Account Manager Government

About Zep Inc.

Zep Inc. is a leading manufacturer of cleaning solutions for businesses and consumers with operations across the U.S, Canada, and Europe. Our purpose is to make the planet cleaner, safer, and more productive. To fulfill our purpose, we focus on understanding and solving cleaning needs for consumers, as well as business customers across a variety of segments including transportation, industrial, institutional, and food & beverage. We also have a strong presence in the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) segment, where we develop products to help consumers and businesses maintain a clean and safe environment. Our products can be found online and at retail shelves at outlets like Home Depot, Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Grainger, HD Supply, Walmart, and many others. We market our products under well recognized and established brand names, such as Zep®, Enforcer®, Misty®, TimeMist®, TimeWick, and Country Vet®. Zep was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. In 2021, Zep became the official cleaning partner of Atlanta United FC.

Job Description:

Zep is seeking a high-performing Government Account Manager to drive new business growth across federal, state, and local government agencies, including defense-related installations, military bases, public works departments, government contractors, and schools.

This is a hunter role focused on developing new government accounts, expanding existing contracts, and positioning Zep’s industrial cleaning, sanitation, and maintenance chemical solutions within complex public-sector procurement environments.  The ideal candidate has experience selling into government procurement systems (GSA, DLA, DOD, VA base-level purchasing, or public sector contracts) and understands how to navigate multi-layered buying processes in regulated environments.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and execute a US-based government sales strategy targeting federal, state, and municipal agencies

• Identify, qualify, and close new opportunities across:

  • Military installations and defense depots

  • Federal agencies (DoD, GSA, DHS, VA)

  • State DOTs, municipalities, and public utilities

  • Government contractors and maintenance service providers

• Manage and grow a pipeline of RFPs, RFQs, and contract-based opportunities

  • Meet revenue and profit targets

• Build relationships with procurement officers, facility managers, and contracting personnel

• Leverage GSA schedules and other federal contracting vehicles to accelerate sales cycles

• Partner with internal marketing, regulatory, and technical teams to ensure compliance and product qualification

• Lead pricing, contract negotiation, and long-term agreement structuring

• Maintain CRM discipline with accurate forecasting and pipeline reporting

• Represent Zep at government procurement events, trade shows, and industry associations

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of B2B sales experience, with at least 2+ years selling into government or public sector accounts

• Proven track record as a hunter (new business development focused)

• Experience navigating:

  • Government procurement processes

  • GSA schedules or equivalent contracting mechanisms

  • Bid/RFP/RFQ cycles

• Familiarity with industrial MRO, chemicals, cleaning products, or maintenance supply categories strongly preferred

• Strong ability to build relationships within complex, layered organizations

• Excellent negotiation and closing skills in long-cycle sales environments

• Proficiency with CRM systems (Salesforce or similar)

Ideal Candidate Profile (Hunter DNA)

• Consistently opens new accounts rather than inheriting legacy business

• Comfortable cold calling into government facilities and procurement offices

• Understands how to penetrate military bases and federal installations

• Has existing relationships in public sector purchasing networks

• Experienced in selling consumable products with repeat purchase cycles

• Strong resilience in long government sales cycles (6–18+ months)

Our Values

At Zep, we have developed a set of values focused on bringing even greater cohesion to our workplace. As part of this plan, we introduced a values framework called S.P.E.E.D. to align with our purpose of making the planet cleaner, safer, and more productive.

• Stewardship: We continuously improve the safety of our people and products, and we protect the planet by innovating solutions to reduce our environmental impact.

• Passion for Problem Solving: We listen to our customers and actively work to find solutions for unique situations. We think creatively to innovate and seize opportunities that will drive growth and make all our customers’ and consumers’ lives better.

• Empowerment: We encourage and lead our people to be accountable by equipping them to make decisions and own the outcome

• Expertise: We create innovative solutions and partnerships that are relevant to service our communities and customers.

• Doing the Right Thing: We expect our people to understand ethical boundaries and be inclusive of other backgrounds, ideas, and perspectives. Demonstrating honesty, respect and integrity in all actions is always expected.

Zep Inc. is an organization that is committed to diversity within its workforce and encourages all interested candidates, including women, minorities, & former military personnel to apply.  It is the policy of Zep Inc. that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation.

As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, Zep Inc. provides full employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, ancestry, or veteran status or any other distinction outlined in all applicable federal, state, and local laws.