Key Account Manager Job Listing at Kelly Services in Toronto, ON (Job ID CA3596460_BH9946301)

Description

Location: Toronto, ON
Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm, Monday to Friday
Employment Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire
Reports to: Director of Sales
Compensation: $80,000 – $90,000 annually + performance-based incentives

Company Overview
Our client is a leading importer and distributor of premium Italian and Mediterranean food products in Canada. Established with a passion for authentic quality, they proudly represent internationally recognized brands.
With over 60 years of industry experience, their mission is to bring world-class products to Canadian retailers and foodservice operators, delivering exceptional service, innovative solutions, and strong category expertise. Headquartered in Toronto, they've built lasting partnerships with national and regional grocery banners, independent retailers, and specialty stores across Canada. Position Overview
The Key Account Manager is responsible for driving profitable sales growth, expanding distribution, and maintaining strong partnerships with major grocery retailers across Canada. This role requires a proactive, strategic sales professional with experience in account management, trade marketing, and category development within the grocery/CPG industry. Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Account Management

• Act as the primary contact for assigned retail accounts (national and regional grocery banners).
• Develop and execute annual joint business plans aligned with brand portfolio strategy.
• Identify category growth opportunities and secure new product listings, promotions, and incremental displays.

2. Sales Growth & Profitability

• Deliver annual sales, distribution, and profitability targets.
• Negotiate pricing, promotional funding, and contract terms with retailers.
• Monitor account performance using sales data, retailer portals, and market insights.

3. Program Execution

• Lead execution of promotional programs, merchandising initiatives, and seasonal campaigns.
• Partner with supply chain and logistics teams to ensure accurate forecasting and product availability.
• Track compliance and execution through retail audits and store visits.

4. Relationship Development

• Build and maintain strong relationships with retailer category managers, buyers, and merchandising teams.
• Act as a liaison between accounts and internal cross-functional teams, ensuring smooth communication and issue resolution.

5. Reporting & Administration

• Prepare and deliver business reviews, highlighting performance, opportunities, and corrective actions.
• Manage trade spend, deduction resolution, and account-related administration.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of key account management experience within the grocery or CPG industry.
• Proven track record managing major Canadian retail accounts (Loblaws, Sobeys, Metro, Costco, Walmart, or others).
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence decisions at senior levels.
• Analytical mindset with proficiency in Excel, Power BI, and retailer portals.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Knowledge of specialty food categories and Italian product lines considered an asset.

Performance Metrics

• Achievement of annual sales and profitability targets.
• Number of new product listings secured and expanded distribution points.
• Execution success of promotions and seasonal programs.
• Retailer satisfaction and strength of partnerships.
• Reduction of deduction disputes and out-of-stocks.

Why Kelly®?
As a worker today, it's up to you to take charge of your career and look for opportunities to learn, grow and achieve your potential. Helping you find what's next is what we're all about. We know what's going on in the evolving world of work—just ask the nearly 500,000 people we employ each year. Connecting with us means getting the support, guidance and opportunities needed to take your career where you may have never imagined.

About Kelly®
At Kelly, we're always thinking about what's next and advising job seekers on new ways of working to reach their full potential. In fact, we're a leading advocate for temporary/non-traditional workstyles, because we believe they allow flexibility and tremendous growth opportunities that enable a better way to work and live. Connecting great people with great companies is what we do best and our employment opportunities span a wide variety of workstyles, skill levels and industries around the world.

Kelly is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse workforce and providing accommodations for people with disabilities in all parts of the hiring process as required under its Employment Accommodation Policy. Kelly will work with applicants to meet accommodation needs that are made known to Kelly in advance.
 

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Get a complete career fit with Kelly®.

You're looking to keep your career moving onward and upward, and we're here to help you do just that. Our staffing experts connect you with top companies for opportunities where you can learn, grow, and thrive. Jobs that fit your skills and experience, and most importantly, fit right on your path of where you want to go in your career.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we're obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it's about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It's the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It's the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing a workplace environment that is inclusive and respects the dignity of those in our workforce. Consistent with that commitment, Kelly will ensure that persons who are otherwise able to work are not unfairly excluded from doing so based upon any grounds protected by applicable human rights legislation, and will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate the needs of applicants and employees in all employment processes including but not limited to, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, or training.

 Apply on company website