Director, National Accounts

Creative Co-Op, Inc. (www.creativecoop.com) is a leading importer and distributor of gift and home decorative accessories. We work with over 15,000 boutique specialty stores in North America, Fortune 500 national retailers, and major eCommerce partners. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the company has hundreds of employees globally with offices and showrooms in Portland, Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas, and China.

Creative Co-Op is the cornerstone division of Regent Holding Company, whose global brands also include Illume (www.illumecandles.com) based in Minneapolis, MN, and Bloomingville (www.bloomingville.com) based in Ikast, Denmark. Regent’s growth is backed by Freeman Spogli & Co. (www.freemanspogli.com), a leading private equity firm dedicated to investing in the consumer and distribution sectors.

We are looking for dedicated, high-energy, creative individuals who want to join an industry leader undergoing rapid growth and expansion. We look for people who embody an entrepreneurial spirit and are drawn to our Core Values:

· Think First – We validate gut instincts with facts.

· Act The Right Way – Our integrity has been built over decades and can be lost in seconds.

· Care About More Than Yourself – We are passionate. We show that passion through a fierce commitment to our customers and colleagues.

· Embrace Evolution – We are hungry for improvement and never satisfied with the status quo.

Job Definition:

The Director of National Accounts will be responsible for leading and expanding sales with key national retailers and strategic partners across the furniture, home décor, and gift categories. This role is responsible for overseeing a team of Sales Directors and Key Account Associates, driving revenue growth, and building long-term partnerships with top national retailers. The Director will serve as the primary point of contact for key accounts leveraging a deep understanding of the retail landscape, merchandising strategies, and account management best practices while providing leadership, strategic direction, and accountability for sales performance, forecasting, and profitability.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a high-performing sales team, including Sales Directors and Key Account Associates, through coaching, goal-setting, and performance management.
• Build and expand partnerships with assigned national retailers to drive revenue growth and strengthen market position.
• Prepare and manage the annual sales budget, providing accurate monthly forecasts and reporting on progress against plan.
• Develop account-specific business plans, negotiating terms, promotional programs, and pricing to maximize both top-line sales and profitability.
• Analyze account performance and industry trends to identify opportunities and adjust strategies
• Partner cross-functionally with Merchandise Planning, Operations, and Finance to ensure smooth execution of customer programs and alignment with company goals.
• Lead seasonal line reviews, product presentations, and business reviews with key national accounts.
• Represent the company at trade shows, customer meetings, and industry events.
• Foster collaboration between accounts and internal teams to ensure best-in-class customer support.
• Frequent travel for customer appointments and trade shows.
• Respect and maintain brand integrity with its core customer base.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Essential skills and experience required:

Education: BS degree in business or related field

Experience: 10+ years of progressive sales experience, with at least 5 years managing national accounts in the furniture, home décor, or gift industry

Skills/Abilities:

• Experience leading and developing sales teams; proven ability to inspire, coach, and hold team members accountable.
• Strong financial acumen with demonstrated ability to prepare budgets, manage forecasts, and interpret sales and margin performance.
• Deep understanding of national retail buying cycles, merchandising strategies, and account management practices.
• Exceptional negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance customer needs with company objectives.
• Analytical and detail-oriented, able to turn data into actionable insights.
• Entrepreneurial drive with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Willingness to travel regularly for customer meetings, markets, and trade shows. Anticipated travel schedule of 30 - 50%.
• Strong communication skills with people both verbal and written.
• Computer proficiency especially in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Ability to execute plans under time restraints.
• Ability to work independently under minimal supervision.