Special Sales Director managing all aspects of specialty sales including retail, retail direct, wholesale, educational wholesale, literacy and premium channels.

Managed a portfolio of national specialty enterprise retail accounts and their e-commerce components, offering premium key account management, customer service and consultative sales methodology.  Opened and onboarded new business accounts and maintained and grew sales with daily active accounts. Created and presented seasonal sales presentations and business reviews to accounts in-person and virtually. Stayed on top of and researched retail and industry trends. Used Salesforce to manage pipeline and forecast sales with Supply Chain. Worked with P&Ls, budgets and business acumen for custom projects and product. Managed a Sales Assistant for the department and hired and managed seasonal interns for two seasons each year.

Manage and sell to key national retail chains. Sought and opened new business and grew existing national accounts. Current national retail accounts include Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Gap, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, West Elm, Crate & Barrel, Kohl's, Nordstrom, Saks 5th Avenue, Spencer Gifts, Schurman Retail Group, TJX, QVC, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc. Vetted vendor and routing guidelines and liaised with Operations to negotiate terms and contracts. Onboarded new accounts to ensure smooth workflow without any chargeback potential. Led monthly meetings with Warehouse contacts to make sure deadlines and timelines were being met and to address any operational issues.

Promoted from Assistant to Associate within one year of service.  Assist sales Managers with sell-in to their accounts with any sales and meeting support needed.  Attend all annual trade shows and represent Simon & Schuster product line. Send samples, process orders and follow up as direct customer service to accounts as needed.

Interned Summer 2005 and promoted to Associate for 2005-2006 senior year of college.  Worked on procurement, sell-in and follow up for annual sampling collegiate campaign, "Campus Trial Pack" and Clairol's "Color Wars".  Cold called to procure new product with General Mills for following year's Trial Pack.