Account Specialist, Sr.

PURPOSE:
The Account Specialist Sr is responsible to complete a variety of specialized duties that support functional operations at UNFI. Works with the team and customers to assist with order processing, and communication with vendors, customers, warehouse team, and freight forwarders. Provides recurring reports and develops ad hoc reports needed to monitor company and customer businesses. Analyzes data, prepares, and presents results to identify and/or resolve business problems as well as drive business actions in often-critical areas.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works closely with the sales team. Specific job duties will be ever-changing to meet the demands of the customer but will include work on promos, sales data, reporting, short and overstock issues, show orders, and communication with the customers and vendors directly.
• Responsible for effectively supporting sales representatives and customers through direct customer support by growing relationships with high-profile accounts in specific markets.
• Maintain quality service, and a high level of expertise including data entry, invoicing, and document reviews.
• Assists with export documentation and obtains necessary certificates and filings.
• Prepares order estimates with dating and follows through with all requested changes.
• Works closely on routing and freight forwarders to ensure smooth delivery of all orders.
• Responds to requests from Category Director, Division Manager, or Vendors and make sales calls on potential new or current items with potential sales in specific areas.
• Displays or demonstrates product, applies knowledge of products, and services, and demonstrates benefits and features to promote sales as needed.
• Views or retrieves essential customer information, analyzes missed opportunities for sales, and reviews potential sales with customers.
• Evaluates data using Access, Excel, and other tools to identify root causes and possible solutions to company and customer business issues and to support business project and change needs; sources and manipulates data from company and customer.
• Guides on the pros and cons of possible solutions and recommends business process changes.
• Advise the department management of any delays, problems, and/or questioned any irregularities discovered within assigned orders.
• Reviews information/data and makes decisions within well-defined guidelines, parameters, and instructions.
• Sorts, files, and maintains invoices, receipts, or other special department documentation.
• Provide support to managers and team, assisting in daily office needs.
• Responds to inquiries in the area of responsibility.
• Collects data/information for department use in special projects or reports.
• Updates information and reports typically on the computer.
• Checks information for accuracy.
• Prepares and balances data.
• Answers department phones as needed and routes to appropriate area.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required to work with customs, government agencies, ocean carriers, customers, vendors, and all related parties concerning the import/export process.
• Ability to analyze and resolve complex issues pertaining to our customers, vendors, and 3rd party service providers.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Education/ Certifications: (Required & Preferred)
• Bachelor's or Associate degree preferred, or equivalent work experience
Experience:
• 5+ years of related experience and/or training
Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities:
• Ability to analyze customer departments and determine sales opportunities.
• Ability to prioritize to meet objectives.
• Motivated and self-starter
• Good oral, written, and technical communication skills.
• Good customer relations and diplomacy.
• Good negotiation, organization, and planning skills.
• Excellent presentation skills.
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/ DEMANDS:
• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at desk or computer terminal.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephone and other office equipment in the course of normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.