KEY ACCOUNT SPECIALIST, TARGET (JLB)

About jlb:

jlb is an award-winning, retail consulting firm that is passionate about helping brands succeed at Target, and Target win in the marketplace.  For almost 40 years, we’ve helped launch and grow some of the most innovative brands at Target, including Hero Cosmetics, Method, Olly, and hundreds more like them. We offer Sales and Strategy, Business Insights, Consumer Research, Category Management, Digital Services, Trend, Creative, and Retail Service, delivering a customized approach based on the unique needs of each client.  Our collaborative team of passionate employees come from a variety of backgrounds including emerging brands, large CPGs, and of course, Target.

The Team:

The JLB Sales & Account Management team helps brands grow at Target, and Target win in the marketplace. We intimately understand Target’s strategy and can help translate brand ideas into business opportunities. Our experienced team guides our clients through all stages of Target, from launch to execution.

The Role:

As an Key Account Specialist, you are responsible for executing best-in-class services to meet and exceed our client partners growth and profitability goals.

As a Key Account Specialist:

• Be an advocate on behalf of your clients, helping them solve problems and understand the needs of Target, and be successful in their business
• Own and Execute Business Reporting including Weekly Sales & POS Reporting and Ad-Hoc Reports
• Be a master of item setup, master item listings and the item maintenance process of your vendors including conducting on-going item accuracy audits and maintenance both for Target and Target.com
• Conduct on-going analysis of your client’s omni-channel assortment performance, and identify issues and root-causes, ultimately solving vendor performance issues or problems
• Assist total Sales Team in executing operational management of business item management, sample management, shipment tracking, meeting preparation (including line reviews and “top-to-tops”)
• Build relationships with key client and Target partner contacts, learning to translate needs into action
• Demonstrate an ability to collaborate internally across all functions of jlb 

What You’ll Bring:

• Curiosity
• A passion for all things Target
• Organized with the ability to multitask and prioritize work deliverables
• Analytical skills, great attention to detail & data accuracy
• Excellent customer service & interpersonal skills – With a positive attitude
• High communication skills: written, verbal, follow up, presentation and follow-through
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel

The Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management, and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers, and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics, and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Essential Responsibilities
Revenue Budget Achievement
• Research and implement effective strategies for clients so they can meet business objectives, including revenue and market share objectives
• Make recommendations for how clients can achieve financial targets
Analysis and Presentations
• Analyze data to identify trends and recommend opportunities for improvement and reduce competitive threats
• Develop and conduct negotiations to maximize profitability and maintain positive relationships
• Build sales presentations for key clients and make client recommendations for customer presentations
Client Key Performance Indicators Achievement
• Analyze performance metrics of assigned clients and make recommendations for improvement
• Recommend ways to improve business margin for clients and recommend action plans
• Strategize on how to maximize marketing spend to achieve client’s financial goals.
• Review marketing schematics on behalf of customers, and coordinate closely with cross-functional stakeholders in our schematic, reset and retail departments
Data Systems & Reporting
• Drive cross-collaboration among all other internal teams
• Analyze data reports to ensure financial performance meets forecasted targets
• Drive alignment across KAMs, highlighting key opportunities and challenges and also suggesting resolutions to issues

Supervisory Responsibilities
Direct Reports
- This position does not have supervisory responsibilities for direct reports
Indirect Reports
- Does not have direct reports, but may delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Minimum Qualifications
Education Level: (Required): Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
1-3+ Years of experience with grocery operations, including promotional planning activities, systems experience preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Strong presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Working knowledge of syndicated data
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Intermediate or advanced computer skills
• Strong written communication and verbal communication skills
• Conflict management skills
• Demonstrated ability to provide cross-functional leadership
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle a fast-paced work environment
• Flexible and adaptable, able to change and alter according to changes in projects or business environment
• Ability to complete multiple duties with accuracy shifting from one to another with frequent interruptions and competing deadlines

Environmental & Physical Requirements
Office / Sedentary Requirements
Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Typically, requires the abilty to sit for extended periods of time (66%+ each day), ability to hear telephone, ability to enter data on a computer and may require the ability to lift up to 10lbs.

Additional Information Regarding Job Duties and Job Descriptions
Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job positions, or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of associates so classified.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by law.