Key Account Manager

Key Account Manager – Wholesale N America. Hybrid. New York City.  $$Competitive

AKT (pronounced "act") is The Personal Performance Company with multi award-winning body care that may change your life. Founded by West End stars Ed Currie and Andy Coxon, AKT is by and for those who are "Born to Perform" — on the stage, at work, or in life.

In 2020, The Deodorant Balm made its stunning debut to rave reviews and awards from Vogue, GQ, Esquire, and Harper's BAZAAR. Plastic-free, aluminium-free, and gender-free, The Deodorant Balm instantly resonated with those looking for a natural deodorant that genuinely worked. Five fragrances and over 700,000 happy armpits later, The Deodorant Balm is already becoming a household name.

To this day, every new AKT product is put through its paces by London's hard-working theatre community to ensure it lives up to the high standards of its founders. As a rule, AKT's products don't break character — ever. It's this effectiveness that has propelled AKT from the backstage to bathroom cabinets, bedside tables, duffel bags, and carry-on luggage worldwide. And the good news is — the performance is just getting started.

About The Role:

In this brand-new role reporting into the SVP Global Sales, the Key Account Manager – North America Wholesale, leads AKT's wholesale business across the region, driving revenue growth, strengthening retailer partnerships, and ensuring operational excellence. You will be directly accountable for US wholesale performance, with initial focus on Sephora and Ulta, expanding to department stores and speciality retail. This role will work closely with other AKT colleagues in the UK specifically: Marketing on the Coordination of launches, activations, and retailer campaigns; Supply Chain & Operations Ensuring forecast accuracy, OTIF (on-time in-full) delivery, and allocation planning  Finance: to manage account-level P&L, budgets, and promotional spend and Product Development in order to Share retailer insights to influence pipeline.

Requirements

• Financial Oversight: Oversee account-level P&L, budgets, and promotional spend, ensuring profitability, accuracy, and alignment with financial targets.
• Relationship management: Build trusted, long-term relationships with senior-level buyers and planners at key US retailers.
• Strategic planning: Develop annual joint business plans (JBPs) with key retailers, aligning AKT and retailer strategies.
• Sales and negotiation: Deliver top-line sales and profitability through effective negotiations on terms, placement, and promotions.
• Market analysis: Use data insights to optimize sales and identify opportunities.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Partner with marketing, supply chain, and product teams to ensure flawless execution of launches and activations.
• Merchandising and brand visibility: Maximize in-store and online brand presentation

About You:

• Experience as a key account management or channel sales experience, specifically within the beauty, skincare, or personal care industry. Must have experience working with Sephora and Ulta
• Industry knowledge: A deep understanding of the beauty and bodycare market, including product lines, industry trends, and consumer behavior.
• Negotiation skills: Proven ability to negotiate and finalise contracts and manage promotional budgets effectively.
• Analytical skills: Demonstrable experience of analytical abilities to interpret sales data, manage budgets, and develop data-driven strategies.
• Communication skills: Excellent verbal and written communication, as well as strong presentation skills to engage with senior buyers and internal teams.
• Business acumen: Experience with profit and loss (P&L) management and financial analysis.
• CRM proficiency: Knowledge of and Familiarity with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel. 

Benefits

What's on Offer:

• This is a great opportunity to make a real impact and join the business in its next stage of growth having launched in the USA last year
• Flexible Working Policy: work from home and at NYC office space
• Employee discounts on our products
• Funny, kind and inclusive work environment. We are banter, but we get sh*t done
• 20 days PTO plus 3 Days at Christmas
• To be a part of a collective of creatives: at AKT brand is number 1

Everybody is welcome

AKT London is for everyone. We believe that an inclusive work environment and a diverse, empowered team are key to achieving our mission. Our products are gender free and built for every BODY to help give them the confidence to step onto their stage – whatever that may be – and PERFORM. Our work environment is no different. 

AKT London is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We commit to a focused and sustained action to dismantle racist systems, policies, practices, and ideologies within ourselves and our networks. We have zero tolerance for intolerance. With our Founders belonging to a minority community, we commit to difference and diversity from the beginning, and we know what a rich and creative work environment can cultivate.