Key Account Manager-Keds

At Designer Brands, we are the proud parent company of DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Company, and Rubino, operating nearly 675 stores across North America and a billion-dollar digital commerce business. We lead the footwear industry with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands, including Topo Athletic, Keds, Vince Camuto, Kelly & Katie, Jessica Simpson, Lucky Brand, Mix No. 6, Crown Vintage, and others. With expertise in design, production, and sourcing, we create on-trend footwear and accessories, delivered through a robust omni-channel infrastructure and national wholesale distribution. At Designer Brands, we are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, where each employee’s unique perspective contributes to our success. Anchored by our core values of “We Love What We Do,” “We Own What We Do,” “We Do What’s Right,” and “We Belong,” we continuously drive forward together, building a future where everyone can put their best foot forward.

 

The Opportunity

Step into a role where relationships fuel growth and curiosity drives market impact. As an Expert IC #1 on our North America Sales team, you expand brand reach, strengthen customer partnerships, and shape the product and planning conversation through real-world insights. You lead a piece of our wholesale business by blending analytics, collaboration, and an instinct for what customers love—ultimately delivering sales, profit, and shipping results that move the business forward.

What You’ll Be Doing

Building and Growing Customer Relationships

• Develop and nurture strong partnerships with new and existing customers.
• Understand each customer’s unique needs to create assortments that fuel growth and reflect brand opportunities.

Steering the Business Through Analytics + Insight

• Create and interpret forecasts and business reports to uncover customer needs, track performance, and guide future plans.
• Monitor account progress—including sales, shipping, and opportunities—through consistent reporting and communication.

Driving Sales, Profitability & Operational Excellence

• Negotiate internally and externally to meet sales and profit goals.
• Manage orders, including the tracking and shipping of samples.
• Partner with Planning to:
  • Maintain account P&Ls
  • Review markdown projections
  • Recommend markdown strategies
  • Identify alternative outlets for slower inventory

Fueling Market Understanding & Brand Positioning

• Conduct store visits and competitive shopping to stay connected to customer perspective and industry trends.
• Share real-time insights with leadership and cross‑functional partners.

Bringing the Brand to Life in Market

• Prepare for and support shoe shows, showrooms, and regional presentations.
• Understand marketplace shifts and adapt assortments and messaging to support customer needs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with product, marketing, planning, and customer service to apply insights and unlock sales opportunities.
• Manage and maintain Drop Ship accounts, including setup and ongoing oversight.

What You’ll Need

Skills

• Ability to work independently with a proactive, self-starting approach
• Strong retail math skills with the ability to analyze metrics, identify trends, and build informed sales strategies
• Experience making business recommendations based on analysis
• Strong customer relationship‑building skills
• Collaborative mindset with clear, inclusive communication
• Strong organization, prioritization, and time‑management skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Professional presence and customer‑focused approach
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with strong Excel capability

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience: 3+ years of related footwear or accessory wholesale sales experience
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in footwear/accessory sales

Perks and Benefits You’ll Enjoy!

 

• Your Sole Well-Being: Our benefits package is crafted with our associates in mind! We support you with benefits like free virtual health care, robust family/fertility benefits, 401(k) w/ match, and more. Explore our o