National Account Manager - Pet Specialty

About Health & Happiness and Brand Overview

Health & Happiness (H&H) envisions premium nutrition and lifelong wellness, bringing together seven global brands operating in over 15 countries, supported by more than 3,400 employees worldwide. Specifically, Zesty Paws® offers premium pet products designed to strengthen the bond between pets and their owners through quality, passion, transparency, and innovation. Solid Gold, founded in 1974, believes in holistic pet health through proper nutrition, focusing on gut health to boost overall wellness and immunity. Their products are featured in specialty pet stores across the US and Canada.

Role Summary

The National Account Manager (NAM) will be responsible for advancing performance targets and driving sales growth for Solid Gold and Zesty Paws across key accounts, including pet specialty retailers and natural grocery channels. This role acts as a liaison internally and externally to promote retail success and brand presence.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and enhance customer relations through regular interaction with management and buyers.
• Design promotional strategies with goals around return on investment, brand conversion, and sales lift.
• Oversee comprehensive P&L management involving budgeting, forecasting, and adjusting plans in collaboration with leadership to meet annual targets.
• Manage product assortment decisions, analyze trends, and drive innovation to secure additional retail space.
• Develop a three-year strategic plan including new product development, pricing, assortment goals, and expansion strategies.
• Engage with major retail customers to set distribution, financial, and merchandising goals.
• Create long-term strategies to grow distribution channels in suitable accounts.
• Conduct quarterly performance reviews with customers discussing outcomes, marketing initiatives, and execution plans.
• Provide training and motivation to customers regarding company brands.
• Utilize internal data and marketing tools to influence customer decisions and enhance consumer focus.
• Collaborate with Field Activation teams to coordinate in-store and out-of-store activities with national account follow-up.
• Participate in trade events like national meetings, trade shows, and local events.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable policies, regulations, and laws.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years proven experience in pet specialty sales, preferably with major accounts like PetCo and/or PetSmart.
• Experience managing chain accounts effectively.
• Strong critical thinking, negotiation, and strategic selling abilities, with attention to both broad and detailed project aspects.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and management skills including business plan creation, market analysis, and sales prioritization.
• Highly energetic, creative, decisive, with a strong work ethic and ability to perform under pressure.

Additional Information

This role requires approximately 25% travel. H&H is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a work environment where employees can bring their authentic selves and ensuring a fair recruitment process.