Key Acct Rep, Customer Dev Canada TEMP

We are seeking a Key Account Representative (12-month contract) to join our team in Ontario, Canada. As the Key Account Representative, you will be accountable for driving foodservice channel growth across the territory by executing sales objectives, strengthening broker partnerships, and developing incremental business with distributors, independent operators, and chain accounts. This role plays a critical part in expanding customer relationships, identifying new opportunities, and ensuring clear, timely communication across internal and external stakeholders.

Core Accountabilities (What You’ll be Doing) 

• Work in conjunction with Director Customer Development Manager to implement programs for new business growth, and region financial management. Works to obtain and exceed current budget and profit goals.
• Develop, implement, and manage broker sales strategy and tactics.  Work in partnership with the Region Manager and broker sales team to deliver sales objectives for the territory. 
• Managing existing business through pricing negotiations, contract extensions, RFP’s, new item placements, etc. 
• Prospecting new customers and business.  Manages product development process and commercialization with internal cross functional teams.
• Planning – identify menu gaps, promotional opportunities, and key development initiatives to gain incremental sales.
• Budget – Work to develop and manage budgets pertaining to sales, margin, program funds, and allowances.
• Forecasting – direct responsibility for managing product forecasting and roll outs of new foods.
• Team – work with partner functions such as Marketing to identify and pursue ideas, projects, opportunities that have the biggest sales and margin potential.
• Communication – raise awareness of account issues, opportunities, and results through weekly C4C status report, and constant discussion horizontally and vertically throughout the organization.
• Represent Aspire Bakeries at tradeshows and Customer Conferences as needed.
• Maintain customer correspondence and price quote files and ensure that we have the correct financial documentation and back-up.
• Develop knowledge of our Bakeries, Capabilities, Categories, and Food handling.  Communicate those attributes through training and interaction with customers and brokers.
• Interact with other departments in the organization to ensure the proper management of customer requirements.
• The Key Account Representative will be required to manage and follow the travel related expense policy set and listed in the guidelines held in relation to reimbursement when traveling to customers on behalf of ASPIRE BAKERIES. 

Minimum Qualifications (What You Bring to the Table)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business, Communication, Culinary or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must have foodservice experience with a proven track record of success Broker, Distributor, or Operator level.  Must have customer intimacy and experience with assigned accounts within the territory footprint.
• Proficient in MS Office, specifically PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
• 10% to 25% travel is required.
• Candidate must be based near a major airport within the geography.  No relocation is available for this position.
• Must have excellent communication skills and be able to collaborate well with others.
• The successful candidate will have a heavy focus on new business generation but must be able to also manage and grow existing customer base.
• Previous, demonstrated success in achieving incremental product placement with major accounts resulting from specific initiatives.
• Broker management experience is a plus.
• Prior Bakery experience and or a culinary background preferred.  Excellent interpersonal and written and spoken communication skills needed.
• Ability to survive and thrive in an opportunistic, but fairly unstructured, environment.