gpac | The Recruitment Platform

Key Account Manager - Pet Specialty in Chicago

Date Posted: 25 September 2026

Job Snapshot

Job Description

Key Account Manager – Pet Specialty

Location: Oak Brook, IL
Compensation: $80,000–$100,000 + 2 Discretionary Bonuses
Employment: Full-Time | In-Office
Industry: Pet Products / CPG / Consumer Products

Grow Accounts. Expand Distribution. Build a Premium Brand.

gpac is partnered with a growing premium consumer-products company seeking an experienced Key Account Manager – Pet Specialty to join its sales organization in Oak Brook, IL.

This position is ideal for a sales professional who combines strong relationship management with a growth mindset.

You'll manage strategic retail and distributor relationships while identifying opportunities to increase sales, expand distribution, strengthen market presence, and develop long-term customer partnerships.

What You'll Do

  • Manage relationships with assigned Pet Specialty retailers and distributors.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for key customers.
  • Develop strategies to increase sales, distribution, and market presence.
  • Analyze sales and purchase-order data to identify growth opportunities.
  • Evaluate account performance, trends, and profitability.
  • Lead customer business reviews and sales presentations.
  • Develop and execute promotional programs.
  • Provide sales forecasts and input for demand and production planning.
  • Partner with leadership on pricing, promotions, quotes, and account strategies.
  • Resolve customer issues and support successful sales execution.
  • Monitor competitive activity, market trends, and merchandising strategies.
  • Collaborate with sales, operations, production, and leadership.
  • Travel locally or regionally as needed.

What We're Looking For

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, or related field.
  • 3–7 years of sales or key account management experience.
  • Pet Specialty, Pet CPG, Food & Beverage, or related consumer-products experience preferred.
  • Experience working with retail headquarters, regional offices, and/or distributors.
  • Strong business-development and relationship-management skills.
  • Ability to analyze sales data and identify growth opportunities.
  • Experience creating and delivering customer presentations.
  • Strong forecasting, negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
  • Ability to work cross-functionally with internal and external partners.
  • Comfortable working in-office in Oak Brook, IL.

Compensation

$80,000–$100,000 base salary + two discretionary bonuses.

Additional company and benefit information will be provided to qualified candidates during the interview process.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Join a growing premium brand where you'll have the opportunity to manage important customer relationships while directly influencing sales growth, distribution, promotions, and account strategy.

If you're a successful Key Account Manager, National Account Manager, Account Manager, Territory Manager, or CPG sales professional who enjoys building customer relationships while finding new ways to grow the business, we'd like to hear from you.

Apply today for confidential consideration.

Ted Taylor
Search Consultant
Manufacturing
Call/Text: (678) 748-4482
Email: ted.taylor@gogpac.com
www.linkedin.com/in/ted-taylor-jr

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations. GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.

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