National Account Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois.

📋 Description

• Take ownership of and drive overall sales and profit performance for the designated National Hardware portfolio within the Wholesale Channel.

• Create and implement strategic growth plans that identify untapped opportunities while expanding both National Hardware and private-label portfolios.

• Enhance distribution both in-store and online.

• Lead the planning and execution of trade shows, including event strategies, staffing coordination, and corporate account meetings.

• Direct the annual and quarterly business planning processes with wholesale customers.

• Negotiate and manage customer programs, pricing, rebates, terms, and contractual obligations.

• Act as the primary point of contact for accounts and cultivate senior-level customer relationships.

• Align National Hardware’s branding, innovation roadmap, and capabilities with customer priorities.

• Develop and implement strategies for wholesale conversions, store refreshes, and new store openings.

• Coordinate merchandising and sales support efforts across wholesalers, corporate accounts, and dealer locations.

• Secure product placement and encourage dealer and member adoption of new products, assortments, and programs.

• Oversee account-specific budgets, sales forecasts, demand plans, and profitability objectives.

• Monitor sales performance, margins, forecast accuracy, and inventory metrics.

• Adapt pricing, promotional strategies, and account approaches to meet revenue and profit goals.

• Identify and address inventory, service-level, and supply chain issues.

• Optimize product assortments, reduce costs, and enhance return on investment using insights from customers, products, and financial data.

• Lead omnichannel promotional initiatives that align with brand positioning and seasonal campaigns.

• Enhance in-store execution, brand visibility, and service levels in collaboration with Marketing and Customer Service.

⛳️ Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related discipline is required.

• A minimum of 3 years of direct experience managing wholesale, distributor, cooperative, or national accounts is highly preferred.

• At least 3 years of progressive sales experience in consumer products; experience in building products or home improvement is preferred.

• Proven experience in owning and managing a P&L for a key customer or product category.

• Demonstrated success in developing growth strategies, promotional plans, and pricing structures within a wholesale, distribution, or consumer products context.

• Exceptional communication, analytical, and presentation abilities.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and AI-enabled productivity tools.

• Willingness to travel 20–40% both domestically and internationally.

• Travel is necessary for customer meetings, training sessions, trade shows, dealer visits, corporate account meetings, and end-user presentations.

🏝️ Benefits

• Paid time off, including sick leave and vacation days.

• 12 paid holidays.

• Job-protected leave benefits in compliance with applicable laws.

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options.

• Supplemental critical illness, hospital, accident, and indemnity insurance available for purchase.

• Health and flexible spending accounts, subject to eligibility criteria.

• 401(k) plan with employer contributions and matching, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Opportunities for training and professional development.

• Reasonable accommodations available throughout the application process.