About Lipman Family Farms

Lipman Family Farms is North America’s largest field tomato grower and a leading supplier of fresh vegetables and value-added produce solutions. Family-owned and operated for generations, Lipman is committed to delivering quality products, exceptional customer service, innovation, and operational excellence from seed to shelf.

With growing, packing, repacking, fresh-cut, and distribution operations across North America, Lipman partners with retail, foodservice, wholesale, and broadline customers to provide customized solutions that support customer success.

About this Role

The Foodservice Account Manager is responsible for managing and growing strategic relationships with major broadline foodservice distributors and key foodservice accounts. This role serves as the primary liaison between customers and internal teams, ensuring exceptional service, reliable supply execution, and profitable sales growth.

The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of the foodservice industry, distributor operations, supply chain dynamics, and fresh produce markets. This individual must be capable of building trusted customer relationships, identifying growth opportunities, resolving challenges quickly, and collaborating across sales, procurement, operations, and logistics teams to deliver results.

This position may be based near a major airport hub or one of Lipman’s operating locations and requires regular travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Agriculture, Marketing, Foodservice Management, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of recent foodservice industry experience required.
• Experience working with broadline distributors strongly preferred.
• Experience in account management, procurement, supply chain, customer service, sales, or related foodservice functions.
• Proven ability to manage large customer relationships and deliver business growth.
• Strong understanding of foodservice distribution and supply chain operations.
• Fresh produce industry experience preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel extensively.

Key ResponsibilitiesAccount Management & Customer Relationships

• Manage a portfolio of strategic broadline distributor and foodservice accounts.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customer relationships, business reviews, and issue resolution.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with key customer decision-makers.
• Conduct regular customer meetings to review performance, opportunities, forecasts, and service levels.
• Build long-term customer loyalty through proactive communication and exceptional service.

Sales Growth & Business Development

• Identify opportunities to increase sales volume, expand product offerings, and improve profitability.
• Develop account growth strategies aligned with customer needs and company objectives.
• Collaborate with customers to support new product launches, promotions, and seasonal programs.
• Monitor market conditions, competitive activity, and customer trends to identify business opportunities.
• Support contract negotiations, pricing discussions, and annual business planning activities.

Supply Chain & Operational Coordination

• Partner with procurement, operations, logistics, and customer service teams to ensure successful execution of customer programs.
• Monitor inventory availability, demand forecasts, and supply plans to support customer needs.
• Coordinate solutions for supply challenges, service issues, and changing customer requirements.
• Assist in balancing customer expectations with operational capabilities and market conditions.
• Ensure customer specifications and service requirements are communicated and executed effectively.

Business Performance Management

• Analyze account performance, sales trends, service metrics, and profitability.
• Develop customer forecasts and support demand planning activities.
• Maintain accurate customer records, activity reports, and pipeline information.
• Prepare and present business reviews to customers and internal leadership.
• Achieve established revenue, margin, and customer satisfaction objectives.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic account management
• Relationship building and customer engagement
• Foodservice industry expertise
• Supply chain and procurement knowledge
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Business acumen and financial analysis
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Organizational and project management skills
• Strong verbal and written communication
• CRM and Microsoft Office proficiency
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment

Travel Requirements

• Travel up to 50% or more based on customer needs, account locations, industry events, and business requirements.
• Ability to travel by air and automobile throughout assigned territories and customer locations.

Work Environment

• This role operates in a hybrid environment involving customer visits, business meetings, office settings, distribution facilities, and agricultural operations. The position requires flexibility, frequent travel, and the ability to work effectively across multiple functions and geographic locations.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Charlotte, NC 28216