National Account Manager, National, Mass, Pet Specialty

ABOUT BARK

Here at BARK, we love dogs and their people. We’re looking to make all dogs happy throughout the entire world (we’re not kidding). Think Disney for dogs -- we make magic for dogs and their people through our products, events, and experiences.

Our ambition level is high, the opportunity is huge, and our love for dogs is through the roof! We launched in 2011 with BarkBox, a monthly-themed subscription of all-natural treats and clever toys. Since then, we've shipped more than 70 million toys and treats to the dogs across the world and use all of that direct customer feedback to inform new initiatives and ways to make magic between dogs and their people. We’ve since expanded into other offerings as well, as we aim to become THE Dog Company for every family with a four-legged, belly-scratch-loving, interspecies family member.

THE TEAM

BARK Retail & Partnerships is where amazing product, content, and experiences come together. From the surprise and delight of seasonal assortments at Target, to custom products at your local Dunkin Donuts, to the Winterfest slope-side experience with Subaru, BARK Retail is where we engage and super-serve our consumers in real life. We seek to deepen our existing partnerships across channels and categories as well as to develop new relationships that introduce BARK to new audiences on different platforms. We are building our team with dog lovers who like to move fast and who have a passion for business development. If you are insightful, creative, and like to innovate on the status quo, we want to hear from you!

WHO WE’RE SNIFFING FOR 

On the BARK Retail team, we are looking for smart, strategic, and creative individuals who have a passion for not only growing BARK’s business in existing Retail channels and partners, but who also want to change the Retail conversation itself.  Bark magic has transformed the world of dog toys and treats, and as we continue to grow, we are looking to apply the same entrepreneurial spirit to our brand in Retail.  

We seek a National Accounts Manager who can confidently sell our lifestyle brand into existing & new national level retailers in Mass and within the world of pet specialty.  A dog lover with a strong business acumen and attention to detail for financials, planning, category management and business relationships.  An individual who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment, working closely with cross functional partners to achieve a common goal.   

KEY DUTIES 

• Ownership of day-to-day account management, with an opportunistic eye for account growth.  Both with existing and new accounts.  
• Build strong relationships with buyers and rep firms if/where they exist; this includes leadership of current initiatives as well as opportunistic growth pitches and travel to retailer HQ.
• Development and implementation of accounts’ overall strategy including translating retailer problems and needs into BARK opportunity and monitoring on-going execution to optimize learning and success.
• Take accountability for key account revenue and profitability goals; seek opportunity throughout the year to deliver above plan.
• Assist team in development and execution of channel marketing initiatives – in-store experience, floor sales training & incentives, promotional activity.
• Take accountability for key account revenue and profitability goals; seek opportunity throughout the year to deliver above plan.
• Monitor product assortments, sales and inventory positions of all accounts, to ensure optimum sell-through as well as sell-in.
• Maintain general market awareness and knowledge of account activities; monitor/ communicate competitive conditions and product/design trends. 
• Ensure cross-functional communication within the BARK retail team.
• Work alongside the retail management team and finance to negotiate terms, discounts, freight and return requests in line with internal goals. Will also have responsibility for implementing and enforcing Online and Digital advertising policies to ensure accounts are following the most updated set of policies.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 10-15 years of relevant experience in managing national accounts within the pet specialty and/or mass channels.
• Category management skills are a plus to analyze and develop strong growth plans.    
• Highly skilled in retail account management – experience with multiple channels of trade & key retailers.
• Obsessed with customer relationships & long-view account planning/expansion
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, be proactive and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organization, negotiation, communication and presentation skills.
• Strong team player with ability