Foodservice Account Executive - Los Angeles, CA

COMPANY OVERVIEW
We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best — bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one another and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what’s next.​


JOB OVERVIEW
The Account Executive will accelerate sales growth through strategic planning and impactful execution with key foodservice distributors and operator accounts. This role will be in Southern California and cover territories in the Los Angeles Market.
In this role, you'll lead both distributor and operator relationships across foodservice channels including K-12, Commercial, Healthcare, Lodging, Colleges & Universities, and Business & Industry. You’ll identify new growth opportunities and lead efforts to strengthen customer loyalty in a fast-paced, competitive marketplace.
A strong candidate for this role will bring a high bias for action, with a proven track record in strategic sales planning, closing deals quickly, negotiating effectively, and building long-term relationships in an ever-changing business environment.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Sales Strategy & Innovation
Develop a deep understanding of your customers and business to identify and act on growth opportunities
Lead sales planning and strong execution for your assigned distributors and operators
Provide clear direction and communicate territory strategy to a Customer Account Specialist Team who call on distributor operators
Use Salesforce daily to track pipeline, manage relationships, and drive execution
Influence distributor sales teams to prioritize and sell General Mills products
Create and implement customized marketing programs specific to the accounts within your territory
Business Planning & Executional Excellence
Execute local sales programs as outlined by Distributor and Non-Commercial National Account Executives
Launch new products and sales initiatives with operators and distributor partners in your territory
Manage and maximize ROI for territory budgets, including T&E, distributor, and operator budgets
Negotiate and execute distributor marketing agreements through joint business planning with a pay-for-performance mindset and win-win scenarios
Communicate key business updates frequently to the Region Manager and contribute to trade budget planning
Leverage Data & Analytics Tools including Salesforce, Operator Volume Data, and Bid Tool Data to identify and close new opportunities.
Embrace Salesforce as the daily tool to manage and grow your business:
Consistently meet or exceed the in-person sales Visits goal of 10 per week.
Create and work a minimum of 74 unique, pre-planned operator opportunities per fiscal half, to be identified, aligned upon with the Region Manager, and loaded prior to the start of the half.
Achieve assigned territory volume growth target.
Ensure activation of 3+ distribution interactions per distributor, per fiscal half. Interactions to include 1 Joint Business Plan Meeting and 2+ à la Carte interactions inclusive of General Sales Meeting, District Sales Meeting, Culinary Meeting, and Product Training
Leverage General Mills data sources to mine for additional opportunities within the territory.
Influential Leadership
Collaborate with cross-functional peers across North America Foodservice (NAF) segment to grow your business
Partner closely with Customer Account Specialists to build and execute your strategic territory growth plan
Build rapport and credibility with external partners to achieve shared goals
Other Responsibilities
Lead critical distributor and industry events including Distributor Food Shows, Industry Expos, Distributor Sales Meetings, etc.
Demonstrate product knowledge to operators through at-home and on-site sample preparation and baking across all product platforms.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
High School Diploma/ GED with 2 + years of Foodservice, Food & Beverage Industry, or relevant sales experience
Strong ability to use influence to drive successful selling opportunities and drive impact for the business
Willingness to work as a team to drive impactful business results and find win-win situations for all partners
Experience with CRM Software and sales analytics tools
Self-motivated with ability to maintain workload from remote office
Demonstrated track record of consistently meeting or exceeding sales targets
Strong understanding of the sales call process and ability to close deals efficiently
Willingness to travel in market to meet with operators, distributors, and prospective customers, plus occasional overnight travel for key meetings.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s Degree
Operator or Distributor Management, Marketing Program Negotiation or Trade Management experience
Project Leadership
Familiarity with General Mills Product Line
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. General Mills will not sponsor applicants for a U.S. work visa.
International relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.


SALARY RANGE
The salary range for this position is:
$82,400 - $123,800 Annual


At General Mills we strive for each employee's pay at any point in their career to reflect their experiences performance and skills for their current role. The salary range for this role represents the numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, educations, skills, work experience, certifications, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range. ​
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Beyond base salary, General Mills offers a competitive Total Rewards package focusing on your overall well-being. We are proud to offer a foundation of health benefits, retirement and financial wellbeing, time off programs, wellbeing support and perks. Benefits may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors. You may also be eligible to participate in an annual incentive program. An incentive award, if any, depends on various factors, including, individual and organizational performance.


ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must meet a minimum 18-year age qualification.


EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (EOE)​
General Mills is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or familial status, status regarding public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission.


REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUEST
If you need to request an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please fill out our online accommodation request form by following this link: Accommodation Request.