[Hiring] National Key Account Manager-Functional Wellness @Cornbread Hemp

Role Description

We are seeking a Key Account Manager, Natural Channel to build and grow Cornbread Hemp's presence across the natural products channel with our new non-hemp functional wellness products. This person will own the end-to-end sales process for our Non-Alcoholic Spritz as well as our Mushroom Gummies.

The ideal candidate is a true self-starter who already knows the natural channel and has the relationships to turn buyer conversations into placements and velocity. This role is for a highly motivated sales leader who thrives under pressure and tight deadlines, builds buyer relationships quickly, and has the discipline to follow each deal through to reorder and sell-through.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Account Acquisition: Identify, prioritize, and pursue key accounts for our functional Non-Alcoholic Spritz and Mushroom Gummies. Develop account-specific strategies across natural chains for both functional product lines.
• Distributor Program Execution: Grow the Non-Alcoholic Spritz and Mushroom Gummies distribution through KeHE and UNFI with new DC rollouts as retailers come online.
• Broker Management: Recruit, negotiate, onboard, and manage natural-channel broker relationships to extend reach and accelerate buyer access. Set clear expectations, hold brokers accountable to pipeline and placement targets, and ensure their efforts stay coordinated with your direct selling and our broader account strategy.
• Full-Cycle Selling: Own the complete sales cycle — build your own pipeline, secure buyer meetings, present the brand and category story, negotiate terms, and close to first purchase order.
• Account Growth and Velocity: Drive each account past the close. Win reorders, expand placements and door counts, and partner with marketing on the support that drives sell-through.
• Forecasting and Pipeline Management: Build and maintain a detailed, accurate sales pipeline with reliable forecasting. Partner with the VP of Sales on KPIs, revenue targets, and account-level reporting.
• Marketing & Operations Collaboration: Partner with marketing on sell-in materials, promotions, POS displays, and account support, and with operations to ensure supply-chain readiness for distributor and direct orders.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5+ years selling into the natural products channel, with existing relationships among category buyers at chains like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Natural Grocers as well as KeHE and/or UNFI.
• Demonstrated success selling functional or better-for-you beverages into the natural channel through KeHE and UNFI, with a deep understanding of distributor programs and DC rollouts.
• Highly self-motivated, autonomous, and confident, with the social skills to build buyer relationships and maintain them.
• Familiar with the categories - both functional beverages and functional mushroom gummies - with a proven ability to introduce a new or unfamiliar product into a buyer's set.
• Disciplined with sales systems and data. Comfortable owning a CRM, maintaining clean and current pipeline records, and producing reliable forecasts and account-level reporting.
• Ability to work remotely with frequent travel for buyer meetings, trade shows, and key markets — up to 50% of the time.
• This role owns the natural products channel for the Non-Alcoholic Spritz and Mushroom Gummies lines.

Preferred Qualifications

• DSD beverage sales knowledge and ability to coordinate with our THC Seltzer DSD sales team when opportunities arise.
• Direct-to-retailer experience in the VMS / supplements category for our Mushroom Gummies — a strong plus.
• Experience launching emerging functional or better-for-you brands. Experience with natural-channel trade shows such as Expo West.

Benefits

• Full benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Travel and expense budget for account visits, trade shows, and industry events.
• The opportunity to build the natural channel for a high-growth, nationally recognized brand with two fast-growing product lines.
• A direct line to senior leadership with significant strategic autonomy to own and grow your channel.
• A collaborative, supportive work environment rooted in Kentucky heritage and organic integrity.
• Professional development and career advancement as our sales organization scales.
• Flexible and remote working capabilities.