Key Account Sales Manager - Chicago

Jellycat is a privately owned design-led, gift brand headquartered in London. We create innovative luxurious products in the soft toy, accessory, baby and book categories that are loved around the world. We have an established and growing global customer base and we work with our partners to maximize the potential and reach of Jellycat throughout, sharing joy as we go!

As we continue to grow throughout North America, we continue to develop and improve the presence and awareness of our brand.

The main focus of this role is to build our portfolio of Key Accounts, ensure we are maximizing growth opportunity, look fantastic in-stores, and build Jellycat Brand Awareness. You will also be responsible for managing certain strategic Midwest Key Accounts, working closely with the buyers and their teams to build short term and long term plans to grow the business across our various product categories of Loveables, Amuseables, Baby Jellycat, Books and Accessories. You will work closely with your manager and the VP of Sales to achieve go-to-market plans and be responsible for aligning on annual budget plans and how you will achieve those, but we would never compromise brand positioning (luxury) in favor of revenue, so this is critical in the underpinning of everything we do. There is a great ‘can-do’ team culture here at Jellycat, and it’s important that you are not only a self-starting ambassador and salesperson for Jellycat but are a great team player willing to get involved in what needs to be done in order to achieve great things in the Midwest.

You'll be:

• Managing a portfolio of house accounts, developing strong, engaging relationships to achieve the best possible results for the partnership in growing Jellycat
• Maximize the full potential in each store, and proactively present back the plans and results to senior management
• You will implement best-practice to ensure we are continuously improving and driving innovation and change to better service the customer and represent Jellycat
• Responsible for full year financial budget plans and how you achieve those sales plans, which align with the over-arching strategy for Jellycat
• Pro-actively identify growth and brand awareness opportunities within partnerships to unlock our full retail opportunity – whether Baby Jellycat, Loveables, Amuseables, Books or Accessories
• Build short term and long term go-to-market strategies for the portfolio of accounts
• Visit customers and stores regularly to stay close to your account base and ensure we are always looking our best at retail and execute fantastic in-store branding to stimulate sell-thru
• Ensure operations and logistics are working efficiently and effectively with your customers and pro-actively work through ways to improve working processes
• Confidently prepare and present new collections to buyers to ensure opportunities are maximized when reaching consumers
• Be a Jellycat Brand Ambassador always – exploring every LUXURY opportunity where we can raise Brand Awareness with our target consumers
• Follow and be aware of your customers online and SoMe activity ensuring they are operating within the T&C’s and Brand Guidelines
• Sales and Stock reporting as required and requested – data accuracy is paramount
• Present to manager, VP of Sales, and ultimately the Sales Director any in-store conceptual branding opportunities (SIS, pop-ups, window takeovers)
• Work with demand planning team to ensure future demand is captured to support growth
• Build bespoke, inspiring PowerPoint presentations for customers and for the senior team as required – dependent on brief
• Order entry into SAP/ERP system to ensure end to end management of account from a system perspective – managing and communicating backorders for your accounts
• Working closely with the credit control team to ensure we are working within the validated financial risk and implementing payments plans where necessary to keep stock flowing smoothly
• Monitor stock ETS for your accounts and ensuring high levels of customer service to your accounts
• Attending US tradeshows or market visits wherever necessary
• Assisting manager and VP of Sales on ad-hoc requests wherever required

You'll have:

• Minimum of 10+ years experience in sales, of which 5+ years must be in key accounts
• Experienced in setting SMART objectives for individuals that align with the company goals
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential
• Ideally has experience within a Luxury brand to understand the premium positioning
• Excellent excel skills and ability to read, forecast and communicate financial projections
• Highly organized and able to multi-task and manage multiple deadlines
• Essential to be a creative thinker and decision maker while seeking guidance from senior team
• Passionate about Jellycat and our characters and brand
• You are a brand ambassador for Jellycat and not just a salesperson!
• Ability to prepare for a sales meeting with buyers and lead a professional sales meeting
• Sound PowerPoint skills and ability to present to customers and internal teams alike
• Problem solving and solution based methodology
• A true team player who is flexible, personable, positive and is motivated by being part of a high performing team

Our Perks & Benefits:

• Discretionary Bonus - All employees are eligible for a discretionary annual bonus based on the success of the company.
• Medical, Dental, Vision and other Benefits - Jellycat offers medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN (along with a generous employer Health Savings Account contribution), dental coverage through Delta Dental of MN as well as vision coverage through DeltaVision. Jellycat also offers company paid Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Basic Life Insurance, and the opportunity to elect additional voluntary life insurance.
• Safe Harbor Employer Contributions - Upon eligibility, Jellycat contributes 3% to the 401k investment account independent of the employees' elections for individual contributions.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) - Jellycat offers up to 30 days of combined vacation and sick time at the start of each calendar year.
• Employee Assistance Program - Committed to the health and wellbeing of all our employees, we offer a comprehensive and confidential support program.
• Paid Parking & Other Building Amenities - Full-time parking space is provided and paid for by the company in the TractorWork’s covered ramp attached to the skyway. TractorWork’s offers several amenities for employees including an on site medical clinic and pharmacy, state of the art work out facility at no charge, both Bar La Grassa and Snack Bar are located in the building, Foodsby delivery daily for lunch, and several great coffee shops, lunch spots and walking paths within minutes of our door, and excellent morning coffee served as you walk in the building at no charge.
• Regular Social & Team Events - We have a very imaginative and active social committee who meet regularly to put on events that help us mark special occasions and celebrate our successes as a team.

Compensation Range:

• $90k - $110k