Key Account Specialist at BALL HORTICULTURAL COMPANY – West Chicago, Illinois

The Key Account Specialist will deliver a high-level of service to Ball’s Key Account portfolio. We provide a key role when delivering our customers-product knowledge, highest efficiency order entry, extreme attention to detail and order analytics. You are to ensure business procedures are performed efficiently and accurately. We strive to identify innovative opportunities to apply new process solutions to improve customer experiences with the goal of driving sales and increasing profitability.

The Key Account team is continuously working in relationship with other team members including breeding companies, IT, supply chain, and sales management. This role is responsible for facilitating meetings with breeding companies, ensuring programs are set with pricing, and overall management of assigned customers.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

• All aspects of customer ordering from initial order entry through to delivery tracking to taking ownership of orders associated with Key accounts which extends beyond order entry.
• Understanding the full process of what it takes to finalize the complete sale which happens with delivery of orders.
• Historical and current customer ordering data analytics.
• Ability to be self-reliant when it comes to data and analytics.
• Compiling sales and forecast reporting when needed.
• Working with customers to confirm rebooking of orders and identifying any changes in programs.
• Organization and prioritization of actionable tasks and communication.
• Must have the ability to organize and prioritize tasks whether they’re maintenance tasks or immediate actionable items.
• Provide fast-paced solutions to customer issues and concerns.
• Customers expect key accounts support to be able to provide options and solutions for order issues at a moment’s notice.
• Weekly calls with customers.
• Working in relationships with other team members.
• Key accounts customer service needs to function as a team supporting each other as needed.
• Direct communication with customers, all departments within Ball Seed and all business units within Ball Horticultural Company.
• Key account support requires a high level of comfort and professionalism when communicating with customers. The customer is looking for confidence in relaying information and understanding product sourcing necessary for securing orders. Understanding product and supply chain provides opportunities to grow sales especially in the area or proprietary products
• Communication to supply chain regarding forecasting, program changes, timing of new/existing programs.

• 2-3 years of customer service, marketing or inside sales experience required.
• Associate degree or equivalent in business, marketing, sales and/or horticulture viewed favorably.
• PC knowledge to include strong proficiency with Microsoft office products.
• Self-motivated about continuous learning.
• Experience in a broker industry where products are drop-shipped from third party suppliers to customers preferred
• High-level computer skills to support advanced SAP functions and transactions highly desirable
• Knowledge of global horticulture business model; including horticulture lifecycle of product development, manufacturing, quality control, sales and distribution of seeds, young plants, or related industries.
• Demonstrated excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize accordingly while having a strong attention to detail.
• Establish and maintain a positive and professional relationship with all customers, team members and supporting personnel.
• Ability to learn and understand complex business processes, roles, responsibilities and dependencies within the business process.
• You must have a keen eye and intuition for identifying and resolving related problems.

Pay Range: $23-$27/hour

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit/stand 100% of the day
• Ability to use hands/fingers 100% of the day
• Ability to lift/carry/move 5 pounds less than 5% of the day

Our promise to you

Ball is a global leader in horticulture: we develop, produce, and sell plants around the world. Our vision is to color the world through our customers. We create excitement in the world of flowers and are the first choice for service. We deliver all the best and nothing else! To you, we deliver a work environment and a culture where building long-lasting relationships internally and externally is important. We believe that good communication, sharing ideas and collaborating on projects will set us up for success. We keep both our feet on the ground and are approachable.

In addition to this we provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package that includes:

• Medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance
• 401k/Profit Sharing Retirement Plan
• Paid time off benefits including vacation and holidays
• Tuition assistance
• An onsite subsidized café overlooking 30 acres of renowned display gardens and restored natural areas
• Employee Assistance Program and Positive Health programs