Strategic Account Executive

Strategic Account Executive at MSC Industrial Supply Co. – Full‑time, Rockford, IL.

Strategic Accounts Executive is responsible for driving sales growth and retaining key account locations with portfolios exceeding $250K in potential revenue
. The role focuses on maximizing account penetration, ensuring long‑term retention, and delivering measurable value through cost‑saving initiatives, continuous improvement reviews (CIRs), and solution optimization.

• Sell, manage, and retain portfolios over $250K in potential revenue to achieve profitable growth and retention.
• Develop and account plans that anticipate customer needs, align with business objectives, and drive account penetration.
• Proactively identify churn indicators and implement interventions to safeguard retention and customer satisfaction.
• Negotiate and renew agreements with underperforming or at‑risk accounts to optimize value realization and profitability.
• Deliver measurable cost‑saving initiatives and demonstrate profitability through regular customer assessments and solution optimization.
• Conduct Continuous Improvement Reviews (CIRs) with senior stakeholders to showcase value delivered and identify new opportunities.
• Build and maintain trusted internal and external relationships with leaders in Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Engineering.
• Ensure seamless onboarding of new customers, coordinating with internal teams to deliver commitments and adoption.
• Engage with site‑level contacts to strengthen solution adoption and ensure consistent execution of account strategies.
• Maintain disciplined use of CRM tools and reporting standards to ensure accuracy in forecasting and account visibility.
• Act as a strategic advisor by leveraging market insights, benchmarking, and industry trends to educate customers and strengthen partnerships.
• Analyze customer data and trends to recommend process improvements that reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• Present financial and operational insights to customer executives, linking MSC’s solutions to measurable business outcomes.

• Bachelor’s degree in business or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated sales and marketing success, including at least 2 years in industrial, manufacturing, or distribution sales.
• Proven track record of selling profitable solutions and services, consistently meeting or exceeding sales plans.
• Demonstrated excellence in sales, negotiation, relationship building, and closing, with the ability to influence at multiple organizational levels.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply insights from customer financial statements to support solution recommendations.
• Strong project management skills with a solid history of accountability and results.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and  (CRM).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop and deliver impactful presentations.
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven success collaborating cross‑functionally (e.g., Marketing, Product Management, Finance).
• High attention to detail, follow‑through, and ability to adapt quickly to changing business needs and market conditions.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to make sound, timely decisions.
• Self‑motivated and adaptable, able to perform effectively in both independent and team environments.

• Valid driver’s license required; must be able to drive up to several hours per day to customer locations within the assigned territory.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physical tasks (walking, bending, standing for long periods).
• Willingness to comply with customer safety and PPE protocols.
• May require access to International Traffic in Arms Regulations Information (“ITAR”) and/or Controlled Unclassified Information (“CUI”).

Base salary range: $73,430 – $115,390 (plus commission), dependent on experience.

At MSC, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all qualified applicants and our associates without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or any category protected by applicable law. Accommodation requests can be made at any stage of the recruitment process; applicants are asked to make their needs/requirements known.