Canada Pooch - Key Account Manager

Key Account Manager- Canada Pooch Ltd. 

This is your opportunity to join the rapidly-growing dynamic team at one of North America’s most loved pet product companies – Canada Pooch (www.CanadaPooch.com). Canada Pooch is the industry’s leading brand of pet apparel, calming, toys, and walking accessories. Our functional products are sold in pet specialty retailers worldwide, and pet parents everywhere look to Canada Pooch as a trusted and much-loved brand for their pets.  

We are looking for a highly motivated, confident, hard-working and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a Key Account Manager. This role will report directly to the Director of Strategic Accounts [DSA] and is perfect for a self-starter seeking a high-impact role that will directly contribute to the direction of a rapidly growing brand.  

Position Overview: 

The Key Account Manager [KAM] for Canada Pooch [CP] is responsible for managing the Company’s prospective and current regional key accounts in North America [primarily in the US]. The KAM’s goal is to achieve budget by growing business with established key accounts, and to go out and capture new business with key multi-unit pet specialty [MUPS] prospects. In this role, the KAM will prospect, build, and maintain key customer relationships.  

The successful candidate will need to have the ability to sell-in multiple product categories. This role will include developing annual sales budgets and monthly unit forecasts. Understanding key metrics for accounts will be critical; a proactive approach to providing solutions that are mutually beneficial for the account and Canada Pooch is non-negotiable. 

Reporting directly to the Director of Strategic Accounts on a remote basis, the incumbent will also work closely with both the Director and the VP of Sales to develop strategies to maximize profits by increasing door counts, SKU penetration, and top line and margin sales dollars with both existing accounts and new prospects.  

This position requires a self-starter who can manage and effectively prioritize workflow while traveling and working from home. This role requires travel up to 50% of the time, notably around new launches and key industry tradeshows.  

Preference will be given to candidates in the U.S.A. The role involves managing U.S. clients and accounts, and proximity to U.S. customers or markets is essential for performance. 

What you will do: 

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key accounts to understand their needs and drive sales growth.  

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing and supply chain, to ensure seamless execution of account deliverables and strategy. 

• Analyze market trends and account performance to identify opportunities for expansion and improvement.  

• Create and present sales proposals and forecasts, aligning with the strategic objectives of the company.  

• Negotiate contracts and pricing agreements to maximize profitability while ensuring customer success.  

• Provide exceptional customer service and support to all key accounts. 
  
  

• Be proactive in identifying and addressing issues before they escalate, showing customers they can rely on you to solve problems.

• Conduct sales presentations to accounts, both virtually and in person.

• Communicate your message clearly and concisely

• Use storytelling techniques and interactive elements to engage your audience.  

• Be prepared to adjust your presentation in real time based on the audience’s reactions and feedback.  

• Provide feedback to product development team on future launches. 

• Gather insights from the marketplace regarding customers needs, preferences, and pain points that inform product development.  

• Identify, qualify, and close key retail prospects in the US.   

• Quickly dissect information and identify which solutions CP can provide to grow sales for key prospects across multiple product categories.  

• Establish trust as an industry expert  

• Consistently follow up using approaches that will be beneficial for both retailer and CP  

• Split time allocation between prospecting new business and managing existing accounts for continued growth.  

Requirements: 

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or a related field, or equivalent experience required (3+ years in Pet Specialty distribution)  

• Hardgoods experience in pet industry preferred; CPG experience an asset

• Sales and distribution process experience required, preferably covering a large geographic region 

• Valid driver’s licence 

• Ability to travel up to 50%  

• Strong business acumen with the ability to learn a new and complex business 

• Superior communication with strong active listening skills 

• Ability to lead, achieve results, motivate high performing teams, and manage change  

What we offer: 

• An opportunity to grow with a dynamic company 

• Competitive base salary and variable compensation package 

• Three (3) weeks of vacation at start + generous Paid TIme Off 

• Wellness Stipend and employee discounts 

• Full suite of health and dental benefits 

Our Values: 

We stick together | We do the right thing | We are all entrepreneurs | We are Product obsessed | We tell it like it is | We’ve got our customer’s back 

Canada Pooch values diversity in its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. Applicants requiring a disability-related accommodation at any stage of Canada Pooch's recruitment process should contact [email protected]. As required by legislation, Canada Pooch will consult with applications requesting such an accommodation to ensure that Canada Pooch's recruitment process takes into account their accessibility needs. 

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