Design-Driven Trade Account Executive

Ernesta Inc.; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Ernesta is seeking an experienced Retail Trade Account Executive to join our Retail team in Santa Monica. You will build and grow Ernesta’s trade business by nurturing relationships with interior designers, architects, and other trade partners, and manage a portfolio of accounts.

This entrepreneurial sales role involves proactive outreach, in-person showroom and trade events, and delivering expert product knowledge across materials, sizing, and custom services to drive revenue and repeat

Qualifications

• 1–2+ years of relevant experience in interior design, home furnishings, architecture and design sales, trade sales, account management, or related design-focused industry.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong professional relationships and develop trust with clients or accounts over time.
• Entrepreneurial and self-motivated, with the drive to proactively create new business opportunities and grow a book of business.

Responsibilities

• Build and grow Ernesta’s local trade business by developing meaningful, long-term relationships with interior designers, architects, and other trade partners.
• Own a portfolio of trade accounts and proactively develop those relationships to drive repeat projects, retention, and revenue growth.
• Identify, prospect, and acquire new trade accounts within the local design community through targeted outreach, referrals, networking, and community engagement.
• Activate new trade accounts by understanding their business, introducing them to Ernesta’s products and services, and identifying opportunities to support active and future projects.
• Spend approximately 20–30% of your month externally meeting with the trade community through designer and firm office visits, Lunch & Learns, industry events, networking opportunities, and other relationship-building activities.

Skills

Relationship building

Account management

Sales

Prospecting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in design/business

Tools

CRM systems

Salesforce

Job description

Ernesta is seeking an experienced Retail Trade Account Executive to join our Retail team in Santa Monica. You will build and grow Ernesta’s trade business by nurturing relationships with interior designers, architects, and other trade partners, and manage a portfolio of accounts.

This entrepreneurial sales role involves proactive outreach, in-person showroom and trade events, and delivering expert product knowledge across materials, sizing, and custom services to drive revenue and repeat