Key Account Manager- REMOTE

About Designer Brands At Designer Brands, we are the proud parent company of DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Company, and Rubino, operating nearly 675 stores across North America and a billion-dollar digital commerce business. We lead the footwear industry with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands, including Topo Athletic, Keds, Vince Camuto, Kelly & Katie, Jessica Simpson, Lucky Brand, Mix No. 6, Crown Vintage, and others. With expertise in design, production, and sourcing, we create on-trend footwear and accessories, delivered through a robust omni-channel infrastructure and national wholesale distribution. At Designer Brands, we are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, where each employee’s unique perspective contributes to our success. Anchored by our core values of “We Love What We Do,” “We Own What We Do,” “We Do What’s Right,” and “We Belong,” we continuously drive forward together, building a future where everyone can put their best foot forward. The Opportunity Step into a role where your expertise shapes the future Keds brand. As a Key Account Manager, you’ll be the driving force behind growing and nurturing our North American wholesale partnerships. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about building relationships, curating assortments that excite customers, and ensuring every decision reflects the pulse of the marketplace. If you thrive on strategy, collaboration, and making an impact, this is your chance to lead. What You’ll Be Doing You’ll own the success of key wholesale accounts, blending creativity with analytics to deliver results. Here’s how you’ll make it happen: Account Management & Growth

• Build and strengthen relationships with new and existing customers.
• Identify opportunities to expand Keds’ presence across wholesale channels.

Sales Strategy & Forecasting

• Develop detailed forecasts and reports to anticipate customer needs and shape business plans.
• Monitor account performance, including sales and shipping, to stay ahead of trends.

Negotiation & Order Management

• Negotiate internally and externally to achieve sales and profit goals.
• Oversee order tracking and sample shipping to ensure seamless execution.

Product & Assortment Planning

• Collaborate with product teams and fellow sales managers to create tailored assortments for each account.
• Share competitive insights from store visits and market research to inform strategy.

Operational Excellence

• Partner with planning and customer service teams to optimize shipping and profitability.
• Manage account P&Ls and markdown projections, offering creative solutions for inventory challenges.

Brand Representation

• Prepare and present at shoe shows and regional events, showcasing Keds in the best light.
• Brief internal teams on product and marketing needs to drive wholesale growth.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with product, marketing, planning, and customer service to turn insights into action.

What You’ll Need Bring your passion for the footwear industry and your ability to turn data into strategy. Here’s what sets you up for success: Skills

• Self-starter with the ability to work independently.
• Strong retail math skills—use metrics and trends to build winning strategies.
• Excellent relationship-building skills within the footwear industry.
• Team player with strong communication and flexibility.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Professional, customer-focused demeanor.
• Skilled presenter with proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel).

Qualifications

• Experience: 4+ years in footwear wholesale sales.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in footwear/accessory sales.
• Preferred: Experience managing mid- to large-volume accounts, ideally in the Family Channel.

Perks and Benefits You’ll Enjoy!  

• Your Sole Well-Being:Our benefits package is crafted with our associates in mind! We support you with benefits like free virtual health care, robust family/fertility benefits, 401(k) w/ match, and more. Explore our offerings at https://mymobilewalletcard.com/dbi.
• Stride with Flexibility:We offer hybrid and remote work opportunities, giving you the freedom to stay connected, productive, and inspired—wherever you do your best work.
• Stepping Up Your Career:Take advantage of training programs, professional development, and education assistance to advance your career with a company that celebrates bold ideas and fresh perspectives.
• We are Shoe-Obsessed:Because we know a great pair of shoes can change your day, you’ll enjoy 30% off at DSW & DSW.com, plus discounts across our family of brands.