Regional Account Manager - Cleveland

Regional Account Manager

Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Role Type: Permanent

ITG Brands is the third-largest tobacco company in the USA with offerings of some of the most well-known cigarette, cigar, and e-vapor brands. As a member of the globally recognized Imperial Brands PLC family, we are a forward-thinking partner with operational integrity.

ITG Brands is committed to putting consumers at the center of what we do, while creating an innovative workplace where inclusion, creativity, and bold thinking drive progress. This empowers us to bring our true selves to work, to collaborate more effectively through showing our passion and being confident to bring new ideas to the table.

We are not afraid to seize opportunities and make things happen - both individually and collaboratively. We strive to exceed expectations by seeing things differently and doing things differently. This truly is a place where we all share a challenger mindset which drives our success.

Job Summary

Serve as face of the Company with regional customers across multiple fronts, including consumer insights, collaborative customer marketing, industry relations, issues / policies, sales technologies, and category management. Use judgment, skill, and discretion to lead and develop collaborative / strategic partnership with regional customers. You will also lead the Company's representation at the headquarter level of assigned Chain retail and Wholesale accounts and be responsible for development of strategic relations, business plans and execution impacting performance across all the accounts in the respective divisions. Oversees and manages activities that create a sustainable competitive advantage for the Company.

What You Will Do

Engages with Customer Marketing team to share key customer requirements and identify opportunities for leverage within accounts. Selects and implements Customer Development strategies and plans initiating a Joint Business Planning (JBP) process at selected top retail accounts. Partners with and negotiates with assigned Regional Customers (Chain and Wholesale) to drive alignment between the Company and the customer objectives. Manages relationships and form a strong partnership with customer senior management (Chain and Wholesale) representing "One Company" across the 3 business units. Identifies and pursues incremental opportunities to shape the customer's current and future business practices to grow the Company's brand share while strengthening the Company as a preferred vendor partner. Negotiates, sells, and maintains effective retail partnership agreements in chain retail stores. Negotiates, sells, and maintains effective wholesale partnership agreements in wholesale accounts. Develops, compares, and evaluates selling plans that resonate with chain retailer customers that encompass all product categories. Collaborate with Area/Region/Division resources to identify sales opportunities that can be acted upon to drive sales performance. Accountable for selling and gaining commitment of customer joint business plans (JBP) on a monthly or quarterly basis that delivers on the Company's assigned Sales KPI's - of volume, distribution, share and other key Brand initiative and strategic objectives. Customize, tailor, and link the Company's strategies, plans, and key initiatives with the customer's key strategies and tactical plans. Measures and enforces all requirements of our retail partnership agreements in assigned retail stores. Maximize effectiveness of all Chain Merchandising Fixtures/Displays/POS to present a competitive merchandising advantage at retail. Maximize effectiveness of all Company programs and guidelines to Wholesale customers. Deploys retail execution guidelines and key objectives to Retail selling organization to maximize in-store sales results. Coordinates communication between the customer and the Company's senior sales and division management teams. Partners with the Company's Insights team to customize and align Category Leadership story and business drivers in all key selling materials. Collaborates with internal Customer Marketing and Brand Marketing teams on initiative plan development and execution details. Collaborates with key functional stakeholders (Commercial Finance, Customer Service, Regulatory) on key matters pertaining to their assigned strategic customers Interacts with Area Management regarding all aspects of the customer business plans and address key issues and opportunities. Solicits and analyze customer and competitive insights to identify critical sales opportunities and provide solutions to Senior Leadership. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Minimum Qualifications:

High School Diploma/GED with 3+ years related sales experience.

Experience to include, but not limited to, regional customer management experience within the Broader Consumer Products Industry.

Experience selling to Convenience channel, Mass, Wholesale and/or Specialty Tobacco channels.

Must be 21 years of age or older.

Must possess a valid driver's license issued from state of residence.

Knowledge of:

Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, & PowerPoint) and Microsoft Teams

Skilled in:

Verbal and written communication

Attention to detail

Problem/situation analysis

Effective time and task management

Multitasking capabilities

Flexibility and adaptability

Building strong business relationships with customers

Ability to:

Work independently with limited supervision.

Analyze options and recommend actions.

Negotiate and create alignment.

Communicate to a broad and diverse audience.

Maintain effective working relationships.

Demonstrate critical thinking.

Work with diverse populations and varying education levels.

Receive and communicate information orally and in writing.

Prioritize assignments, workload, and manage time accordingly.

Ability to effectively monitor category performance with planning and communication.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field of study

1+ years sales managerial experience

Work Environment and Physical Demand:

Employee must live within the boundary of the assignment or be willing to relocate

Requires moderate physical effort. Occasionally lifts or moves light objects (10-50 lbs.)

Able to bend, crouch, stretch, climb, or reach in retail environments

Walks, sits, or stands for extended periods

Travel required based on assignment needs

Occasional exposure to noise, dust, or weather

Operates in a retail and wholesale environment

Requires prolonged machine operation including vehicle, computer, and keyboard equipment

This job description is intended to be generic in nature and describe the essential functions of the job. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities, and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.