Application Guide

How to Apply for National Account Manager

at Hippo Harvest

🏢 About Hippo Harvest

Hippo Harvest is revolutionizing agriculture through sustainable hydroponics, using 90% less water while achieving higher yields with fewer pesticides. Their automated systems enable local growth year-round, positioning them at the forefront of the sustainable food movement. Working here means contributing directly to environmental solutions while being part of an innovative, mission-driven company.

About This Role

As National Account Manager at Hippo Harvest, you'll manage key retail and wholesale partnerships while driving business growth through strategic account planning. This role uniquely combines customer-facing relationship management with sales operations, requiring you to build scalable processes that support the company's next growth phase in the sustainable produce market.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves analyzing account performance data, strategizing growth plans with retail partners, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to refine sales forecasting processes. You might spend mornings on customer calls discussing inventory and promotions, afternoons developing account plans, and late afternoons working on system improvements to support scalable growth.

🎯 Who Hippo Harvest Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years in CPG or fresh produce sales with documented success growing retail accounts, particularly in natural/specialty channels
  • Demonstrates a hybrid skill set: both managing customer relationships AND developing sales operations/planning systems
  • Shows proven leadership in self-directed environments with specific examples of top-line sales growth
  • Understands the unique challenges of fresh produce logistics and sustainability-focused retail partnerships

📝 Tips for Applying to Hippo Harvest

1

Quantify your retail account growth specifically in CPG or fresh produce - include percentages, dollar amounts, and key metrics relevant to Hippo Harvest's sustainable model

2

Highlight any experience with natural/specialty retailers like Whole Foods, Sprouts, or regional co-ops, as this is explicitly preferred

3

Showcase both sides of the role: include examples of customer-facing account management AND sales operations/planning experience in your resume

4

Research Hippo Harvest's specific hydroponic technology and mention how your experience aligns with their water-saving, pesticide-reducing mission

5

Prepare specific examples of how you've improved sales systems or workflows in previous roles, as this is crucial for their 'next stage of growth'

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Connect your CPG/fresh produce experience directly to Hippo Harvest's sustainable hydroponic model and mission", 'Provide specific examples of growing retail accounts while improving sales operations - demonstrate the hybrid skill set they need', "Explain how you've partnered with cross-functional teams to build sales planning and forecasting processes", 'Show enthusiasm for their automated, local growth approach and how it aligns with your professional experience']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Study Hippo Harvest's specific hydroponic technology - understand their 90% water savings claim and how automation enables local growth
  • Research their current retail partners (if publicly available) and the natural/specialty grocery landscape for sustainable produce
  • Understand the competitive landscape for hydroponic produce and how Hippo Harvest differentiates itself
  • Learn about their leadership team and company values from their website and social media presence

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through how you've grown a retail account in fresh produce or CPG - specifically metrics and strategies used
2 How would you approach building sales planning processes for a sustainable agriculture company scaling rapidly?
3 Describe a time you improved sales systems or workflows - what was the impact on business growth?
4 How do you see the natural/specialty retail landscape evolving for sustainable produce, and where does Hippo Harvest fit?
5 Tell me about a cross-functional partnership you led that drove account growth - what was your role and the outcome?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic CPG experience without highlighting fresh produce or sustainability-specific knowledge
  • Focusing only on customer-facing skills without demonstrating sales operations/planning capabilities
  • Failing to show how your experience aligns with their mission of sustainable, automated agriculture

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Hippo Harvest!