Director of Retail

The Ames Companies•Orlando, FL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The AMES Companies, headquartered in Lake Nona-Orlando, FL has a rich American history. The AMES story goes back to 1774, when Captain John Ames began making America's first shovels. AMES® brand is the third oldest consumer brand in the country, and its tools helped build America for more than two hundred years. You can learn more about our history here. Our business lines include Home Organization, Lawn and Garden Tools, Outdoor Living, and Cleaning Tools. Our leading global brands are sold to homeowners and professionals involved in new construction, remodeling, and maintenance activities. To learn more about out business lines, visit our website: https://www.homebyames.com/en-us/. The Director of Retail is a senior leadership role responsible for driving profitable growth through strategic partnerships with key national retail accounts. This role will lead account strategy, execution, and cross-functional collaboration to expand market share, optimize assortment, and strengthen long-term retailer relationships. Our office is located at our headquarters in Lake Nona - Orlando, FL.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of progressive sales or account leadership experience within consumer products or durable goods.
Proven experience managing complex national retail accounts; experience with Costco, Walmart, and/or Menards is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated success driving sales growth within Lawn & Garden, Outdoor Living, and/or Storage Solutions categories preferred.
Strong commercial acumen with experience in pricing strategy, margin management, and promotional effectiveness.
Ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams in a matrixed organization.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and executive presentation skills.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage strategic relationships with major national retailers, with a strong focus on Costco & Walmart.
Develop and execute long-term account strategies that drive sales growth, profitability, and brand presence.
Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Product Management, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations to deliver cohesive go-to-market plans.
Identify growth opportunities through assortment optimization, new product introductions, promotional planning, and merchandising execution.
Own sales forecasting, demand planning inputs, and budget management for assigned accounts.
Negotiate annual line reviews, pricing, promotional programs, and joint business plans.
Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and consumer insights to inform strategy and decision-making.
Lead, mentor, and develop account management talent, fostering a high-performance, results-driven culture.