National Account Manager

**Remote Southeast Territory role** with **relocation assistance available** . Requires **50%\+ travel** , depending on candidate location. **Ideal candidates are based in AL, GA, TN, SC, or NC.** *Sonoco’s Reels and Plugs division is an industry leader in the production of industrial\-grade packaging products for the paper industry. Sonoco Plugs stands out as the leading producer, recycler, and supplier of high‑quality molded wood core plugs—critical components in paper roll production, handling, and packaging. With a strong reputation for quality, reliability, and service, Sonoco supports papermills across North America and exports to major global markets, making it one of the most trusted names in core plug solutions worldwide.* This position is responsible for coordinating all activities for account assigned regarding price, product quality, service, new product introductions, and communications. Will work with regional personnel to increase and/or maintain the Reels Division share/profit position with assigned accounts and to increase Sonoco’s exposure on a national basis. The safety and health of employees takes precedence over any other duties of this position. **What you'll be doing:** * Strengthens and develops relations with key personnel of national accounts through extensive personal contacts at all levels of management, correspondence, and regular attendance at trade association meetings. * Prepares and maintains account plans for each account assigned, outlining specific objectives pertaining to marketing, selling, and manufacturing (These plans are to be written in conjunction with appropriate personnel from all regions involved, as well as other division and staff personnel) * Coordinates the implementation of these account plans and reviews these programs routinely with the plant, region, and division management * Stays abreast of major business trends and technical developments as they relate to assigned accounts and provides management with regular updates for planning purposes * Analyzes and evaluates customer potential and assists plant and regional sales offices in the area of sales forecasting * Monitors sales volume levels continuously at each customer location and communicates, to the appropriate line and staff personnel, reasons for significant variations from budgeted sales levels * Makes recommendations regarding adjustments in pricing and coordinates all pricing activities to include the communications of changes to price, both internally and externally * Monitors and coordinates Reels Division involvement with assigned accounts with respect to contracts and bid proposals. Always maintains proper linkage with the line groups * Keeps line and staff personnel informed as to competitive activity at accounts assigned to include share, price, quality, product offerings, and all other areas of involvement * Works with appropriate personnel to develop new product and service offerings for these accounts, as well as expanded applications for traditional product lines * Reviews customer complaints and work with plant and/or regional personnel to ensure that all concerns are resolved expediently and to the complete satisfaction of the account involved * Communicates regularly with other divisions within Sonoco so as to stay abreast of their involvement with respect to common accounts and to also keep them up to date as to Reels Division activities * Protects assets, confidential and restricted information, developments, specifications, materials, legal obligations, and other such data in contacts with external parties * Complies with all company policies * Is responsible for ensuring AR/DSO is managed and kept within the terms of the customer agreement. * Is responsible for identifying cost savings projects that drive value for the customers (TCO) * Coordinates quarterly reviews with accounts to review: YoY and YTD sales data, quality, delivery, TCO projects, brainstorming of value generating ideas occurs. These reviews will include field reps as appropriate. * Is responsible for representing both the customer and Sonoco. Successful candidates can do both effectively by seeing the big picture. * Responsible for owning and managing all facets of relationship with account. This includes expanding relationships into C\-Suites as well as having regular contacts with various functions within the account. (depth and breadth) * Responsible for attending appropriate trade shows and becoming Sonoco’s ‘expert’ in the targeted markets served. * Develops and presents strategic plan for account 1\-3 and 5 year models. Works with Division Management in strategic planning. * Reports to Divisional Sales Manager/Director * Represents the voice of the customer within Sonoco * Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of Sonoco including businesses, organizational structure, value drivers, products and services, and competitive market position * Leads the process of developing a clear and winnable strategy to deliver the vision of what the customer\-supplier relationship can be * Demonstrates your organizations value to the customer in terms of the customer’s financial strategies and measures. Can quantify the value of our solution in terms of the customers financial strategy and ROI. * Can deliver Boardroom level presentations * Questions and challenges the status quo * Displays honesty and integrity, and honors company, customer and personal commitments * Builds a team vision and identity for multifunctional collaboration and management of a strategic customer * Demonstrates consistent, methodical work habits to drive and complete the account management process, within time and resource constraints. **We'd love to hear from you if:** * 4\-year college degree is preferred * Must have 10 years industry experience and a minimum of 3 years commercial selling/marketing experience managing $20MM\+ accounts * Strong analytical skills and the ability to develop/quantify value are required * Must have strong written and oral communication skills * Must have good working knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint and Word