Now Hiring - Advanced Fresh Concepts Corporation - National Strategic Account Manager in Cincinnati, OH

Full description of the position

National Strategic Account Manager We're hiring! AFCFC is seeking a highly motivated National Strategic Account Manager to join our team! About Us Since 1986, we've been redefining fresh and convenient dining as North America's largest franchisor of supermarket-based food service counters featuring sushi and other authentic Asian-inspired cuisine. Our well-loved brands, ZENSHI Handcrafted Sushi and Wild Blue Sushi , are trusted names that bring flavor and freshness to communities every day. With thousands of locations across the U.S. and Canada, we've built our reputation on quality, consistency, and innovation. Every dish we serve is freshly prepared with premium ingredients carefully packaged and designed for today's on-the-go lifestyle. As the industry leader, we're passionate about delivering the perfect balance of taste, quality, and convenience. But what truly sets us apart is our people, the dedicated teams who bring our mission to life each day. If you're looking to grow with a company that values innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement, we invite you to join us and shape the future of fresh dining. About the Role The National Strategic Account Manager will be responsible for leading both the growth of new business opportunities and the deep development of existing client relationships. This hybrid role blends high-level strategic sales execution with a strong emphasis on account retention, expansion, and service excellence. The successful candidate will drive incremental revenue through consultative selling, develop and optimize partnerships with key accounts, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless implementation and continued success of client programs. Key Responsibilities & Duties Account Development & Retention * Serve as the primary contact for key accounts, building long-term trusted relationships. * Analyze account performance and identify opportunities for growth, upsell, or cross-sell. * Develop and execute account-specific growth plans in collaboration with internal teams. * Monitor customer satisfaction and proactively resolve issues to strengthen loyalty. Strategic Sales & Business Development * Identify, pursue, and close new business opportunities across retail, food service, healthcare, and other targeted channels. * Create compelling, data-informed sales proposals aligned with customer needs and company capabilities. * Build executive-level relationships both vertically and horizontally within client organizations. * Lead negotiations and manage full sales cycle from prospecting to execution. Cross-Functional Collaboration * Partner with operations, marketing and product teams to align account strategies with overall business goals. * Support and guide field teams with account insights. * Drive the execution of new product introductions, merchandising initiatives, and strategic marketing campaigns. * Mediate client-franchisee challenges by working collaboratively with Field Ops and internal stakeholders. Performance Tracking & Reporting * Set and monitor quarterly goals and KPIs for assigned accounts. * Provide regular reporting on account performance, revenue forecasts, and pipeline health. * Stay current on competitor activity to identify new opportunities and threats. * Collaborate with Operations to develop action plans for underperforming accounts/franchisees Client Experience Excellence * Act as a proactive problem solver for client concerns and operational challenges. * Ensure high levels of customer service are consistently delivered. * Other related duties as assigned by management. Qualifications & Skills * Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Hospitality, or related field. * Minimum 5 years' experience in national account management, strategic sales, or business development. * Proven ability to grow large accounts and close new business. * Experience working with national retailer or food service providers (Direct management of Kroger, Albertsons, and/or Canadian grocers highly desired) * Exceptional relationship management and negotiation skills. * Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills. * Ability to travel up to 40% nationally. * Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) Ideal Candidate Profile A commercially driven individual who balances strategic thinking with tactical execution, excels in both client-facing interactions and internal collaboration, and is passionate about creating value for both the company and its customers. Physical Requirements * Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. * Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times. Employee Offered Benefits What 's On the Menu for You? (Compensation & Benefits) We don't just serve fresh sushi, we serve fresh opportunities! Here's a taste of what you can expect: * Competitive Pay Package (see salary range listed) * Annual Bonus Opportunity (Discretionary) - up to 10% of base salary * Competitive Health & Wellness Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance -100% covered by AFC for you and all eligible dependents. Yes, seriously!) * 401(k) with Company Match * Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays including a Floating Holiday to celebrate your birthday * Special Employee Anniversary Milestone Gift * Other Employee Discounts * Employee Referral Bonus * A friendly & positive work culture which inspires collaboration, recognizes accomplishments, and fosters continuous growth, creating not just a workplace, but a community where people truly thrive. Location: Cincinnati, OH AFCIndeed Job Type: Full-time Pay: $105,000.00 - $123,000.00 per year Benefits: * 401(k) * 401(k) matching * Dental insurance * Health insurance * Life insurance * Paid time off * Vision insurance Education: * Bachelor's (Required) Experience: * Negotiation: 5 years (Required) * Management: 5 years (Required) * Marketing: 5 years (Required) * Strategic Sales: 5 years (Required) * Business development: 5 years (Required) * National Account management: 5 years (Required) * Food industry: 5 years (Required) Willingness to travel: * 50% (Required) Work Location: On the road