Key Account Manager

Description

Company Overview

Who is Costa Farms? We’re one of the world’s largest horticultural growers—but without an ego to match our acreage. Our headquarters are in Miami, Florida, where we were founded in 1961. Costa Farms started on just 30 acres, and over the last 60 years, we’ve grown to more than 5,000 acres around the world. We have farms in North and South Carolina, Central and South Florida, and the Dominican Republic, plus an office in China. Costa Farms now employs nearly 6,000 people: engineers, marketers, accountants/analysts, human resources professionals, and of course, growers and plant scientists!   

Here at Costa Farms, we live by the values of H3: being Humble, staying Hungry, and always Hustling. The team rallies to the mission of being a lean, green, growing machine dedicated to enriching the world by bringing plants into everyone’s life.  

True to that mission, we grow more than 1,500 plant varieties. Driven by the spirit of innovation, the team is always testing new plants and developing new solutions to make it easier for retailers and plant parents to enjoy plants. We’re also continuously testing different ways of growing our plants to increase quality and improve their ecological footprint as one aspect of our many sustainability efforts.  

We cultivate plants, as well as a winning culture. Join the team, and you’ll find opportunities to learn and grow. You’ll collaborate with other driven, determined people who together keep Costa Farms an industry leader. You’ll support and be supported by a team that cares about each other, our customers, our consumers, and our community.   

You’ll also find right away that Costa Farms is committed to providing a diverse environment. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, military status, marital status or veteran status, or any other group status protected by federal, state, or local law.  

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The successful Key Account Manager manages the development and execution of profitable programs which grow top-line sales for the company and the customer. The KAM will work alongside the VP, Senior KAM & other Key Account Managers to lead and develop the Foliage & Blooming Tropical programs in specific regions. The KAM will be the liaison between the customer and cross-functional internal teams to ensure timely and successful delivery of our solutions according to customer needs. This individual will manage and inspire employees to ensure all business goals and objectives are reached and contribute to the sales of products to our customers. 

In addition to managing regional sales and programs, this role serves as the team captain for Marketing and Project Requests, acting as the primary point of coordination for SKU setup, item requests, and internal workflows with Lowe’s. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Own and manage a multi-million book of business across specific regions driving sales, execution, and customer alignment 
• Develop trusting relationships with LGMs by establishing biweekly touch base calls to review current state of business  
• Lead forecast meetings in respective regions for House & Patio, Trees & Shrubs 
• Manage day-to-day operations for all Foliage & Blooming Tropicals 
• Fielding Customer Phone Calls, Solving Store related & Operations related issues,  
• Participating in Weekly Touch Base Calls 
• Work with the team to develop strategy and drive profitable growth with customers. 
• Serve as the primary point of contact for key customers, addressing their needs, resolving issues, and providing exceptional service 
• Identify opportunities for growth within assigned regions and develop strategies to maximize sales 
• Collaborate with Key Account team to ensure proper order-writing and replenishment of merchandise to drive sales and gross margin 

Operational, Administrative & System Ownership 

• Own and coordinate item requests with Lowe’s, ensuring submissions are complete, timely, and aligned to approved strategies 
• Track and manage Marketing and Project Requests, ensuring clear ownership, follow-up, and status visibility across teams. Serve as the team captain for Marketing and Project Requests, acting as the central liaison between Sales, Marketing, and internal support teams 
• Provide strategic oversight and communication to ensure cross-functional teams remain aligned on priorities, deliverables, and execution standards 
• Provide organized, consistent communication to stakeholders regarding project status, risks, and next steps 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES: 

• Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the industry, market trends, and competitive landscape 
• Client Relationship Management: Exceptional ability to build and maintain strong, long-lasting customer relationships 
• Negotiation Skills: Expertise in negotiating contracts and closing deals. 
• Project Management: Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines 
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing business environments and work effectively in a fast-paced setting 
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively 
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with experience in data analysis and sales forecasting 
• Customer Focus: A strong customer-centric approach with a commitment to delivering exceptional service 
• Travel: Willingness to travel as required to meet with key customers and attend industry events 

All applicants must be work-authorized. Costa Farms will not sponsor any visa for this position. After applying, follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on what’s happening around Costa Farms and to start becoming part of our family. Come Grow with Us™!

Costa Farms offers competitive wages and benefits, including:

• 401(k) Plan  
• Company 401(k) Matching Contributions  
• Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, and Dependent Care
• Telemedicine/ Mental Health Services  
• Health Insurance  
• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance  
• Pet Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance (Aflac)  
• Growth Opportunities  
• Challenging and exciting work environment  
• Costa Farms Scholarship  
• Employee discounts on plants  

Costa Farms headquarters also has:

• On-site gym with showers  
• Subsidized on-site cafeteria, a quiet room, and indoor games  
• Love Where You Work activities throughout the year