Associate Account Executive

Fourstar Group; Clearwater (FL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Fourstar Group in Clearwater, FL is seeking an Associate Account Executive (AAE) to support our Account Executive in managing retail partnerships and executing merchandising strategies across a diverse product portfolio. This role offers growth within the sales and merchandising organization, with travel to Asia and domestic meetings.

The position covers client and category support, market engagement, product development, and sales presentations.

Qualifications

• Experience in merchandising, retail buying, product development, or visual merchandising.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail and trend awareness.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and eagerness to learn and grow.
• Experience in categories such as Hardlines, Softlines, Home, Housewares, Seasonal, Toys, Furniture, or Health & Beauty is a plus.
• Reports to the Account Executive.
• On-site role based in Clearwater, FL (temporary hybrid schedules may apply).
• National and international travel required (including 3 annual trips to Asia, approx. 3 weeks each).
• Growth opportunities within the sales and merchandising organization.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing retail accounts, developing category strategies, and executing annual business plans.
• Build relationships with Buyers, Assistant Buyers, and internal retail teams. Conduct competitive shops and trend analysis to inform product development.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Product Development, Art, Logistics) to develop assortments, manage timelines, and ensure product specs and packaging meet retailer requirements.
• Prepare and participate in client presentations, compiling data, samples, and proposals. Assist in ideation and line reviews with Buyers and DMMs.
• Track purchase orders, packaging approvals, testing reports, and shipments. Ensure timely communication across domestic and international teams.
• Compile and analyze sell-through data, consumer insights, and market trends to support strategic decisions.
• Participate in international buying trips (including travel to Asia) and domestic client meetings. Provide follow-up and reporting post-travel.
• Supervise Merchandising Administrative Assistants and contribute to a collaborative, high-performance team culture.

Skills

merchandising

retail buying

product development

visual merchandising

analytical mindset

organizational skills

communication skills

multi-project management

entrepreneurial spirit

travel readiness

Job description

Job Purpose:

We’re looking for a driven Associate Account Executive (AAE) to support our Account Executive in managing retail partnerships and executing merchandising strategies across a diverse portfolio of product categories. This is a growth-oriented role ideal for someone with experience in retail buying, product development, visual merchandising, or global sourcing. You’ll collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams and external retail partners to bring innovative product assortments to market.

Key Responsibilities:

• Client & Category Support: Assist in managing retail accounts, developing category strategies, and executing annual business plans.
• Retail & Market Engagement: Build relationships with Buyers, Assistant Buyers, and internal retail teams. Conduct competitive shops and trend analysis to inform product development.
• Product Development & Merchandising: Collaborate with internal teams (Product Development, Art, Logistics) to develop assortments, manage timelines, and ensure product specs and packaging meet retailer requirements.
• Sales & Presentation Support: Prepare and participate in client presentations, compiling data, samples, and proposals. Assist in ideation and line reviews with Buyers and DMMs.
• Operational Execution: Track purchase orders, packaging approvals, testing reports, and shipments. Ensure timely communication across domestic and international teams.
• Reporting & Analysis: Compile and analyze sell-through data, consumer insights, and market trends to support strategic decisions.
• Travel & Collaboration: Participate in international buying trips (including travel to Asia) and domestic client meetings. Provide follow-up and reporting post-travel.
• Team Leadership: Supervise Merchandising Administrative Assistants and contribute to a collaborative, high-performance team culture.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Experience in merchandising, retail buying, product development, or visual merchandising
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail and trend awareness
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Entrepreneurial spirit and eagerness to learn and grow
• Experience in categories such as Hardlines, Softlines, Home, Housewares, Seasonal, Toys, Furniture, or Health & Beauty is a plus
• Reports to the Account Executive
• On-site role based in Clearwater, FL (temporary hybrid schedules may apply)
• National and international travel required (including 3 annual trips to Asia, approx. 3 weeks each)
• Growth opportunities within the sales and merchandising organization