National Account Manager, Alt Channels

MGA Entertainment; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MGA Entertainment is seeking a seasoned Sales Manager in Minneapolis to lead account development, forecasting and profitability for a diverse toy and entertainment portfolio.

The role requires building strong retailer partnerships, driving margin and promotional activities, and guiding cross-functional teams to execute strategic plans in a dynamic market.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business/marketing required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated top-tier sales leadership and retailer relationship building.
• Strong financial acumen: margin, forecasting and budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Create rapport with retailer buying teams and executives to drive growth.
• Lead forecasting, line reviews and promotional planning with cross-functional partners.
• Analyze POS data and competitive trends to inform business plans.
• Provide weekly updates to SVP Sales and participate in national sales meetings.
• Travel as needed to support retailers and customers.

Skills

Financial acumen

Strategic planning

Sales leadership

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or Marketing

Master’s Degree preferred

Tools

VDP & EDQ/ Retail Link

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PPT)

Job description

MGA Entertainment is one of the world's fastest growing and largest privately held toy and entertainment companies. Headquartered in Chatsworth, Calif. and with offices globally, the company creates innovative, proprietary, and licensed consumer products and entertainment, including toys, games, dolls, apparel, consumer electronics, home décor, stationery, sporting goods, movies, and television series. The MGA family includes award-winning brands such as L.O.L. Surprise!™, Little Tikes® , Rainbow High™ , Shadow High™, Bratz®, MGA’s Miniverse™, Na! Na! Na! Surprise™, Mermaze Mermaidz™ Color Change, Micro Games of America™, Baby Born® Surprise and Zapf Creation® . For more information, please visit us at www.mgae.com or check us out at LinkedIn.

Mission: Maximize sales, profitability and promotional activity within corporate margin expectations.

Key Area and Results

Time Utilization

• 1. Account Management & Development 30%
• 2. Collaborative Forecasting/Planning 30%
• 3. Analysis (POS, Competition, Adjacent Opportunities) 30%
• 4. Communication 10%
• TOTAL TIME UTILIZATION 100%

Position Requirements

Education/Experience:

• 7+ years or more of sales management/sales experience within the toy industry.
• Superior relationships with retailer management, buyers, marketing managers, replenishment & planning personnel.
• A proven track record of building sales and profitability in a competitive business environment.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or Marketing is required. (Master’s Degree preferred).

Skills/Knowledge/Ability:

• Possess elevated financial acumen - Margin/Forecast Planning/ Budget Management.
• Excellent strategic and disciplined planning skills.
• Well-developed sales, people, communication, administration, sales policy, planning and leadership skills.
• Ability to think on your feet and contingency plan.
• Formal knowledge customers’ communicative/administrative/planning tools i.e.: VDP & EDQ/ Retail Link.
• Ability to travel.
• Knowledge of LC (FOB) and Domestic shipping procedures.
• Solid computer skills (Microsoft office – Excel, Word, PPT).

Key Result Areas and Activities

Account Management & Development

Create rapport with the retailer’s entire buying team, including all executives, buyers, planners, and replenishment team.

Work with buying teams to understand their needs, performance metrics, time tables, etc.

Respond or acknowledge all customer requests in timely manner.

Be the expert on the products, categories, and competition in and outside your areas of responsibilities.

Manage day to day service issuesbetween MGA marketing, product, customer marketing, and retailer buying teams.

Collaborative Forecasting/Planning

Establish and present timelines for line reviews, item conformation time lines, "set" and other relevant dates.

A bottom-up (item level) forecasts must be built in adherence to Global Forecast time line.

Collaborative base-line and promotional forecast must be executed with all buyers.

Seasonal Business Plans for each buyer (per category/brand) will be created. Elements of this plan will consist of the following: SAP Plan, confirmed promotional activities (ads, end caps, shelf space, other feature space, catalog, POP Signage etc.).

Review Business Plans (SAP/Promotional Plan/Forecasts) with each buyer on a monthly basis. Adjust and communicate all adjustments to SVP Sales/Marketing/and MGA Supply Chain.

Analysis (POS, Competition, Opportunities)

Must analyze POS data on a weekly basis. Look for trends, planned promotional lifts and outcomes, competitive challenges, etc. - and incorporate details with each buyer in the same Monthly Business Plan meeting.

Be in front of “Early Reads” - anticipating challenges to first of season POS.

Communication/Meetings

Provide weekly updates by Buyer - State of business/New initiatives, placement/promotional updates etc. - Recipients: SVP Sales.

Follow through recaps of buyer meetings (in season and placement feedback/conformation).

Must shop top four toy retailer stores every two weeks.

Will participate in all National Sales and Show meetings/events.

Post Line Show Meeting: Provide detailed responses to product offerings to SVP Sales/Marketing/President.

Other duties as assigned