Account Executive - Foodservice Sales - Phoenix, AZ

OVERVIEW

We're seeking a high-performing Account Executive (AE) to accelerate sales growth through strategic planning and impactful execution with key foodservice distributor and operator accounts. This role is based in Phoenix and covers a territory spanning the state of Arizona. You'll be part of the high-energy Mustangs Team, which operates across Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, and Western Missouri. Occasional overnight travel may be required.

In this role, you'll lead both distributor and operator relationships across foodservice channels including K-12, Commercial, Healthcare, Lodging, Colleges & Universities, Military, and Business & Industry. You'll identify new growth opportunities and lead efforts to strengthen customer loyalty in a fast-paced, competitive marketplace.

The Phoenix AE position will be responsible for managing and growing sales with key foodservice distributors including Shamrock Arizona, Sysco Arizona, and US Foods Phoenix. Strong candidates for this role will bring a high bias for action, with a proven track record in strategic sales planning, closing deals quickly, negotiating effectively, and building long-term relationships in an ever-changing business environment.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Sales Strategy & Innovation

• Develop a deep understanding of your customers and business to identify and act on growth opportunities
• Lead sales planning and strong execution for your assigned distributors and operators
• Provide clear direction and communicate territory strategy to a Customer Account Specialist in Phoenix
• Use Salesforce daily to track pipeline, manage relationships, and drive execution
• Influence distributor sales teams to prioritize and sell General Mills products
• Create and implement customized marketing programs specific to the accounts within your territory

Business Planning & Executional Excellence

• Execute local sales programs as outlined by Distributor and Non-Commercial National Account Executives
• Launch new products and sales initiatives with operators and distributor partners in your territory
• Manage and maximize ROI for territory budgets including T&E, distributor, and operator budgets
• Negotiate and execute distributor marketing agreements through joint business planning with a pay for performance mindset and win-win scenarios
• Communicate key business updates frequently to the Region Manager and contribute to trade budget planning

Leverage Data & Analytics Tools including Salesforce, Operator Volume Data, and Bid Tool Data to identify and close new opportunities.

• Embrace Salesforce as the daily tool to manage and grow your business:
• Consistently meet or exceed in-person sales Visits goal of 10 per week.
• Create and work a minimum of 74 unique, pre-planned operator opportunities per fiscal half, to be identified, aligned upon with Region Manager and loaded prior to the start of the half.
• Achieve assigned territory volume growth target.
• Ensure activation of 3+ distribution interactions per distributor, per fiscal half. Interactions to include 1 Joint Business Plan Meeting and 2+ A la Carte interactions inclusive of General Sales Meeting, District Sales Meeting, Culinary Meeting and Product Training
• Leverage General Mills data sources to mine for additional opportunities within the territory.

Influential Leadership

• Collaborate with cross-functional peers across North America Foodservice (NAF) segment to grow your business
• Partner closely with Customer Account Specialist to build and execute your strategic territory growth plan
• Build rapport and credibility with external partners to achieve shared goals

Other Responsibilities

• Lead critical distributor and industry events including Distributor Food Shows, Industry Expos, Distributor Sales Meetings, etc.
• Demonstrate product knowledge to operators through at-home and on-site sample preparation and baking across all product platforms.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 Years of Foodservice Selling Experience
• High School Diploma
• Influential Leadership
• Win as a team (team player)
• Self-motivated with ability to maintain workload from remote office
• Demonstrated track record of consistently meeting or exceeding sales targets
• Strong understanding of the sales call process and ability to close deals efficiently

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree
• Operator Management Experience
• Distributor Management Experience
• Marketing Program Negotiation Experience
• Trade Management Experience
• Project Leadership
• Experience with CRM Software and sales analytics tools
• Familiarity with General Mills Product Line

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

• This role is located in Phoenix, AZ or the surrounding area.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. General Mills will not sponsor applicants for a U.S. work visa.
• International relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.

We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best - bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one other and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what's next.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $81000.00 - $121700.00 / Annually. At General Mills we strive for each employee's pay at any point in their career to reflect their experiences performance and skills for their current role. The salary range for this role represents the numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, educations, skills, work experience, certifications, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range. Beyond base salary, General Mills offers a competitive Total Rewards package focusing on your overall well-being. We are proud to offer a foundation of health benefits, retirement and financial wellbeing, time off programs, wellbeing support and perks. Benefits may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors. You may also be eligible to participate in an annual incentive program. An incentive award, if any, depends on various factors, including, individual and organizational performance.

Reasonable Accommodation Request

If you need to request an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please fill out our online accommodations request form by following this link: Accommodations Request.