Account Executive – Lifestyle Accessories

Cole Haan•New York, NY

About The Position

The Account Executive is responsible for strategically planning, developing, and executing a business plan to achieve and exceed assigned sales growth targets for Cole Haan’s lifestyle category. The role manages the Lifestyle Business across men’s and women’s bags and women’s small leather goods within major department stores, specialty retailers, and new business opportunities. It requires in-depth knowledge of department store business practices and building strong relationships as a strategic partner and Cole Haan brand ambassador, internally and externally. The position works with senior leadership to develop short- and long-term plans aligned with corporate sales and profit goals, recommends product assortments, forecasts account needs, and manages orders against monthly financial goals. The Account Executive partners across functions to support customers, monitor account performance and stock, identify sales and assortment opportunities, and communicate competitive trends. The role is based in the New York office, with travel as required, and reports to the Senior Director of Sales - WFW and Lifestyle Accessories.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related area or equivalent experience.
At least 7 years of experience in handbag or accessories sales.
Entrepreneurial drive and ability to manage day-to-day details while defining and executing a long-term strategic vision and objectives.
Demonstrated track record of meeting sales or revenue goals with major account responsibility.
Understanding of retail profitability components.
Strong analytical, organizational, negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
Ability to establish and build effective working relationships.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team.

Nice To Haves

Department store-specific experience.

Responsibilities

Manage the Lifestyle Business across men’s and women’s bags and women’s small leather goods for major department stores, specialty retailers, and new business opportunities.
Attend quarterly sell-in meetings and execute plans with account partners in line with Cole Haan brand objectives.
Develop and implement short- and long-term strategic business plans with senior leadership to meet corporate sales and profit goals.
Develop recommended product assortments across categories and franchise businesses.
Liaise with the Cole Haan Merchandising team to provide product feedback, identify long-range product needs, and support robust assortment and development.
Forecast account needs and manage on-order business against monthly financial goals.
Use product and brand knowledge, selling strategies, and marketing strategies to inform and drive the business.
Coordinate between Cole Haan departments and customers to ensure service levels and expectations are met.
Collaborate with Customer Service, Marketing, Planning, Finance, and Merchandising to address customer needs.
Monitor weekly and monthly retail sales performance against account goals.
Develop sell-through strategies for underperforming categories.
Monitor stock levels and identify and communicate opportunities for reorders, new orders, and special orders.
Identify account opportunities to improve product assortment.
Identify and clearly communicate competitive trends.
Build strong relationships with buyers and foster collaboration and partnership.
Use Cole Haan and retailer sales automation systems and tools to analyze, manage, and plan the business and prepare business reports.