Key Account Specialist, Albertson

At Lindt, we are a global fast-growing consumer goods company, enchanting the world with premium chocolate. We are driven by our passion for excellence and go the extra mile ensuring that every Lindt experience is nothing short of exceptional. Our collective efforts are geared towards making a positive impact, not only in the world of premium chocolate but also in the lives of our employees, customers, and communities. Our company embraces a culture defined by the core values of Excellence, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Responsibility, and Collaboration, fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment where these principles drive our success.

Position Purpose:

The individual in this position will partner with the Albertsons Team Leader and National Account Manger to sell and execute Lindt Everyday and Seasonal programs at assigned Albertsons Companies Divisions. The KAS will also serve as Lindt retail coordinator to work with our 3^rd Party (Premium Retail) to get monthly executional plans and directives to the sales reps. Additional responsibilities would be special projects, giving upward feedback from the Divisions to help Team Lead design best in class Corporate Strategies, new item set-ups, and participate in annual planning and internal presentations.

Sales & Account Management

• Utilize syndicated and proprietary data to deliver in-depth analysis and actionable insights, supporting the sustained growth of Lindt & Sprungli USA. Additionally, report data and insights on a weekly, monthly, or as-needed basis.
• Compile monthly Division business updates for review with the Team Leader (TL) and National Account Manager (NAM). Include insights, risks and opportunities to the business.
• Partner with the RGM Manager and Category Advisor to develop seasonal debriefs and post promo analyses for internal distribution and for Albertsons.
• Create call summaries for internal stakeholders following all major customer meetings.
• Collaborate with the Customer Specialist (CS) to ensure new items and programs are accurately set up and submitted on time in customer systems.
• Develop and submit quarterly retail priorities to our 3rd party merchandiser (Premium Retail), while analyzing KPI performance to identify opportunities and highlight successes.
• Drive retail execution across the assigned region by ensuring planograms, displays, and promotional priorities are executed consistently at store level.
• Establish and maintain effective customer wiring within the region to drive alignment, support field execution, and quickly resolve issues as they arise.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Monitor division performance and profitability to ensure results, plans, and programs remain within trade budget, while keeping overall Lindt & Sprungli USA profitability in mind. Provide recommendations as needed.

• Conduct routine promotional analysis to assess efficiency and effectiveness of trade spending and make recommendations to the TL/NAM as needed to optimize future planning and support initiatives.
• Partner with TL/NAM in the management of accurate monthly rolling forecasts in the planning systems.

• Collaborate with Demand Consensus Group (including Finance, the planning group and Marketing) to deliver relevant information that provides value to each of their respective departments.

Order & Inventory Management

• Perform detailed opportunity gap and potential sales analysis to determine recommended order quantities for Monthly Displays / LTOs / Seasonal programs by Division.
• Partner with TL/NAM and cross functional teams to ensure alignment on ordering recommendations.
• Track division orders vs. commitments for everyday and seasonal programs to ensure compliance.

Product Development & Innovation

• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of the Lindt & Sprungli product portfolio and brand positioning to support fact based selling, staying current on brand strategy and promotional initiatives.
• Monitor competitive product and promotional activity and provide recommendations based on findings.