Key Account Manager - Retail and Hardware Channels

ECHO Incorporated is an industry leader in developing and manufacturing high-performance, professional-grade, handheld outdoor power equipment. With distributors and thousands of dealers across North and South America, ECHO is constantly anticipating the future of the outdoor power equipment industry and the need for environmental sustainability. Working for ECHO means joining a team of people who are committed to collaboration, innovation, creativity, and high-quality products that make us a globally competitive brand.

ECHO is hiring a Key Account Manager to manage a portfolio of our National and Regional accounts!  The ideal candidate will be able to successfully execute sales strategies and plans to achieve the business goals for sales to large national and regional retail accounts. They will maintain long-term business relationships with customers, seek out and grow new businesses, be self-motivated and disciplined. This position focuses on National and Regional retail outdoor power equipment accounts within the ECHO outdoor power equipment product portfolio.  The Key Accounts is a hybrid role that will be based out of our Lake Zurich, IL location. The salary range for this position is $110,000 -$120,000 based on years of experience and qualifications.

ECHO’s benefits include:

• 11 paid holidays
• Extremely affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off (PTO)
• 5% 401K match
• Tuition reimbursement

Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Recommend annual product line-up and implement promotional & merchandising programs to support overall business plan.
• Co-ordinate the cross-functional, internal ECHO team and provide leadership during forecasting, inventory management, order fulfill and payment discussions.
• Recommend changes as necessary to achieve desired customer business results.
• Lead the sales and service effort at regional accounts including merchandising.
• Create and monitor business and analytic statistics as used by customer that measures performance and company metrics.
• Represent ECHO Internal Departments for any dispute resolution including accounts receivable, logistics and inventory control.
• Develop and maintain strong business relationships with key personnel at all levels from buyer to department leads. Serve as the primary company interface with all related customer departments.
• In conjunction with the product training team, lead the development and implementation of training programs targeting sales.
• Develop regular assessments of competitive handheld products and promotional programs at customer and other regional accounts.
• Track actual spending on a monthly basis and make corrective actions as needed to achieve overall budget target.
• Provide a weekly and monthly written report to the National Accounts Director on the status of all customers including business metrics relative to plan, overall activity level at the account and corrective actions being taken, if necessary, to achieve desired business results.
• Participate in regular sales leadership meetings to ensure alignment and collaboration with all ECHO departments.

Job Experience/Skills: 

• Minimum of 3+ years of sales experience including 3 years direct account responsibility and experience working with retailers at corporate level.
• Experience selling durable goods in the retail channel a plus.
• Self-motivated and able to manage self, time and changing priorities. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with multiple levels of internal and external personnel and leadership.
• Detailed, organized, strong analytical skills with strategic approach to business.
• Understanding and application of strategic planning to identify, target, and execute plans for sales growth The ability to understand and analyze their business, allowing for the identification of value-based business opportunities.
• Intermediate to advanced use of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint).
• Candidate to be local to Chicago area / northwest suburbs with reasonable proximity to Lake Zurich office.

Travel:  Must be able to travel 50%.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business or Marketing preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

We are an equal opportunity employer.  We welcome all applicants.

E-Verification:

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.