Founding Director of Retail & Channel Sales

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary|

We are an established outdoor products manufacturer with over 10 years of industry

experience, specializing in pop-up canopies, commercial tents, patio gazebos, patio

umbrellas, and shade solutions.

We are seeking a strategic and entrepreneurial Founding Director of Retail &

Channel Sales to lead the development and expansion of our U.S. retail and

distribution channels.

This is an opportunity for an experienced sales leader to help build our U.S. channel

business, establish strategic partnerships, develop a strong dealer network, and

create a scalable sales structure for long-term growth.

Responsibilities|Develop U.S. Channel Strategy| Build and execute a

comprehensive channel sales strategy covering dealers, distributors,

wholesalers, rental companies, and retail accounts.

• Build and Expand Dealer Networks: Identify target markets, develop strategic channel partners, and build long-term business relationships across key U.S. regions.
• Develop Strategic Retail Accounts:Identify and pursue opportunities with big-box retailers, specialty retail chains, and other high-potential accounts.
• Drive Revenue and Channel Growth:Set sales objectives, develop account plans, monitor pipeline performance, and implement initiatives to achieve revenue and profitability goals.
• Build a Sales Network:Recruit, coordinate, and manage independent manufacturer’s representatives, regional sales representatives, and channel partners as the business expands.
• Establish Sales Processes:Develop channel performance metrics, reporting processes, account management practices, and sales forecasting systems.
• Collaborate Across Teams:Work with internal teams on product strategy, pricing, marketing support, inventory planning, and fulfillment to support channel growth.
• Report Business Performance:Provide leadership with insights into market opportunities, channel performance, strategic account development, and growth priorities.

Qualifications|

• Extensive experience in U.S. B2B sales, channel development, distribution, or

retail account management.

• Demonstrated success building dealer or distributor networks and developing

new business channels.

• Experience developing strategic relationships with major retailers, wholesalers,

or industry partners.

• Strong commercial judgment and the ability to develop channel strategies that

support sustainable revenue growth and profitability.

• Experience managing sales teams, independent representatives, or external

channel partners.

• Strong negotiation, leadership, business planning, and performance

management skills. An entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to build business processes and sales

networks from the ground up.

• Proven achievements in channel development, dealer network expansion, or

strategic account growth.

• Experience developing business across multiple U.S. regions or managing a

national channel strategy is strongly preferred.

• Ability to develop a practical business plan with clear priorities, measurable

goals, and execution milestones.

• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to establish trust with

customers, partners, and internal stakeholders.

• Ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on in early-stage channel

development.

• Willingness to travel for strategic customer meetings, trade shows, and channel

development as needed.

What You’ll Receive|

Base Compensation: $ 120,000–$ 180,000 annually as a starting point for discussion, depending on experience, qualifications, and scope of responsibility.

Performance Bonus: Additional performance-based bonuses tied to agreed

business growth and channel development objectives.

Long-Term Incentives: Potential long-term incentives designed to align your

contributions with the company’s growth and success, subject to the final

compensation arrangement.

We offer a competitive, growth-oriented compensation package that combines a

strong base compensation foundation with performance rewards and potential long-

term incentives. The overall package will be tailored to the right candidate’s

experience, leadership capabilities, and expected business impact.

How to Apply|Please submit your resume and highlight your channel development achievements,

dealer or distributor network experience, major retail account relationships, sales

performance, and leadership experience.

Qualified candidates may also include a brief outline of their proposed first 90-day

plan for developing our U.S. retail and channel business.