Under limited supervision, the Account Executive provides leadership, accountability, and stewardship over multiple customers to include Warehouse Distributor (WD) and Regional account business. This role is responsible for profitable growth and all elements related to serving our account base including winning business with new customers.
Generally, this role has an estimated unit volume of 75,000 units or more annually.
- Manages multiple WD and Regional customers and leverages internal resources to grow the book of business.
- Manages growth plans (internal) that stretch and achieve share gains greater than the industry and account plans (shared externally) that tie to strategy and growth planning for businesses.
- Presents updated growth plans (quarterly) and account plans (monthly) to leadership.
- Leads and manages account plans weekly with support from a cross-functional core team.
- Schedules and leads business meetings, quarterly business reviews, line reviews, and where applicable RFQs. Incorporates cross-functional team members as needed. (i.e., Marketing, Category Mgmt, Field Activation, Finance, Demand Planning, etc.).
- Completes customer engagement reports that are specific and justify travel related spend.
- Provides sell-in and executes annual pricing actions well in advance of start date.
- Manages and leads core teams on all internal/external account deliverables
- Schedules performance meetings and drives committed actions to completion
- Manages up – informs management of poor performance and suggests mitigation
- Uses Corrective Action Planning CAP) to enable tasks or projects to complete on time
- Responsible for pricing gaps; opportunities to leverage price should be priority and market based (retail and cost).
- Facilitates internal communication so that affected Interstate departments and Distributors are aware of relevant account development.
- Cultural: Be a champion within company and beyond for our Purpose and Values.
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college/university or equivalent work experience
- 3+ years’ experience working in the Automotive and Commercial aftermarket
- Sales Account Management or Category Management experience preferred.
- Business Acumen that reflects vision, capabilities, accountability and performance with Interstate executive leadership and C-level account leadership. Identifies decision makers (Mobilizers vs Blockers).
- Leadership skills that are exceptional. Have the ability to lead cross-functional teams, build relationships internally and manage projects.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and be proactive in identifying issues and recommending solutions.
- Highly motivated individual with excellent negotiation, influencing, and interpersonal skills.
- Solid strategic and analytical skills. Deep understanding of financials, pricing, and P&L impact of sales decisions.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings and/or weekends as needed. (Travel required approximately 25-40% to ensure interaction with customers and HQ, as well as ensuring presence at customer events, etc.).
- SME on the assigned accounts and implement approved changes to the customer program.
- Works with internal departments toward the completion of critical projects.
- Ability to sustain posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time.
- Regularly required to use hands to grasp or handle, talk and hear, stand and walk.
- Specific vision abilities include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
- May be exposed to battery warehouse conditions such as exposure to moving equipment mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals.