Key Account Analyst

Sun Gro Horticulture is one of the most prominent North American horticultural companies, employing over 800 staff and serving customers worldwide. Since its humble beginnings in 1929, it has become the leading supplier of soilless growing mixes to North America’s top 100 greenhouse and nursery growers, shipping over 70,000 truckloads of product annually. Sun Gro products are made to exacting standards and conform to high product quality and performance criteria.

Sun Gro Horticulture recognizes that its success is due to the strength of its employees. A primary goal of Sun Gro® is to promote individual employees’ sense of accomplishment and contribution so that employees enjoy their association with Sun Gro Horticulture. The Company invests in its employees so that they are the most knowledgeable in the industry, and undertakes great efforts to nurture loyalty to, and teamwork at, Sun Gro.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

• Assist the Key Accounts Team with planning, organization, and control of the total selling effort.
• Manage price effectively through Finance to maximize Area and Company profitability.
• Support and achieve sales budget objectives and plans as assigned.
• Communicate effectively with contacts of key accounts, working closely with Key Account Managers.
• Control and monitor sales expense budgets conforming to the expense plan guidelines and policies.
• Work with other internal departments as needed for product development, claims resolution, marketing needs, etc.
• Work as key contact for any shared customers assigned.
• Work as the company’s sales representative in all settings both internally and externally.
  
  

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for supporting Key Accounts team, delivering combined product group sales in product portfolio according to approved sales budgets and marketing plans.
• Responsible for implementing/controlling approved sales/marketing programs and procedures.
• Work with sales processes through The Demand Teams including Portfolio Management, Tech Management, Customer Care, Credit, and Production.
• Initiate, monitor, and recommend sales programs which are realistic and measurable as well as a timetable for accomplishment to capitalize on opportunities.
• Actively understand and support all Key Account systems/portals and support Key Account Managers
• Mine POS data from all Key Accounts and report weekly
• Become Salesforce expert for all Key Accounts
• Coordinate all Key Account shows, including theme, product, marketing needs, staffing, and booth layout
• Work closely with Key Account Managers, and marketing on line review decks, keeping topical, fresh, and specific to needs.
• Attend scheduled Sales and Operations meetings and calls, representing all Key Accounts
• Coordinate and update new and existing contracts for all Key Accounts
• Generate Key Account reports specific to customers on weekly basis or as needed, using cube reports or Jet. Be the report expert for Key Accounts group.
• Communication with National Key Accounts Mgr. about any and all factors or activities which affect your accounts directly or indirectly and also other various company departments.
• Participate in regional and National meetings to plan and analyze business strategies and activities.
• Attend trade events such as shows, seminars, and associations as needed.
• Maintain pricing and plans for house accounts assigned.
• Properly handle all customer requests, problems, or special situations relating to our product and service performance.
• Exercise proper care in handling all company materials and assets so that the appearance and condition is such that it will create a favorable impression at all times.
• Work with Key Account Managers to support forecasting system and participate in demand calls.
• Timely submission of forecasts, sales reports & expense reports as required to meet monthly deadlines.
• Establish realistic performance management achievement levels based on company overall Performance Management Process.
• Focus to keep safety first and foremost in all activities.
• Look appropriate and professional in all internal and external functions.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.
  
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong customer focus - includes the ability to balance the needs of the customer with the needs of the business as well as fostering a strong customer focus mindset.
• Strong Fact-Based Decision-Making skills – supports decisions with data and uses data to solve problems.
• Ability to Establish Plans – set clear, measurable goals, anticipating roadblocks and adjusts for problems, can accurately assess the length and difficulty of tasks.
• Change Champion – able to communicate changes, remove obstacles and understand who needs to be involved in driving changes.
• Strong execution skills – can provide support without removing responsibility, monitors progress to ensure achievement of goals, coordinate with other work groups.
• Creates an environment that fosters process improvement and challenges the status quo to eliminate non-value-added work.
• Computer skills a must, including but not limited to Microsoft 365 Suite, including Excel, Outlook, and Power Point.
• Positive, can-do attitude.
  
  

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors degree or 3+ years of sales, or sales support, experience.
• Professional knowledge and skills required and an appropriate comprehensive technical industry background.
• Experience selling and/or supporting/managing relationships with national retailers is preferred.
• Knowledge of or experience with Hardware Coops is a plus.
• Ability to be agile, learn, and contribute to the team.
  
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This job is in an office environment (remote possible, if not within a commutable distance to a Sun Gro office/plant location), requiring the use of standard office equipment, computers, phones, scan/copy, and filing.
  
  

Sun Gro Horticulture is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Sun Gro Horticulture encourages and welcomes applications from people with disabilities.

Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.