American Greetings Corp.
Seasonal Sales Director
Overview: Hybrid role based out of Westlake, Ohio, focused on candidates residing in Northeast Ohio. The Seasonal Sales Director will work with the Occasion and Category Teams, Insights & Analytics, Marketing, and Sales Operations to manage and grow the American Greetings’ Seasonal businesses profitability.
Responsibilities
Be an expert on the retailer, the consumer, the industry, and the American Greetings business and product categories.
Be customer‑centric and solution‑oriented; develop and maintain effective working relationships with buyers and other key retail partners while finding win‑wins for both organizations.
Demonstrate a growth‑mindset with a focus on relentless selling and results: profitable sales growth, market share growth vs. the competition, new store, new category or new placement growth.
Accountable for the strategic management of the retailer’s Seasonal business, including but not limited to:
Work with the Senior Sales Director to set the pace of agenda items based on internal and/or retailer deliverable dates, relevance, or other key impetuses.
Work with internal cross‑functional partners to assess the business and coordinate and plan activities to meet retailer‑facing deliverables.
Evaluate performance / identify key drivers, track, and contingency planning.
Create presentations rooted in insights (POS, trend, consumer, product), tailored to retailer key priorities, and highlight thought leadership, category leadership and retailer benefits.
Present performance recaps and sales plans to the retailer, effectively communicate materials, field questions, address key retailer concerns, and summarize key takeaways and next steps.
Update internal cross‑functional partners on retailer feedback, expectations, and status of programs/deliverables with a goal of progressing work and/or driving outstanding issues to closure.
Demonstrate financial acumen when managing the business, problem solving and decision making, setting and negotiating terms, and assisting in the development and execution of the joint business plan and internal financial plan.
Deliver the sales and margin goals of both the internal plan and the joint business plan.
Manage the marketing budget, in conjunction with the Senior Sales Director and internal marketing partners; understand marketing tactics and evaluate and manage spend based on results and retailer obligations.
Have deep knowledge and understanding of all retailer requirements including but not limited to key priorities, and financial, contractual, and distribution obligations and ensure flawless execution and service. Leverage knowledge of retailer requirements to influence business decisions internally and externally.
Partner seamlessly with all internal cross‑functional team members; articulate retailer strategies and commercial objectives while influencing and collaborating to execute against joint goals.
May manage one or more direct reports; if so, ensure deliverables are met and be responsible for coaching, training, and talent development.
May manage one or more Kroger divisions; if so, ensure proper contact and discussions occur to meet the divisional expectations and drive sales performance.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
7+ years previous experience in sales; including proven strategic and proactive account management skills; additional 5+ years previous experience in product management, marketing, field/sales operations or related areas preferred.
Minimum of 3 years successfully managing strategic accounts on a regional or national scale, with significant financial responsibility.
3+ years prior management experience successfully managing managers or professional level individual contributors.
Experience leading a critical project team and making a lasting impact on the organization’s efficiency and effectiveness.
Customer‑centric: thorough understanding of retailer needs, wants, and expectations; tailor strategies, programs, and interactions to retailer preferences and needs; create long‑term loyal relationships built on trust and satisfaction.
Thought leadership and strategic thinking: intentional and sound thought process focused on understanding critical factors and variables that will influence long‑term success with the retailer and growth for American Greetings.
Sound problem solving and decision making skills; approach problems and decisions methodically, isolate causes from symptoms, favor an inclusive approach to ensure commitment to the end result, act readily and decisively.
Financial acumen: informed business decisions based on financial impact, interpret financial statements, negotiate terms, manage budgets.
Strong performance orientation: self‑motivated, achievement driven, persistent until goal is reached; produce results under demand and drive issues to closure.
Effective communication: active listening, summarizing ideas, clear and articulate both orally and in writing.
Relationship building: collaborate, influence, empathetic; maintain productive relationships through influence and collaboration.
Planning and organizing: highly productive and efficient meeting, resource, and initiative management.
Education Bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing/Sales or related field.
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Responsibilities
Be an expert on the retailer, the consumer, the industry, and the American Greetings business and product categories.
Be customer‑centric and solution‑oriented; develop and maintain effective working relationships with buyers and other key retail partners while finding win‑wins for both organizations.
Demonstrate a growth‑mindset with a focus on relentless selling and results: profitable sales growth, market share growth vs. the competition, new store, new category or new placement growth.
Accountable for the strategic management of the retailer’s Seasonal business, including but not limited to:
Work with the Senior Sales Director to set the pace of agenda items based on internal and/or retailer deliverable dates, relevance, or other key impetuses.
Work with internal cross‑functional partners to assess the business and coordinate and plan activities to meet retailer‑facing deliverables.
Evaluate performance / identify key drivers, track, and contingency planning.
Create presentations rooted in insights (POS, trend, consumer, product), tailored to retailer key priorities, and highlight thought leadership, category leadership and retailer benefits.
Present performance recaps and sales plans to the retailer, effectively communicate materials, field questions, address key retailer concerns, and summarize key takeaways and next steps.
Update internal cross‑functional partners on retailer feedback, expectations, and status of programs/deliverables with a goal of progressing work and/or driving outstanding issues to closure.
Demonstrate financial acumen when managing the business, problem solving and decision making, setting and negotiating terms, and assisting in the development and execution of the joint business plan and internal financial plan.
Deliver the sales and margin goals of both the internal plan and the joint business plan.
Manage the marketing budget, in conjunction with the Senior Sales Director and internal marketing partners; understand marketing tactics and evaluate and manage spend based on results and retailer obligations.
Have deep knowledge and understanding of all retailer requirements including but not limited to key priorities, and financial, contractual, and distribution obligations and ensure flawless execution and service. Leverage knowledge of retailer requirements to influence business decisions internally and externally.
Partner seamlessly with all internal cross‑functional team members; articulate retailer strategies and commercial objectives while influencing and collaborating to execute against joint goals.
May manage one or more direct reports; if so, ensure deliverables are met and be responsible for coaching, training, and talent development.
May manage one or more Kroger divisions; if so, ensure proper contact and discussions occur to meet the divisional expectations and drive sales performance.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
7+ years previous experience in sales; including proven strategic and proactive account management skills; additional 5+ years previous experience in product management, marketing, field/sales operations or related areas preferred.
Minimum of 3 years successfully managing strategic accounts on a regional or national scale, with significant financial responsibility.
3+ years prior management experience successfully managing managers or professional level individual contributors.
Experience leading a critical project team and making a lasting impact on the organization’s efficiency and effectiveness.
Customer‑centric: thorough understanding of retailer needs, wants, and expectations; tailor strategies, programs, and interactions to retailer preferences and needs; create long‑term loyal relationships built on trust and satisfaction.
Thought leadership and strategic thinking: intentional and sound thought process focused on understanding critical factors and variables that will influence long‑term success with the retailer and growth for American Greetings.
Sound problem solving and decision making skills; approach problems and decisions methodically, isolate causes from symptoms, favor an inclusive approach to ensure commitment to the end result, act readily and decisively.
Financial acumen: informed business decisions based on financial impact, interpret financial statements, negotiate terms, manage budgets.
Strong performance orientation: self‑motivated, achievement driven, persistent until goal is reached; produce results under demand and drive issues to closure.
Effective communication: active listening, summarizing ideas, clear and articulate both orally and in writing.
Relationship building: collaborate, influence, empathetic; maintain productive relationships through influence and collaboration.
Planning and organizing: highly productive and efficient meeting, resource, and initiative management.
Education Bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing/Sales or related field.
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