Field Account Manager, Pacific Northwest, Independent Sales Team

Simon & Schuster, Inc.; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Simon & Schuster seeks a Field Account Manager for the Independent Bookstore Team in the Seattle area to drive sales across children’s, adult, audio, and distributed titles with 35+ independent bookstores in the Pacific Northwest. The role is the primary contact for accounts, requiring strong relationship-building and market insight.

You will partner with sales and publishing teams to maximize frontlist/backlist opportunities, attend regional events, and provide timely account support.

Qualifications

• 5+ years sales experience in publishing or similar industry.
• Based in Seattle area preferred within Pacific Northwest.
• Strong understanding of the publishing industry and distribution channels.
• Proven ability to persuade and negotiate with buyers.
• Ability to assess market data and sales metrics for growth opportunities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication for presenting books.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-person seasonal sales calls and regular store visits to connect with buyers and staff.
• Attend regional trade shows and in-store events to promote titles.
• Collaborate with Marketing to plan tours and promotional opportunities.
• Work with accounts to maximize in-store and online placements.
• Maximize backlist exposure through inventory reviews and regional opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with independent bookstores and support their orders and inquiries.

Skills

Sales experience

Relationship building

Negotiation

Market analysis

Tools

Edelweiss

Job description

Field Account Manager, Pacific Northwest, Independent Sales Team

Job Posting

Do you love books? Are you passionate about sales, connecting readers with stories, building strong business relationships? Are independent bookstores your home away from home? If so, this might be the perfect job for you!

Simon & Schuster is looking for a Field Account Manager on the Independent Bookstore Team based in the Seattle area to sell our complete list—Wholly-Owned Children’s, Adult, Audio, and Distributed Client titles—to an account base of 35+ independent bookstores in the Pacific Northwest region.

The position is your accounts’ primary point of contact with Simon & Schuster. You will establish strong relationships with your accounts, provide open and timely communication, and use all your knowledge of your customers and our titles to maximize frontlist and backlist sales. You’ll collaborate closely with sales and publishing colleagues and maintain ongoing communication between them and your accounts regarding popular titles, backlist opportunities, and market trends

Simon & Schuster, Inc. is a global publishing company with prominent imprints, celebrated for publishing award-winning books for children and adults in multiple formats and categories.

Responsibilities include:

• In-person seasonal sales calls, as well as frequent, regular in-person visits to stores to connect with buyers, events managers, and frontline booksellers.
• Attend Regional Trade Shows and participate in in-person Rep Nights at bookstores.
• Collaborate with marketing and publicity to help determine tour stops and promotional opportunities.

• Work with accounts to maximize promotional placement in-store and online.
• Maximize backlist exposure through inventory reviews as well as seasonal, thematic, and regional opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with accounts.
• Support entry of non-electronically submitted orders (including seasonal, backlist, event, B2B).
• Handle account inquiries (including publicity contacts, stock checks, events orders, and tracking) and provide support to ensure customer satisfaction.

• Actively participate in seasonal sales conferences and weekly team calls, as well as share feedback to sales management and publishers about activities and opportunities in the territory.
• Provide in-person author care, including attending events, providing support for drop-by signings, attending pre-publication dinners and Simon & Schuster Selects events.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years sales experience in a mid-size or large publishing company, or equivalent experience
• Based in the Seattle area is preferred but other areas within the pacific northwest will be considered as well
• Strong understanding of the publishing industry, including market trends, key players, and distribution channels
• Strong ability to persuade and negotiate, with a focus on building relationships with accounts
• Capability to assess market data and sales metrics to identify opportunities for growth
• Efficiency in prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines and handle multiple accounts
• Excellent verbal and written communication for presenting books and effectively conveying information.
• Independent bookstore experience a plus
• Edelweiss savvy
• Avid, passionate reader
• Flexible, self-starter, attention to detail