Golden State Foods is hiring a Strategic Account Director to seek new business opportunities for GSF products and solutions tailored to Chick Fil A needs and growth plans.  Meeting established marketing goals, this individual will develop and execute in partnership with cross functional teams the long-term strategy between Chick Fil A and GSF.  Manages customer relations between Chick Fil A and GSF manufactured products to include liquid, dairy and aseptic products, to ensure high quality customer service, rapid problem response and resolution, and proper understanding and use of GSF products.  Assists other departments as necessary to ensure positive customer experiences.   Lead our milk dispenser business and direct reports.

• Maintains and services current customer relationships with Chick Fil A in accordance with GSF sales management directives as well as GSF values and creed. Develops strong relationships with key stakeholders of Chick Fil A through formal and informal communications, site visits, attending store openings, meetings, social functions, and training to provide high quality customer service, rapid problem response and resolution, and proper understanding and use of GSF products. (20%)
• Initiates, establishes and maintains strong relationships for potential Chick Fil A dedicated solutions, through formal and informal communications, site visits, attending store openings, meetings, social functions, and training to provide high quality customer service, rapid problem response and resolution, and proper understanding and use of GSF products. Acts as liaison between GSF and Chick Fil A providing feedback to GSF sales management regarding customer needs, business issues, product concerns, future plans, and perceptions of GSF products and services to enhance customer service. (20%)
•  Plans and facilitates quarterly business reviews with Chick Fil A Supply Chain Management to ensure ongoing, high quality customer service and responsiveness. Performs other related and assigned duties as necessary. Also, participates on Chick Fil A councils and special project teams to provide input and direction on Chick Fil A strategic initiatives and menu development.  (10%)
•  Hire, train and develop direct reports on GSF manufacturing capabilities, key internal relationships and processes with the goal of achieving empowering account management and personal career development (10%)
•  Develops and updates account specific business strategy specifically for Chick Fil A, with the purpose of maintaining strategic direction and business focus. Collaborate and co-ordinate cross functional input that results in a multi-faceted model. (10%)
•  Provides written reports of market status and sales activities to sales management, including: Weekly project schedules, account updates, volume reports and trip reports where appropriate. Prepares and achieves approved budget and financial targets. (5%)
•  Maintains customer contact when requested by finance department to assure the collection of receivables to achieve profitability goals. (5%)
•  Works with customer service to ensure correct and timely processing of a variety of documents including order adjustments, variances, special deliveries, and product complaints to maintain complete and accurate records. Disseminates information to customers regarding orders, product, order processing, production issues, delivery issues, or other concerns. Co-operates with QA and regulatory personnel to investigate and assist in the evaluation of field complaints. (5%)
•  Conducts plant tours for new and potential customers to explain GSF production procedures and to highlight GSF’s attention to sanitation, food safety, and customer satisfaction. (5%)
•  Coordinates with product development, purchasing and finance departments in determining product pricing and submits for approval to national accounts director. (5%)  

Education/Certification:

Bachelor’s degree in food science or business administration from an accredited college or university

Experience:

10 or more years of relevant experience in sales, customer service or marketing at the mid-management level or above.

Knowledge, Skills and Performance Abilities

Knowledge:

• Dedicated account management
• Sales targeting, prospecting and account development.
• Motivation, management and development of direct reports.
• Customer service concepts and techniques.
• Order management, delivery management and sales development tracking concepts and techniques.
• Industry practices, competition and products.
• Competitive landscape and competitive activity within accounts.
• National foodservice chain accounts and network.
• Financial and accounting concepts.
• GSF products and manufacturing processes and practices.
• New customer product standards and requirements.
• Food safety, storage, and shipment of food products.
• Distribution concepts and techniques.
• Product liability, government food safety guidelines, and customs regulations.
• Quality assurance techniques and applications.
• PC word processing and spreadsheet software applications.
• Supervisory concepts and techniques.

Skill and ability to:

• Communicate and coordinate effectively with internal and external customers verbally and in writing
• Develop long-term, high level relationships with customers
• Analyze and resolve complex problems
• Interpret customer service problems or anomalies and identify appropriate solutions
• Travel via airplane and drive an automobile
• Generate product and service literature
• Work effectively in a general business environment, with a focus on high levels of quality and customer service
• Act in accordance with GSF’s Values and Creed

Performance abilities:

• Productivity/quality standards:  responsiveness and reliability
• Productivity/quality standards:  accuracy, timeliness, thoroughness
• Productivity/quality standards:  customer service and satisfaction
• Productivity/quality standards:  professional interaction with customers
• Contact with key Chick Fil A staff
• Budget
• Teamwork within the department and across departments
• Project management