Assoc Key Account Manager at Miami, FL – Miami, Florida

Company Overview

Who is Costa Farms? We’re one of the world’s largest horticultural growers—but without an ego to match our acreage. Our headquarters are in Miami, Florida, where we were founded in 1961. Costa Farms started on just 30 acres, and over the last 60 years, we’ve grown to more than 5,000 acres around the world. We have farms in

North and South Carolina, Central and South Florida, and the Dominican Republic, plus an office in China. Costa Farms now employs nearly 6,000 people: engineers, marketers, accountants/analysts, human resources professionals, and of course, growers and plant scientists!
Here at Costa Farms, we live by the values of H3: being Humble, staying Hungry, and always Hustling. The team rallies to the mission of being a lean, green, growing machine dedicated to enriching the world by bringing plants into everyone’s life.

True to that mission, we grow more than 1,500 plant varieties. Driven by the spirit of innovation, the team is always testing new plants and developing new solutions to make it easier for retailers and plant parents to enjoy plants. We’re also continuously testing different ways of growing our plants to increase quality and improve their ecological footprint as one aspect of our many sustainability efforts.

We cultivate plants, as well as a winning culture. Join the team, and you’ll find opportunities to learn and grow.

You’ll collaborate with other driven, determined people who together keep Costa Farms an industry leader. You’ll support and be supported by a team that cares about each other, our customers, our consumers, and our community.

You’ll also find right away that Costa Farms is committed to providing a diverse environment. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, military status, marital status or veteran status, or any other group status protected by federal, state, or local law.

Description

The Associate Key Account Manager at Bernecker’s is a dynamic and organized professional responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with existing customers while actively pursuing new business opportunities. Through outreach methods such as phone, email, on-site visits, facility tours, and industry trade shows, this role supports sales growth, increases brand awareness, and helps strengthen customer partnerships. The Associate Key Account Manager plays a key role in meeting sales targets, supporting operational efficiency, and contributing to the overall success of the team.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong customer relationships through effective communication and personalized assistance. Understand and stay current on customer needs to recommend suitable plants, products, and solutions.

• Prospect potential customers and establish new sales. Prepare and deliver sales presentations that communicate the benefits of doing business with Costa Farms. Provide excellent customer service in all aspects of the relationship between the customer and Costa Farms.

• Achieve agreed-upon sales targets and outcomes within schedule.

• Maintain an in-depth understanding of our product offerings, including plant types, care instructions, and seasonal availability, to speak knowledgeably to customers about quality and availability.

• Respond promptly to customer inquiries and orders via email or phone; provide pricing, availability, and pictures. Resolve customer service issues and requests. Escalate issues as needed.

• Provide all relevant sales order information to the sales support team for entry into our sales module. Follow up to ensure successful delivery.

• Collaborate with other departments to ensure availability, quality, and prompt delivery (Accounting, Shipping, Sales, and Data Entry).

• Identify new opportunities within the market and collaborate with internal teams to build strategies for obtaining profitable growth.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in industry shows. Collaborate with the sales and marketing team to ensure excellent customer experience during shows and attract new business.

• Collaborate with cross-functional internal teams to develop successful programs that meet customer expectations. Provide input on ordering, packaging, POP materials, and inspections. Follow up with the production team to ensure proper item selection and specifications.

• Analyze sales/profit opportunities within our current programs and collaborate with internal teams to build strategies for profitable growth.

• Effectively communicate the progress of weekly/monthly/quarterly KPIs to external and internal stakeholders.

• Develop, prepare & deliver presentations during line review and other meetings as required throughout the year.

• Participate in internal forecasting initiatives for sales.

• Support and maintain a professional, team environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, or a related field (preferred).

• Minimum of 1–3 years of experience in account management, sales, or a related field, with a proven track record of managing key accounts and achieving sales targets.

• Strong ownership of business responsibilities and a customer-service focus, willing to go the extra mile to get the job done.

• Excellent people skills, with strong communication abilities and effective problem-solving capabilities.

• Strong analytical skills in sales planning and forecasting.

• Highly self-motivated, creative, and able to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to communicate, present, and influence effectively at all levels of the internal and external organization.

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel.Ability to effectively operate both independently and as part of a team

• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and work schedules as needed.

Physical Demands

Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body Primarily involves sitting, with occasional requirements to stand, walk, or lift objects to a certain weight.

Work Environment:

The role involves utilizing standard office equipment, such as computers, monitors, keyboards, mice, telephones, and other essential digital tools required for daily tasks.

The role is primarily office-based, which may include open spaces with background noise from conversations, office equipment, and phone calls. Occasionally, tasks may require working outdoors in various weather conditions.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate complex information to employees.

• Demonstrated ability to work well in a team-oriented environment.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

• Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities. Capable of identifying problems, evaluating options, and implementing practical solutions.

• Effective time management skills to complete tasks within deadlines and maintain productivity.

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment.

• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues efficiently.

Competencies

• Customer Focus – Understands customer needs and prioritizes customer satisfaction.

• Networking / Relationship Building – Builds and maintains professional networks to support business growth.

• Effective Communication – Communicates clearly and persuasively with internal and external stakeholders.

• Negotiation – Successfully negotiates agreements and resolves conflicts to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

• Sales Planning – Plans and executes sales strategies to achieve targets.

• Analytical Thinking – Analyzes data and trends to make informed business decisions.

• Tech Savvy – Comfortable using technology, sales tools, and Microsoft Office applications.

• Business Insight – Understands business operations, market trends, and organizational impact.

• Self-Motivation – Proactive, goal-oriented, and driven to achieve results independently.

Here at Costa Farms, we're proud to offer not only a competitive wage, but also some really great benefits:

• Company 401(k) with employer matching contributions

• Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, and Dependent Care

• Telehealth - Medical and Mental Health Care

• Medical Insurance

• GAP Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Pet Insurance

• Supplemental Insurance (AFLAC)

• Legal/ID Theft Protection plans

• Professional development opportunities

• Challenging and exciting work environment

• Costa Farms Scholarship

• Employee discounts on plants

Costa Farms headquarters in Miami, FL also has:

• On-site gym with showers

• A subsidized on-site cafeteria, a designated quiet room, and indoor recreational activities are provided.

• Love Where You Work activities throughout the year

All applicants must be work-authorized.

Costa Farms will not sponsor any visa for this position.

After applying, connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and your go-to social platforms to stay updated on exciting developments at Costa Farms and build relationships with fellow plant enthusiasts on our team. Come Grow with Us™!