Key Account Manager - New Business

This role is based on-site in our Charlotte, NC office with 2 days per week work-from-home flexibility.  Previous children’s product sales experience is required, with a preference for the toy industry. 
 

Schleich USA, Inc., a trusted name in the global toy industry, is seeking a results-oriented and proactive business development professional to join our team as a Key Account Manager (KAM) – New Business. This new addition will take the lead in identifying new market opportunities, building strong relationships with potential clients, and driving business growth, along with supporting others in this initiative. They will collaborate with internal teams to understand the company’s offerings and align strategies to target key markets and industries. Reporting directly to the Chief Commercial Officer, the KAM will have responsibility for the US, Canada, and Mexico.  
 

For this role, we need someone who can develop a strategy as well as ensure implementation.  Fundamentals include understanding account levers and making recommendations via sound business planning, inventing new processes, and taking ownership of customer and consumer challenges. The successful candidate will be intellectually curious and resourceful, an enthusiastic collaborator, an agile and open-minded business partner, and a customer-first analytical thinker.  
  

If you’ve ‘checked the boxes’ above, keep reading… and we look forward to hearing from you about the opportunity to join a global market leader in the figurine and playset business, sold in over 70 countries and charming both parents and children alike for 90 years.  
  

Key responsibilities:  

• Identify and create a plan for new business opportunities, along with requirements for successful sell-in and execution.
• Develop the strategic business plan which will create an annual account forecast which is managed monthly, and work with the Analytics and Planning team to track the progress on an ongoing basis while working internally to signal demand changes to the Demand and Supply Planning and Operations team needed for a successful implementation. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders (Marketing, Demand & Supply Planning, Customer Service, and Operations) to build cohesive go-to-market strategies, provide forecasted needs, review and execute all agreements required and identify any operational needs.
• Manage relationships with retail accounts, building rapport with key stakeholders and supporting their account needs 
• Flexibility to contribute at all levels of the business from high level strategy to the day-to-day hands-on operations 
• Prepare and deliver effective selling resources that implement channel business plans and employ effective negotiating strategies
• Communicate approved retail activities, promotional plans, merchandising and new item information to ensure retail execution
• Develop timely and accurate forecasts (volume and spend) for assigned channel 
• Work with Business Analyst to analyze data, trends and collaborate where needed on forecasts, item assortment selection, and promotional tracking
• Monitor and analyze marketplace trends, consumer sales and competitive activity to identify opportunities in listings and promotional activations
• Partner with marketing team to develop in store displays and trade marketing initiatives
• Meets assigned expectations for profitability
• Proactively assesses, clarifies, and validates channel needs on an ongoing basis
• Coordinates the involvement of company personnel, including support, service, and management resources, in order to meet channel performance objectives and customers’ expectations.  

Work experience and other requirements:   

• 5 years of outside sales or account management experience with a focus on acquiring new business
• Previous children’s product sales experience is required, with a preference for the toy industry
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Must be a closer with ability to negotiate deals  
• Ability to travel – up to 30% required, including occasional weekends 
• Strong knowledge of new business selling tactics and strategy
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication, negotiation, and analytical skills  
• Excellent problem solving, interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written 
• Proficient with MS Office with advanced Excel required – lookups, pivot tables  

Schleich is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.