Key Account Director, Specialty

Seeking a Key Account Director (Sell-In, Niche Category) for one of the top ranked fastest growing beauty brands. Ideal candidate will be responsible for managing key accounts for the Niche market and Specialty accounts, maximizing sales opportunities, achieving gross sales, net revenues, market share, profitability objectives, working capital, and sustainable growth. Work strategically with cross-Functional teams (Demand Planning, Retail, Marketing, Sales Operations, Customer Service, Finance, Education, Field Team) to support the continued growth of company's Niche portfolio. Key areas of expertise should include strategic thinking, creativity, analytical reporting, multi-tasking, initiative, team player working with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities:

• Review and sign off on various contracts - Returns (RTV), Advertising (CO-AD), Markdowns (MDA), Visuals.
• Monitor allocations to ensure sell in working with Planning KAM for orders.
• Negotiate CO-AD Planning by tactic and provide programs for Omni file, 5* Calendar Input, and Side by Side Calendars.
• G2N Monitoring & Reconciliation and work with Sales Adm. for entries.
• Work w/Customer Service on PO tracking & Weekly ORV report recap.
• Achieve gross sales, net revenues, profitability objectives, working capital, and sustainable growth of Key Accounts and specialty for Niche business segmentation.
• Monitor and control the account plan implementation.
• Provide key updates on account trends and planning to field team via Sales Admin.
• Liaison on advertising comps, ad proofs, ensuring deadlines are being met.
• Liaison with Marketing on new ideas, brand focus, launch strategies for all programming.
• Budget management: plan and monitor sales and control expenses to meet account P&L objectives.
• Liaison with Marketing/Education on Special Events (both In Store & Digital).
• Analyze POS information to adapt and improve the account plans.
• Facilitate Steering meetings alongside marketing departments.
• Understand current situational needs of the client.
• Lead negotiations for Account Planning.
• Develop trade promotional plan service and maintain COOP budget.
• Assist in all new launch planning from orders to tactical programming.
• Liaison with E-COM on brand priorities, opportunities, and innovation to grow the business.
• Attend retailer quarterly meetings as necessary, along with spring/fall meetings, and other sales related meetings.
• Identify opportunities on national specialty key accounts.
• Touch Base with Planning and Buying teams as needed.

Skills and Requirements:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, most notably Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to build a business door by door.
• Flexibility with Schedule and travel as necessary.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and drive.
• 3+ years’ work experience in Sales.
• Superb verbal and written communication skills, including developing and delivering presentations.
• Systems Experience Preferred: Sales Adm. Reports, BW, SAP, G2N, HQ SAP (“Cube”), IT raw data, Planning reports, Vendor Portals.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in working experience.
• Able to influence and gain buy-in by building trustworthy relationships with integrity.
• Strong relationships in Specialty world.
• Major department store retailer experience desired.
• Expertise in the niche market encompassing both Fragrance and Beauty (make-up).
• Strong math and analytical skills.

Specific Knowledge required:

• Business economics: P&L analytics by Account
• Advanced O365 skills
• Data visualization tools
• Project Management qualification an advantage
• Major retailer report experience
• Data Analysis: allocation reports, inventory reports
• Brand exposure desirable but not mandatory