Strategic Account Executive

Company Overview:

Trends International, LLC is a leading publisher and distributor of licensed products, including posters, calendars, social stationery, stickers, and related items. Serving major retailers through facilities in key locations, Trends is dedicated to delivering high-quality creative products that inspire and engage audiences worldwide.

Job Summary:

The Strategic Account Executive grows and protects strategic customer accounts by building key relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and driving revenue and margin growth. This role develops account plans, leads negotiations and proposals, manages forecasts and CRM activity, and partners with internal teams to deliver customer-focused solutions, expand product and distribution opportunities, and retain existing business.

General Responsibilities:

• Own and grow relationships with assigned strategic accounts, serving as the primary point of contact for key customer stakeholders.
• Maintain strong relationships with licensor and studio retail teams for assigned accounts, ensuring Trends products are included in broader retail pitches and gathering buyer feedback on specific property opportunities.
• Protect and expand existing business by driving revenue, margin, retention, and organic account growth.
• Identify, develop, and close new business opportunities, including new customers, channels, products, categories, and distribution opportunities.
• Develop and execute annual account plans, strategic customer reviews, and growth initiatives aligned with customer and company objectives.
• Build strong relationships with key decisionmakers and uncover opportunities for cross-selling, upselling, and expanded partnerships.
• Prepare and deliver proposals, sales programs, business presentations, and customer recommendations to secure new and expanded business.
• Lead customer negotiations, coordinating pricing, terms, and agreements while maintaining profitability targets.
• Develop accurate sales forecasts and maintain timely, complete CRM records for accounts, opportunities, and customer activity.
• Monitor account performance, including sales growth, declines, revenue trends, margin, and opportunity pipelines, and take action to address risks or capitalize on opportunities.
• Partner with Product Development, Operations, Finance, Licensing, and other internal teams to develop customer-focused solutions, assortments, and programs.
• Provide direction to Account Managers on customer priorities, initiatives, follow-up actions, and account strategy.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strategic sales and business development skills with a focus on revenue, margin, and account growth.
• Strong relationship-building, consultative selling, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to identify and close new business, cross-selling, upselling, and channel opportunities.
• Analytical and financial skills in account planning, forecasting, pricing, and performance review.
• Clear communication, presentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Experience and Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Sales, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in the licensed products and consumer goods industries, with an understanding of licensing partnerships, product development, and bringing retail programs to market.
• 5+ years of strategic account management, business development, or consultative B2B sales experience with a proven record of growing revenue, retaining accounts, leading negotiations, and managing forecasts.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to remain in a stationary position and operate a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other standard office equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers and internal teams in person, by phone, email, and virtual meeting platforms.
• Ability to occasionally travel to customer sites, meetings, trade shows, or other business-related events, as needed.

Trends International, LLC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA). Per the ADA, Trends International, LLC will make reasonable accommodation for known physical or mental disabilities of a qualified and disabled applicant or employee. Trends International, LLC may decline to accommodate the request should it cause an undue hardship on the operations of the company. It is the responsibility of the employee or applicant to request accommodation. The individual should identify what accommodation they believe is needed to successfully perform the functions of the job above. Employees may be asked to provide medical evidence to support the need for the requested accommodation. Please contact the People & Culture department with any questions or requests for accommodation.