Account Executive/Sales Director - Retail & CPG

Cognizant; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 190,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off

401(k) plan and contributions

Long-term/Short-term Disability

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking an Account Executive/Sales Director – Retail & CPG to drive strategic growth across the Retail and Consumer Goods sector. You will lead new logo acquisitions and account expansion, building executive relationships and guiding end-to-end sales cycles across Cognizant’s services.

You will develop territory plans, collaborate with delivery and marketing teams, and maintain a robust pipeline to meet annual bookings, quota, and growth targets.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in sales with global consulting, technology services, or outsourcing organisations, including at least 5 years selling into Retail and Consumer Goods.
• Proven experience exceeding annual sales quotas of $4M+ and closing multi-service deals from $5M to $50M+.
• Strong hunting background with new logos and cross-sell/up-sell opportunities.
• Executive presence to engage senior decision-makers and lead multiple pursuits.

Responsibilities

• Drive hunting and new logo acquisition across Retail & Consumer Goods accounts, developing strategies for new business and revenue growth.
• Lead end-to-end sales pursuits: opportunity identification, solution development, proposals, negotiations, and closure.
• Act as primary account lead, building trusted advisor relationships with C-level executives and showcasing Cognizant’s full services portfolio.
• Create territory/account plans to maximize market coverage and scale accounts with cross-sell opportunities.
• Collaborate with client partners, practice leaders, solution/delivery teams, and offshore marketing to maintain pipeline and CRM hygiene.
• Demonstrate Cognizant Way to Lead through strategic vision, client value creation, and collaboration.

Skills

New logo acquisition

Enterprise sales

Account planning

Pipeline development

Negotiation

Executive networking

Relationship management

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA

Tools

CRM

Job description

As an Account Executive/Sales Director – Retail & CPG, you will make an impact by driving strategic growth across the Retail and Consumer Goods industry vertical, selling the full suite of Cognizant’s services and solutions and delivering transformative business outcomes through new logo acquisition and account expansion. You will be a valued member of the Retail and Consumer Goods sales team and work collaboratively with client partners, delivery teams, and offshore marketing teams, and clients.

In this role, you will

• Drive aggressive hunting and new logo acquisition across strategic Retail and Consumer Goods accounts, developing and executing account acquisition and expansion strategies that generate net-new business and accelerate revenue growth.
• Lead end-to-end sales pursuits, including opportunity identification, qualification, solution development, proposal creation, negotiations, and closure, while building a strong pipeline through proactive prospecting and executive networking.
• Act as the primary account lead, establishing trusted advisor relationships with C-level executives and positioning Cognizant’s full portfolio of services including Application Development & Maintenance, Engineering & Testing Services, Infrastructure Services, Business Process Outsourcing, Information Technology Outsourcing, and Consulting Services.
• Create and execute territory and account plans that maximise market coverage, identifying cross-sell and up-sell opportunities to scale accounts at pace and achieve annual bookings, pipeline, and quota targets.
• Collaborate with client partners, practice leaders, solution and delivery teams, and offshore marketing and sales support to develop differentiated value propositions, execute account-based campaigns, and maintain accurate pipeline, forecasting, and CRM hygiene.
• Consistently demonstrate the Cognizant Way to Lead through strategic agility, client value creation, AI-led innovation, disciplined execution, collaborative ecosystem building and amplifying human potential through a culture of growth, inclusion and effective human-AI collaboration.

Work model

At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role's business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in the United States. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you're engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

What you must have to be considered

• 15+ years of experience with a global consulting, technology services, or outsourcing organisation in onshore/offshore sales environments, including at least 5 years selling consulting, digital transformation, technology, or outsourcing services into Retail and Consumer Goods organisations.
• Proven experience carrying and exceeding annual sales quotas of $4M+ within enterprise sales environments, with success closing complex, multi-service deals ranging from $5M to $50M+ and a consistent record of consecutive quarterly and annual quota attainment.
• Strong hunting background with demonstrated success acquiring new logos and building business from greenfield accounts, selling Application Development & Maintenance, Engineering & Testing Services, Infrastructure Services, Business Process Outsourcing, Information Technology Outsourcing, and Consulting Services.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to engage and influence senior business and technology decision-makers, managing multiple strategic pursuits simultaneously while driving predictable revenue outcomes.
• Strong account planning, territory management, pipeline development, and sales execution capabilities, with excellent negotiation, communication, presentation, and relationship management skills, and a Bachelor's degree.
• Demonstrated ability to lead with strategic vision, client-centric thinking, innovation, disciplined execution, collaboration and a commitment to developing people in line with the Cognizant Way to Lead.
• Proven track record of building trust, demonstrating ownership, exercising sound judgment and fostering an inclusive culture that supports growth and associate success.

These will help you succeed

• MBA, Master's degree, or other advanced degree.
• Proven ability to contribute to new business development initiatives and lead multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills with the ability to develop strategic solutions for enterprise-wide business challenges.
• Ability to work effectively across diverse corporate environments, industries, and technical and non-technical stakeholder groups.
• Experience thriving in complex, fast-evolving environments by translating strategy into action, fostering cross-functional collaboration and championing continuous learning and curiosity.

Salary and Other Compensation

Applications will be accepted until October 15, 2026.

• The annual salary for this position is between $190,000 - $210,000 depending on the experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
• This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program and stock awards, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan