Category Leader / Director of Sales Home Textiles North America

Our client is a prominent supplier of high-quality home textiles, home decoration items, clothing accessories, and footwear products. This European family-owned enterprise sources the best quality materials and partners with highly specialized manufacturers in Asia and Eastern Europe to bring its customers superior quality products under multiple brands.

Our client is looking for a dynamic and goal-driven Director of Sales who will lead and manage all sales, marketing, business development, and key account management activities for the Home Textiles product group of the US subsidiary.

Key responsibilities:

• Leverage the strong relationships with key retailers (our Client is one of the largest suppliers) to find acceptance as the vendor-of-choice for the Home Textiles category.
• Execute direct sales and business development efforts for the Home Textiles product and service offerings in the USA.
• Develop and implement strategic and tactical marketing initiatives related to market share and competitive landscapes (global and domestic) for Home Textiles products.
• Oversee client account management to maximum profitability while adhering to the company’s standards of quality and service.
• Promote services to new and prospective customers and develop and/or propose customized offers and solutions that would best suit client needs.
• Oversee the facilitation of agreements and contracts. Partner with internal stakeholders in quote development and contract execution.
• Support the development and execution of product positioning strategies that result in outstanding brand awareness.
• Maintain close cooperation with global counterparts.
• Provide regular reporting of the sales pipeline, forecast, and performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or any related discipline is required.
• Several years of experience in sales, business development, and/or key account management capacity.
• Demonstrated success in building and managing key strategic accounts in the retail, home & living, and/or textiles industries.
• Merchandising experience is an advantage.
• Knowledge in textile import/trading business.
• Substantial background in the private label market.
• Proven experience in developing and maintaining customer relationships, such as with retailers.
• Ability to sell at all levels of management and build and foster business relationships.
• Proven track record of identifying, negotiating/converting, and closing deals.