Key Account Manager

Here at HR Soul, our solutions amplify the performance of people and the soul of company culture. From strategic planning with CEOs, partnering with HR leaders on key projects, building high-performing teams to coaching and recruiting the future of our clients’ organizations.

We're partnering with a growing, innovation-focused food and beverage ingredients company that's looking for an experienced Key Account Manager to build strategic customer partnerships, uncover new opportunities, and bring innovative product concepts from idea to commercialization.

This is not a traditional sales-focused KAM role. We're looking for someone who is naturally curious about products, trends, and innovation and who enjoys getting into the details with R&D, Applications, and customers to develop ideas that create meaningful business opportunities. You'll serve as a strategic partner to a major global customer while also helping expand relationships with their co-packers and broader ecosystem.

The company is entering an exciting period of growth, including the expansion of its U.S. manufacturing footprint, and this role will have significant visibility and influence as the business continues to scale. You'll work closely with U.S. and global teams and have the opportunity to participate in customer innovation sessions, industry events, and international collaboration.

The position will be remote initially, transitioning to a hybrid schedule once the company's new facility is operational. The role will require approximately 30–50% travel, including customer visits, industry events, innovation meetings, and occasional international travel. Relocation assistance may be available for select candidates.

What You'll Do:

• Serve as a strategic partner and primary commercial contact for a major global customer, building relationships across R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, and other key functions
• Develop and execute strategic account plans focused on customer growth, innovation, retention, and long-term partnership
• Build and expand relationships with the customer's broader ecosystem, including co-packers and strategic partners
• Identify opportunities to grow revenue, profitability, and share of wallet through new projects, product concepts, and expanded relationships
• Bring a strong innovation and market-inspiration mindset to the account - identifying trends, ideas, applications, and opportunities that could become new customer solutions
• Partner closely with R&D and Applications to develop and commercialize innovative concepts that address customer needs
• Lead customer innovation presentations and inspiration sessions, working with R&D to develop concepts, product inspirations, and compelling presentations
• Coordinate customer projects from initial concept and brief through sampling, development, and commercialization
• Build strong technical credibility with customers and internal R&D teams - you don't need to be a scientist, but you should be comfortable speaking the language and getting into the details
• Lead customer meetings, tastings, presentations, technical workshops, and innovation sessions
• Monitor food, beverage, flavor, ingredient, and consumer trends to identify opportunities and bring fresh ideas to customers
• Partner with Supply Chain and Operations to support customer needs and ensure strong execution
• Collaborate with Quality, Regulatory, Finance, and other internal functions to deliver seamless customer solutions
• Work with global colleagues across the U.S., Europe, Asia, South America, and other markets to align account strategies and share best practices
• Represent the company at industry conferences, trade shows, customer events, and other strategic gatherings
• Maintain accurate CRM/ERP information, forecasts, account plans, and KPI reporting

We're Looking For:

• 5+ years of experience in Strategic Account Management, Business Development, Strategic Sales, Customer Development, or a similar role
• Experience within food & beverage, flavors, ingredients, specialty ingredients, nutraceuticals, or a related industry highly preferred
• A demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with sophisticated customers and identify opportunities beyond the traditional sales cycle
• Strong commercial acumen, including experience with pricing, negotiations, forecasting, and business development
• A genuine interest in innovation, product development, and market trends - someone who naturally asks, "What else could we do?"
• Experience partnering with R&D, Applications, Product Development, or technical teams
• Ability to understand technical concepts and comfortably engage in conversations with technical and scientific stakeholders
• Strong presentation skills and the ability to turn ideas and market insights into compelling customer-facing stories
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills
• Strategic thinker who can balance customer needs, innovation, and commercial objectives
• Comfortable working in a smaller, entrepreneurial organization where people wear multiple hats and decisions can move quickly
• Ability to collaborate effectively across global teams and cultures
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related field; equivalent experience will also be considered

Bonus Points For:

• Experience working directly with co-packers, contract manufacturers, or strategic supply partners
• Experience developing or presenting innovation concepts, product inspirations, or new applications to customers
• Experience supporting beverage innovation or flavor/product development
• Global or international customer experience
• Experience working with global teams
• Experience working for a smaller or entrepreneurial organization and enjoying the hands-on nature that comes with it
• Familiarity with CRM and ERP systems
• Experience working in a regulated, GMP, food safety, or manufacturing environment

This is an opportunity to have a much bigger impact than simply managing an account. You'll be at the intersection of customer strategy, R&D, innovation, and commercial growth—helping shape what comes next for a major global customer while building relationships across their broader ecosystem.

If you're someone who gets excited about new ideas, product innovation, customer partnerships, and turning "what if?" into "let's build it," we'd love to hear from you.

Diversity Commitment

At HR Soul, we embrace a rich tapestry of backgrounds and experiences within our workplace. We actively encourage applications from women, individuals of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, immigrants, and veterans.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

HR Soul proudly upholds its status as an Equal Opportunity Employer. We prohibit discrimination against any employee or candidate based on various attributes, including but not limited to race (encompassing characteristics historically associated with race such as hair texture and style), color, gender (including pregnancy and related conditions), religion or belief, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, union membership, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable laws.

Inclusivity Commitment

HR Soul and its partners are fully committed to ensuring that all qualified individuals are included. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you need assistance during the job application or interview process, or require accommodations to perform essential job functions, please reach out via our contact page: Contact HR Soul.

Your Rights

HR Soul is dedicated to ensuring that all applicants are aware of their rights concerning workplace discrimination, which is unlawful.

Application Agreement

By applying for this position, you authorize HR Soul to exclusively consider you as a candidate for the specified opportunity. You affirm that the information you provided about your qualifications is true and that you have not misrepresented yourself. Additionally, you agree to keep confidential any details regarding the position that you may learn from HR Soul, sharing such information only as necessary to support your application process. In exchange, HR Soul pledges to make reasonable efforts to represent you throughout the job screening and resume distribution stages.

Salary Transparency Statement

Compensation for this position (and others) at HR Soul is based on multiple factors, including:

• The candidate’s skill set, experience, and education
• Required licenses and certifications
• Geographic location of the office
• Additional business and organizational considerations

In line with local regulations, HR Soul provides a salary range that reflects a reasonable estimate of the base pay for this role in areas where salary disclosure is mandated.