Strategic Account Manager in Eau Claire, Wisconsin at WILD MARKETING GROUP INC

Wild Marketing Group is seeking a highly driven and relationship-focused Strategic Account Manager to lead and grow our retail relationships, with a primary focus on the Menard’s account. This individual will play a critical role in developing new business opportunities, deepening existing customer partnerships, and driving strategic growth across multiple product categories. Ensuring Menard’s remains a top priority in all planning, execution, and relationship management efforts.

The ideal candidate combines strong product knowledge, retail expertise, and business acumen with an infectious personality that builds trust naturally with customers and internal teams alike. They bring deep familiarity with Menard’s business culture, buying processes, and expectations and are energized by the challenge of growing and protecting that relationship. They are highly motivated, resilient, detail-oriented, and thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and grow strategic relationships within defined major accounts and within various product categories
• Maintain a high level of responsiveness, accessibility, and partnership with customers
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities within existing and prospective customers
• Use sales data, product trends, and market insights to drive business decisions and customer recommendations
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product development, engineering, sourcing, creative, merchandising, supply chain, and operations teams to execute customer initiatives
• Present product concepts, packaging, merchandising, displays, and category solutions to customers
• Manage business at the SKU level, understanding product performance, assortment opportunities, pricing, margins, freight, and promotional impact
• Partner closely with factories and sourcing teams throughout the product development and fulfillment process
• Effectively manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines while maintaining a high level of customer support and execution

• 10+ years of sales, account management, or retail business development experience
• Experience selling to large retail accounts, preferably within top 25 retailers
• Deep knowledge of big box retail environments; direct Menard’s account experience is strongly preferred and considered a significant differentiator
• Understanding of product development, packaging, merchandising, and retail presentation
• Proven ability to analyze data and translate insights into actionable business strategies
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams
• High integrity, accountability, and a positive, solution-oriented attitude
• Able to be in the Menards office 3-4 times per week and lives within the Eau Claire community

Core Competencies

• Urgency: Speed to market wins. Must be fast and accurate.
• Empathy: Understands client needs to build trust and offer tailored solutions
• Resilience & Grit: Handles setbacks with composure and persists until success is achieved
• Achievement Orientation: Goal-driven with a consistent desire to meet or exceed targets
• Conscientiousness: Highly reliable with diligent follow-through on every commitment
• Curiosity: Eager to learn about each client’s business and the specific problems they need solved
• Modesty & Humility: Keeps focus on the customer, not ego
• Confidence: Believes in themselves and their product; persuasive and poised under pressure
• Adaptability: Adjusts fluidly to different personalities, situations, and evolving account demands