Key Account Manager

Mr Price Group; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A retail wholesale firm in South Africa is seeking an experienced Key Account Manager to oversee international brand relationships. The ideal candidate has 4-6 years in account management within the retail or wholesale sector, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for kitchen and homeware products. This role involves product curation, metrics tracking, and cross-team collaboration, offering a dynamic work environment with potential travel.

Qualifications

• 4-6 years of experience in an Account Managing or Buying role in retail/wholesale.
• Understanding of Account Managing/Buying processes.
• Experience in kitchen/homeware distribution is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate contracts and close agreements with brands.
• Curate product ranges for pricing and market needs.
• Present new products and collaborate with internal teams.
• Forecast and track key account metrics.
• Prepare reports on account status.
• Occasional travel required.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical ability

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Matric or equivalent

Relevant Tertiary qualification

Tools

Excel

Job description

Who we are

Edison Stone is the wholesale subsidiary of the Yuppiechef group, based in Cape Town. We distribute top international and industry‐leading kitchen and homeware brands and products. We are a close, relationship‑based team that shares a passion for cooking and everything in the kitchen. Although we unite over how we work together, each of us brings something different to the team and we celebrate our diversity.

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for a Key Account Manager to join our tight‑knit and high‑performing team. The ideal candidate has a love for kitchen and homeware products and the latest homeware trends. You enjoy working with numerous international suppliers and brands and selecting product ranges and wholesale product offerings that are suitable for our market and customers. You’re able to negotiate pricing and promotional opportunities and to report back on performance and stock management. You are a strategic thinker and someone who is eager to learn, a self‑starter, problem solver, able to manage priorities and who’s comfortable to work under pressure. We work in a dynamic retail environment and new challenges come our way every day, so you will be able to take on new tasks and challenges with a positive, strategic and goal‑focused attitude.

What your role looks like

Reporting to the Wholesale Merchandise Manager, you’ll be operating as the lead point of contact to oversee a portfolio of assigned brands to maintain‑create long‑term, trusting relationships with international brands. In this role, you will:

• Negotiate contracts and close agreements with new and existing brands and liaise with brands to assist with challenging customer requests, including price negotiations and promotional activities and activations.
• Curate product ranges that align with pricing, margin targets and market needs.
• Present new products to customers and sales teams. You will also liaise and collaborate with cross‑functional internal teams (including Planning, Buying, Sales and Marketing) to develop new business from existing customers and actively seek and execute on new opportunities within our market.
• Work closely with the Planning team to forecast and track key account metrics (e.g. monthly/quarterly/annual sales forecasts and results).
• Prepare and communicate monthly and quarterly reports on account status, including opportunities/challenges to internal and external stakeholders.
• Be required to travel occasionally

Who you’ll be working with Internally

You will be part of the Merchandise team and collaborate closely with the Planning, Sales and Marketing teams and externally, you will be interacting with international brand partners and wholesale customers.

Who you are

You are a capable, motivated and hard‑working individual. Besides having the necessary talent and experience for the role, we’re looking for someone who is a team player, willing to assist where needed to help get the job done.

You are able to work independently as well as create and maintain collaborative working relationships across multiple teams and role players. You can multitask and track details with a clear focus on priorities. You are excited to work in a fast‑paced, sometimes unstructured environment, confident to pave the way ahead and make decisions without needing supervision. You are dedicated to service and want to see all our brands perform at their full potential.

People would also describe you as

Accurate

• Efficient
• Organised
• Good at follow‑through
• Logical

What experience and skills do you need for the role

Experience: Necessary:

At least 4‑6 years of experience in an Account Managing or Buying role within a retail or wholesale business.

A clear understanding of Account Managing/Buying processes.

Advantageous: Work experience in the kitchen and homeware distribution

Qualifications: Necessary:

Matric or equivalent.

Advantageous: Relevant Tertiary qualification;

Experience in international brands and wholesale/distribution account managing/buying; Skills: Technical skills:

Technical skills

• Great analytical ability with comfort in finding patterns and information in data
• Strong computer skills with familiarity working with data and data structures
• Excel proficient.

Personal skills

• Excellent verbal and written skills (English). You should feel comfortable communicating with international suppliers and internal and external stakeholders.
• An ability to manage your own time and deliverables
• Dedication to follow through and excellence
• Excellent time management skills and a strong level of self‑management