Account Manager (Best Buy, Target, Walmart)

Description

Whisker is the maker of Litter-Robot, Feeder-Robot, and Litterbox.com. At Whisker, we believe pet parenthood can always get better.

As leading innovators in pet tech and refined pet accessories, we work tirelessly to solve problems and deliver smarter insights for pet parents while enriching the lives of pets. Whether it’s a self-cleaning litter box that automates scooping, an automatic feeder that helps pets develop healthier eating habits, or a modern cat tree that delights both humans and felines, we strive to deliver better solutions for consumers while transforming pet care along the way. To us, having a pet is the best thing ever. At Whisker, life together just keeps getting better.

Whisker is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Juneau, Wisconsin with 600 passionate team members.

What You’ll Do:

As the first designated Account Manager in this role, you’ll be at the forefront of shaping and growing key client relationships in a rapidly expanding company. This is a unique opportunity to build and define processes, set strategic direction, and directly impact the success of the business. You’ll be an integral part of a dynamic team, helping to lay the foundation for long-term growth and success.

Summary:

This role oversees and optimizes relationships with key retail partners (Best Buy, Target, Walmart), driving strategic collaboration to achieve sales goals and maximize business opportunities. It includes managing retail buyer relationships, aligning internal resources, ensuring profitability, and maintaining seamless communication across stakeholders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary.

• Defines, optimizes and grows key retail channels by overseeing the totality of Whisker’s relationship with key retailers (Best Buy, Target, Walmart).
• Provides strategic oversight and thought partnership with internal stakeholders to optimize Whisker’s place with the retail partners.
• Develops, motivates, manages, and maintains an effective relationship with retail buyers at Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. 
• Optimizes the company’s competitive position; works closely with the retailer to develop and maximize business opportunities in an effort to achieve or exceed sales plan.
• Manages external partner strategy and relationships focused on meeting partnership timelines and critical metrics. Leads day-to-day partner relationships, escalations, and executive-level presentations.
• Maintains effective and timely internal communication with key stakeholders to ensure adjustments to customer strategies are understood and available resources are aligned efficiently.
• Collaborates with marketing to ensure the effective utilization of promotional and marketing funds to develop and expand business at respective retailers fully document support plans and ensure timely tracking of deductions.
• Continuously seeks profitability optimization initiatives with the retailer. 
• Ensures retail business needs are met without compromising the defined market channel strategy; develop, market and sell products appropriate to the channel as defined within strategy guidelines by leveraging capacity and creativity of the creative resources.
• Submits accurate forecasts to ensure the delivery of the appropriate product to customers in a timely and efficient manner to achieve profit volume, while remaining within budgetary guidelines.
• Analyzes vendor performance metrics and identifies issues and root-causes, ultimately solving vendor performance issues or problems.
• Will perform additional responsibilities when required 

Requirements

What You’ll Bring:

• BS in Marketing, Communications, Business, or related field 
• 5 years sales experience working with large retailers including managing sales in Best Buy, Target, and Walmart
• Ability to travel 40% (at least once a month)
• Maintains confidentiality of proprietary information
• Ability to maintain a professional atmosphere in a fast-paced environment with numerous interactions and interruptions
• A high degree of initiative, self-motivation, and ability to motivate others
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Team Members and colleagues
• Comfortable with office pets (cats, dogs) 
• Located in the Detroit metropolitan area and able to work from the Auburn Hills office on a hybrid bases 
• Ideal applicant should have a sense of humor and a love for pets - because we take our work seriously, but not ourselves, and we know the best coworkers have four legs (or wings, or fins)

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Relationship Management: Proven ability to build and sustain strong relationships with retail buyers and partners to drive business growth.
• Sales and Business Development: Demonstrated success in achieving or exceeding sales targets and identifying growth opportunities within key retail channels.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Expertise in analyzing performance metrics, forecasting, and resolving issues to optimize profitability and performance.
• Communication and Collaboration: Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to align internal stakeholders and collaborate cross-functionally.
• Market and Channel Strategy Expertise: Experience in managing retail channels and aligning product offerings with market demands and defined strategies.
• Financial and Marketing Acumen: Ability to optimize promotional funds and profitability initiatives while managing budgets effectively.
• Adaptability and Initiative: Proactive and flexible in addressing evolving business needs and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Team Player: Ability to work across teams, functions, and all levels of the organization to manage the business effectively and efficiently. 

Benefits & Purrks: 

Join a tenacious, inventive company that empowers team members to chart their own path, lead by grounding decisions in the “why”, and has a strong sense of empathy and openness to new perspectives. Be a part of exciting growth, work with incredible people, and create tomorrow’s pet products—plus a whole lot of extras. You will also be provided with:

• Premium Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Whisker Parents Program
• 1 day "pawternity" leave for new pet adoption
• Pet Insurance Discount
• 401K match
• Flexible spending accounts
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Generous paid time off
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Top of the line equipment
• Pet-friendly office
• Whisker products and swag
• Continuing education Support
• On-site gym with Peloton
• Referral program

Statement of Inclusivity:

We believe different perspectives make Whisker better and strive to create a place where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.

Please ensure to regularly check your email spam folder for any communication from Whisker to avoid missing important updates regarding your application status.

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