Senior Sales Account Manager – Specialty Retail in Rolling Meadows, Illinois at Cottage Door Press LLC

About Cottage Door Press

Cottage Door Press is a fast-growing children’s publishing and consumer products company located in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. We create high-quality, engaging products designed to inspire curiosity, learning, and a love of reading. As we continue to expand our retail presence, we are seeking an experienced Senior Sales Account Manager to join our sales team.

Role Overview

The Senior Sales Account Manager will own and manage a portfolio of specialty retail accounts with responsibility for developing account strategy, driving profitable growth, and building strong, long-term customer relationships. This position will lead all aspects of the business across assigned accounts, including sales planning, buyer presentations, negotiations, forecasting, execution, and performance analysis.

The ideal candidate is an experienced, proactive sales professional who understands the retail environment, can independently manage buyer relationships and independent sales representatives, and has a demonstrated ability to identify and convert opportunities into profitable growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the sales strategy, annual budget, and overall performance of a portfolio of specialty retail accounts.
• Develop and execute account-specific growth plans aligned with company sales and profitability objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with buyers and other key customer decision-makers.
• Identify and pursue new product placements, programs, departments, and other opportunities to expand the business within existing and prospective accounts.
• Independently lead customer meetings, presentations, negotiations, and ongoing account communication.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, programs, and vendor agreements while maintaining company profitability objectives.
• Manage the complete customer presentation and submission process, including presentations, product samples, item submissions, pricing, product information, and follow-up.
• Develop and maintain accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual sales forecasts.
• Analyze sales performance, POS data, inventory, and account trends to identify opportunities, risks, and appropriate actions.
• Ensure customer deadlines, vendor requirements, product launches, and program commitments are executed accurately and on time.
• Manage promotional spending, placement fees, advertising allowances, markdown support, and returns as appropriate.
• Manage and provide direction to independent sales representatives, including establishing priorities, communicating sales strategies and product opportunities, monitoring performance, and ensuring alignment with company objectives.
• Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Creative, Operations, Demand Planning, and other internal teams to execute customer programs and achieve account objectives.
• Provide customer and market insights to help inform product development, assortment planning, and broader sales strategy.
• Proactively resolve customer issues and develop solutions that support both the customer relationship and company objectives.
• Represent Cottage Door Press at customer meetings, trade shows, and industry events.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Sales, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of sales account management experience, including direct selling and ownership of customer relationships.
• Experience managing specialty retail accounts preferred; experience calling on Farm Stores is a plus.
• Experience selling books or toys is a plus.
• Experience managing and working effectively with independent sales representatives, including the ability to set expectations, provide direction, and hold representatives accountable for results.
• Demonstrated track record of developing accounts and driving profitable sales growth.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze sales performance, POS data, forecasts, and account trends and translate insights into action.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with the ability to independently manage multiple accounts, opportunities, and deadlines.
• Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and initiative.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint and comfortable working within Google Workspace.
• Understanding of retail supply chain processes and automated retail systems preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 25%, including overnight travel.