What are the responsibilities and job description for the Key Accounts Associate position at Creative Co-Op, Inc.?
Creative Co-Op, Inc. (www.creativecoop.com) is a leading importer and distributor of gift and home decorative accessories. We work with over 15,000 boutique specialty stores in North America, Fortune 500 national retailers and major eCommerce partners. Headquartered in Memphis, TN the company has hundreds of employees globally with offices and showrooms in Portland, Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas, and China.
Creative Co-Op is the cornerstone division of Regent Holding Company whose global brands also include Illume (www.illumecandles.com) based in Minneapolis, MN and Bloomingville (www.bloomingville.com) based in Ikast, Demark. Regent’s growth is backed by Freeman Spogli & Co. (www.freemanspogli.com), a leading private equity firm dedicated to investing in the consumer and distribution sectors.
We are looking for dedicated, high-energy creative individuals who want to join an industry leader undergoing rapid growth and expansion. We look for people who embody an entrepreneurial spirit and are drawn to our Core Values:
· Think First – We validate gut instincts with facts.
· Act The Right Way – Our integrity has been built over decades and can be lost in seconds.
· Care About More Than Yourself – We are passionate. We show that passion through a fierce commitment to our customers and colleagues.
· Embrace Evolution – We are hungry for improvement and never satisfied with the status quo.
Job Definition: The Key Account Associate role focuses on providing essential administrative and logistical support to our Sales Directors. This position plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth sales operations by assisting with account management details, coordinating with internal teams, and facilitating communication between departments. The role is designed to help maintain strong relationships with Key Account customers by supporting day-to-day processes, creating presentations, providing samples, tracking orders, and ensuring timely follow-ups.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Work with assigned Sales Directors, handling all logistical and administrative functions
- Manage the order process, including input, waving, routing, compliance, ship dates, and credits
- Answer incoming customer service inquiries regarding customer accounts, order placement, shipping timing, and claims/chargebacks
- Review and maintain vendor guides and communicate vendor requirements to all appropriate internal partners
- Perform data entry relating to orders and customer account maintenance
- Execute inventory reservations and ensure accuracy at the account level
- Generate accurate customer-specific work orders
- Work closely with the operations and compliance teams to ensure orders meet vendor guidelines
- Complete product information sheets in a timely manner
- Collaborate closely with the credit team to quickly mitigate outstanding balances
- Input, label, and track sample requests
- Propose opportunities for operational improvements to mitigate chargebacks
- Create compelling and visually engaging sales presentations in PowerPoint, ensuring content is tailored to client needs and aligned with company branding and messaging
- Gather and organize relevant sales data, market insights, and product information to support sales presentations
- Maintain and update presentation templates to ensure consistency and professionalism across all client-facing materials
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Required:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred or a minimum of 1-3 years of customer service, sales, or logistics experience
.
Skills/Abilities:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving ability and attention to detail
- Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment
- Strong organizational and multitasking skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Execute plans under time constraints
- Ability to resolve customer service issues
- Ability to manage stress effectively and adapt to shifting priorities
- Willingness to work in a competitive environment
- Proficient working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Excel, Word,
- with an emphasis on PowerPoint
- Must be willing to travel to customer meetings and industry trade shows
- Hybrid work schedule available
- Ability to stand for long periods of time
- Ability to lift up to 40lbs
