Key Account Manager Western Canada

Key Account Manager Western Canada – Job Description

Location: (Remote & In Field Work)

Reports to: Director, National Sales

Status: Full-time (40 hours per week)

White Ash Group has been engaged by a fully licensed Cannabis cultivation, processing, and

consumer packaged goods company to recruit a Key Account Manager Western Canada.

Job Description:

The Key Account Manager – Western Canada is responsible for maximizing market share,

volume, and distribution across Canada. The role includes gaining brand distribution,

implementing, and executing trade programs, and educating retail store owners, managers,

staff and external stakeholders on the company brand and our products. The development of

building strong business relationships with Key Partners, including both regional and national

key retail accounts, and ensuring the visibility, brand awareness and education of the

company’s suite of brands will be critical for success.

The Key Account Manager will function as the Subject Matter Expert and continue to actively

pursue the most current cannabis knowledge including industry symposiums, trade shows and

training programs. Success will be based on the ability to understand the critical and ever-

changing customer needs, ability to develop and deploy creative selling solutions to drive

volume and profitability, analyze customer and consumer trends, and guide overall strategic

direction with customers.

This is a hardworking, hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves environment emphasizing a team-

oriented and collaborative style. It will be key for the candidate to embrace change and see

past obstacles with a focus on solutions in the context of a company undergoing rapid growth

and ongoing functional integration.

Responsibilities:

• Constantly seek out additional sales avenues and seek to increase market share in each

existing market.

• Assist the VP of Commercial and Director of National Sales in onboarding and training of

new national sales team members across all provinces.

• Organize/participate in any and all remote product knowledge sessions with key

accounts and large retailers.• Pursue a continuous learning and improvement attitude and actively seek the most

current industry knowledge including attending relevant training programs.

• Develop strong, long-term relationships with key decision makers, category managers,

educators, and cannabis retail teams - store owners, budtenders, and store managers -

and other regional stakeholder as assigned.

• Create brand awareness and community engagement within assigned territories,

including directly at Point of Sale, but indirect, grassroots tactics to grow CIG's affinity

outside of the retail network specifically.

• Implement, track, and achieve Key Performance Indicator targets on sales volumes,

distribution, market share, placement & visibility, and retailer engagement & visitation.

• Negotiate and activate merchandising and distribution programs for retail partners and

find unique opportunities to promote the company's suite of brands within the

applicable regulatory framework.

• Conduct in-store education sessions for staff and consumers to introduce products,

features and benefits (where permitted).

• Be the "go-to" specialist to assist retail buyers in managing inventory and profitability

and provide feedback to supply chain on weekly orders while considering all

quantitative and qualitative factors.

• Troubleshoot and report back any concerns or issues with our products gained from

stakeholder engagement.

• Use best practices for route planning, call frequency and tracking performance.

• Prepare and submit weekly reporting to commercial team summarizing weekly results.

• Analyze sales activities, market conditions and competitive pricing to meet company

objectives.

• Manage promotional expenses for assigned partnerships and territories.

• In collaboration with Marketing, utilize social media to interact with retailers and

consumers to promote our brands in a compliant manner based on provincial and

federal regulations

• Represent the company as the product expert by attending provincial and regional trade

shows, and other events across Canada

• Support the Director and VP with special projects and tasks outside of regular

responsibilities as required

• Respect and maintain confidentiality of private conversations with employees

Accountability & Decision Making:

• Receive direction from Director of National Sales & VP of Commercial• Responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of regional sales

programs

• Required to follow standard operating procedures regarding overall processes and

procedures

• Maintain open communication with senior leadership regarding any issues that may

occur

• Responsible to execute assigned tasks and expectation in accordance with CIG and

Health Canada regulations

• Responsible for completing any work assigned to them during their scheduled shift as

well as information sharing to direct leader

• Responsible for following any and all operational guideline, verbal directions, training

information and policies when performing duties

Qualifications:

• Minimum 2 years of Sales, Category, and/or Account Management experience,

preferably in a regulated/restricted category such as cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, or

pharma

• Bachelor of Commerce degree, or a demonstrated equivalent of training and experience

• Exceptional cannabis product knowledge and passion for the industry

• Ability to build and maintain lasting relationships with stakeholders

• Strong communication, presentation, and organizational skills

• Knowledge of retail and/or wholesale sales principles, methods, practices, and

techniques

• High proficiency in Excel, Word and PowerPoint

• Driver's license and access to a safe, reliable vehicle (company will pay monthly vehicle

allowance)

• Criminal background check and good credit standing (must have a credit card for

business travel)

White Ash Group and the companies it represents are Equal Employment Opportunity employers

that values the strength of diversity within the workplace. All qualified applicants, regardless of

race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression,

nationality, age, disability or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable

law, are strongly encouraged to apply.