Irca Group Looking for Strategic Accounts Manager at Remote Full Time

Strategic Accounts Manager

IRCA is a prominent international provider of finished goods and semi-finished ingredients for the confection, bakery, frozen dessert markets. They cater to retailers, CPG – food manufacturers and independent producers. The company’s core product offerings consist of chocolate, chocolate and sweet decorations, inclusions and variegates for various end use markets.

Headquartered in Italy, IRCA was acquired by Advent International, a global private equity firm, in July 2022. The company has demonstrated a strong history of growth over the past decade. As part of its growth strategy, IRCA made two bolt-on acquisitions in 2022. They acquired Cesarin, a provider of candied fruits, and Anastasi, a supplier of pistachio ingredients. These acquisitions expanded IRCA’s product portfolio and market reach.

More recently IRCA acquired the Kerry Sweet business, a leading manufacturer of sweet and cereal products in Europe and the US. The target company focuses on high-value specialty ingredients for the Food Manufacturers segment. Their product range includes sweet particulates, chocolate confections, baked inclusions, variegates, and fruit purées. This deal, successfully completed in March of 2023, is a transformative move for IRCA, establishing them as a global leader in the semi-finished ingredients industry.

With this acquisition, IRCA has a combined revenue of €1 billion in 2023 and a presence in 22 manufacturing facilities across Europe, the US, and Vietnam. This expanded manufacturing footprint and diversified product portfolio positions IRCA as a key player in the market, serving a wide range of customers in the bakery, pastry, and gelato sectors, as well as food manufacturers and retailers.

Purpose of Position:

The Strategic Accounts Manager will aggressively grow our business. They will help define commercial strategy for the assigned territory/area/accounts. The strategic focus will be on Walmart/Sams, Aldi, Kroger, Publix and HEB and Midwest/South/East. They will partner with internal teams and customers to develop and amplify current and new Irca group products, define and meet business objectives in terms of sales and gross margin, build and support existing relationships with customers.

Responsibilities

• Help set strategy and fully implement strategy to grow top line revenue and profitability
• Identify opportunities within the strategic customers and deliver on those opportunities through our functional teams
• Identify other target customers through which we can rapidly grow our business
• Work on-site for client engagements to build trusted, collaborative relationships and to identify and implement improvements

· Partner with R&D teams, Plant Leaders to support new product development and feedback of existing products for customers

· Managing pricing strategies for Irca Portfolio of products for existing accounts

· Partner with internal and external marketing teams to create marketing collateral and materials

· Participate in select trade shows, customer visits and supplier meetings as required.

· Troubleshoot and mitigate product performance, delivery, and competitive challenges.

Requirements

· Minimum of 10 years Retail account management for large retailers

· Demonstrated track record of growing business either branded or Private label with key retailers

· Demonstrated track record of project/customer management from ideation to creation to store shelf

· Ability to work with/through/in high performing cross functional teams

· BA/BS degree and background in business, marketing, economics, or equivalent experience.

• Interpersonal Skills – Proven ability to communicate objectively with customers and team members in a manner that maintains confidentiality.
• Business Acumen – Detailed knowledge of profitability/financial metrics, market and competitive landscape to align work with strategic goals and proactively assess business implications of decisions. Proven ability and interest to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional and technical journals.
• Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities. Uses time efficiently and sets goals and objectives. Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner, responds well under pressure. Treats others with respect and consideration. Accepts responsibility for own actions and follows through on commitments.
• Written Communication – Excellent written skills and attention to detail to ensure reports are written accurately. Proven ability to write reports, business correspondence, and marketing materials.
• Presentation Skills – Proven ability to present information in a clear and concise manner and respond to questions from groups of managers and/or customers.
• Computer Skills – Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel and CRM systems

· Must be comfortable with travel up to 50% annually to client sites and domestically in the USA.

Why Join Us:

Irca Group offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits: Medical, Dental, & Vision, 401(k) matching, Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays, Employee Education Tuition Reimbursement Program