National Sales Manager

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 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 Summary

The National Sales Manager meets or exceeds budgeted sales and profit goals for an assigned business channel, such as Independent or Specialty, by driving sales growth and market penetration. The role manages independent sales agencies for consistent growth, develops new accounts, optimizes sales and distribution strategies, and leads showroom and trade show execution. It works primarily within one channel but supports any CCOI brand where the business needs it.

Responsibilities

Agency Management

• Build close relationships with agency principals and reps to drive sales and profit.
• Serve as the primary contact for assigned agencies and accounts, using NSpire/MarketTime, Tableau, and internal reporting tools.
• Provide daily support to reps, principals, and agencies with timely responses, insights, and strategic guidance.
• Hold monthly priority meetings with each agency to set focus brands, tier account focus, and action items.
• Develop territory and rep-level growth plans with agency owners, and strategic growth plans for high-potential accounts with reps.
• Launch and track agency growth initiatives, such as new-account pushes, product launches, and seasonal programs.
• Set annual sales goals with each agency, broken into quarterly targets for sales, new accounts, reorders, and retention, and review progress each quarter.
• Conduct quarterly territory reviews with agency owners and sales leadership to assess performance and refine sales strategies.
• Share sales data, KPIs, and best practices across agencies so top performers lift the group.
• Hold quarterly performance reviews with the Vice President of Sales and fellow managers to assess rep effectiveness, market trends, and customer engagement.
• Lead territory realignment discussions to maximize coverage.
• Negotiate with customers and agencies within company guidelines.

Field & Agency Development

• Grow new-account acquisitions using targeted data, including buying groups.
• Partner with the Senior Account Executive to secure new accounts and expand distribution across independent and key/mass channels.
• Maintain a continuous pipeline of new-account and retention opportunities.
• Run an account retention strategy with quarterly agency goals to re-engage and win back lapsed accounts.
• Set door-count and new-account targets by agency and territory.
• Train reps on brand stories, assortments, and selling points so each brand earns a place in every appointment.
• Lead launch plans for new collections and market introductions.
• Report brand KPIs monthly and recommend where the large-brand managers can cross-sell.

Buying Groups

• Lead engagement with key buying groups, such as Ace Hardware, True Value, Do It Best, and The Boutique Hub.
• Build store-level strategies, marketing materials, and exclusive promotions for buying group members.
• Grow buying group sales through customized programs and targeted initiatives.
• Organize special events, such as Atlanta Market activations, to boost visibility and sales.

Rep Training & Coaching

• Maintain a best practice guide for reps, including the Sales Training Manual and New Hire Onboarding program, and use it to train new reps and agencies.
• Run a structured ride-along coaching program each month, with priority on new and struggling reps, to reinforce best sales practices.
• Hold biannual training on product, brands, industry trends, and selling skills.

Shows & Showrooms

• Build and run a structured trade show plan covering staffing, scheduling, appointments, and post-show follow-up that converts show activity into orders.
• Direct showroom activity to maximize order flow, rep engagement, and customer interaction.

Planning & Reporting

• Interact daily or weekly with the Vice President of Sales.
• Lead, coach, and hold sales teams accountable for delivering against annual channel budgets, revenue targets, and sales forecasts.
• Report monthly KPIs and use sales data to guide strategy.
• Work closely with other departments and managers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field.

Experience

• 5–7 years' experience in sales, preferably in home décor or gifts, with a proven record of sales leadership, agency or account management, and business development.

Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication with customers, reps, and internal teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, CRM, and sales reporting tools such as NSpire and Tableau.
• Strong organization and time management, with the ability to plan, prioritize, and deliver under deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Strategic problem solver who uses data to drive growth.
• Proactive leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, with strong sales acumen and a commitment to growth through strategic planning, relationship management, and data-driven decisions.
• Ability to travel domestically on a frequent basis for customer appointments, rep ride-alongs, trade shows, and showrooms, and internationally on occasion if required.
• Availability for some evening and weekend work during show schedules.

Originally posted on Himalayas