Retail Account Manager

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

📋 Description

• Take ownership of revenue and margin objectives for Whisker's retail operations in Canada.

• Identify, assess, and establish new retail accounts and channels in Canada.

• Develop business cases, engage with buyers, and guide partners from the initial discussions through to launch.

• Define, enhance, and expand key retail channels.

• Maintain relationships with retailers, distributors, and sales agencies.

• Establish partner strategies and manage goals, timelines, and deliverables.

• Cultivate relationships with retail buyers and pinpoint growth opportunities.

• Oversee retailer portals, EDI, purchase order processes, SKU setups, and new item submissions.

• Coordinate import requirements along with bilingual labeling and packaging needs.

• Provide demand forecasts to ensure timely and profitable volume within budget constraints.

• Collaborate with Marketing on promotional initiatives, co-op funds, support plans, and deductions.

• Customize assortment, content, and programs for each retail channel.

• Monitor sell-through rates, fill rates, chargebacks, compliance, and implement root-cause solutions.

• Keep internal stakeholders updated and synchronized on customer strategies and resources.

• Evaluate market data, sales trends, and competitive analysis.

• Enhance profitability with each retail partner.

• Manage trade shows, product launch events, and promotional campaigns.

• Undertake additional responsibilities as needed.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related discipline.

• Over 5 years of sales experience with large retailers, preferably in mass retail, consumer electronics, or the pet industry.

• Proven track record of establishing and maintaining strong relationships with retail buyers and partners.

• Demonstrated success in meeting or surpassing sales targets, opening new retail accounts, and identifying growth opportunities.

• Expertise in analyzing performance metrics, forecasting, and addressing issues to enhance profitability and performance.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Experience in managing retail channels and aligning product offerings with market needs and strategies.

• Ability to optimize promotional funds and profitability initiatives while effectively managing budgets.

• Proactive and adaptable approach to changing business requirements and improvement opportunities.

• Capability to work across teams, functions, and organizational levels.

• Willingness to travel 25–40%, including monthly retailer visits and possible trade shows.

• Residing in the Greater Toronto Area.

• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of proprietary information.

• Capacity to uphold a professional atmosphere in a fast-paced work environment.

• High level of initiative and self-motivation.

• Ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships.

• Comfortable with office pets (cats, dogs).

• Experience with distributors and sales agencies is a plus.

• Proficiency in French is a plus.

🏝️ Benefits

• Fully remote position based in Toronto.

• Opportunities for travel, including retailer visits and potential trade shows.

• An inclusive workplace that provides equal opportunities for growth.

• A human-first hiring approach that excludes AI-agent interviews.