SUMMARY:
The National Account Manager leads and directs the execution of category\brand strategies at the customer that deliver Smead category and product goals and is responsible for achieving customer scorecard targets as assigned by the VP of Sales.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
 Develops the Customer Strategic Business Plan and maintains the Customer Profile and supporting information for use within the organization to communicate and monitor customer objectives and strategies with Smead management.
 Owns and leads development and implementation of strategic business planning and category planning activities with customer and is accountable for achievement of Smead business targets at the customer as agreed to by VP of Sales.
 Provides sales input to the research plan development
 Participates in qualifying new product concepts with selective customers
 Coordinates identification and response to customer initiatives with Category and Channel Development and leads collaborative planning activities with assigned customers and Category and Channel Managers to address these initiatives.
 Conducts regularly scheduled category business reviews with customers to insure consistent alignment and support for the implementation of category initiatives, which includes new item placement, assortment, catalog merchandising, shelf merchandising, promotion planning, end-user and retail pricing, and supply chain process improvements.
 Monitors category and product performance versus targets at the customer, evaluates the impact of strategic and tactical initiatives, and takes corrective action, as needed, to insure achievement of business goals.
 Provides insights and business forecasts for assigned customers in support of the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) development.
 Monitors the business trends and adjusts financial forecasts, as needed, to insure financial and operating plans reflect accurate and timely information from key customers.
 Gains access and develops productive business relationships with senior level (VP and Director) and middle level managers across functions at the customer to further enhance the strategic importance and performance of Smead at the customer.
 Acts as the key interface contact with the customer across multiple customer functional departments and facilitates access and support from Smead functional experts (e.g. Supply Chain, Category Planning, New Product Development) at the customer.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
• BS Degree is required – MBA preferred
• 10 Years of directly related sales and business development experience in a consumer driven organization.

Required Experience & Knowledge:

• Ability to lead through influence in a matrix environment
• High Customer orientation:  recognition and credibility with the customer as a trusted, collaborative and productive Harman partner.  Understands what it takes to win in the market place.
• New Product Development: demonstrated track record of growing/extending existing product lines.
• High Financial Aptitude:  possesses strong business acumen; numbers-driven
• Detail-oriented: holds others accountable for commitments.
• Cross-functional experience:  participation in a global team selling effort which requires development of collaborative plans with members of other sales groups, product groups, operations, marketing, etc. 
• Strong negotiation and business development acumen.