Sales Account Manager - GCI Outdoor

SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER – GCI OUTDOOR

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Gathr Outdoors, a portfolio company of Centre Partners, is a diversified global company that designs and manufactures outdoor products and sporting goods. Each of Gathr's core business platforms is a recognized leader in its respective market and a trusted partner to some of the world's most recognizable brands and retailers.

Gathr's business segments include OUTDOOR (GCI Outdoor, Klymit, Rightline Gear, and WaterPORT) and RECREATION (PrideSports, Golf Scorecards, Pride Manufacturing, and MacNeill Engineering). Each segment is focused on providing industry-leading product development, engineering, design, and customer service and support to customers around the world.

Since 1996, GCI Outdoor has been a leading innovator in outdoor recreational gear, offering products such as chairs, camp tables, stadium seats, and more. GCI Outdoor products are available through more than 250 retailers worldwide and online at www.gcioutdoor.com. The brand continues to expand into growing markets, including hardware, beach, RV, and tailgating, creating exciting opportunities for continued growth.

At Gathr Outdoors, we believe experiences are always more powerful when spent together outside. We are Better Together, Passionate by Nature, Blazing New Trails, and Rugged for a Reason! Come join us-everyone is welcome at our camp!

ABOUT THE POSITION

Gathr Outdoors is seeking a Sales Account Manager – GCI Outdoor to join our Outdoor Sales team in Higganum, Connecticut. This position is responsible for managing and growing an assigned portfolio of retail and dealer accounts, developing new business opportunities, and driving profitable sales growth for the GCI Outdoor brand.

The Sales Account Manager serves as the primary relationship manager for assigned customers, developing account strategies, presenting product lines and seasonal programs, securing preseason commitments, and identifying opportunities to expand product placement and distribution. This role requires a strong understanding of retail sales, customer buying cycles, inventory management, and account profitability.

The ideal candidate brings proven B2B sales and account management experience, strong relationship-building and negotiation skills, and a proactive approach to identifying and pursuing growth opportunities. Success in this role requires the ability to independently manage customer relationships, collaborate across internal teams, and consistently deliver results against established sales goals.

This position is based on-site in Higganum, CT when not traveling for business and requires up to 50% travel for customer visits, trade shows, buying-group events, and sales meetings.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Account Management & Sales Growth

• Manage an assigned portfolio of retail and dealer accounts, with accountability for sales performance, customer retention, and profitable growth.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with retail buyers, dealers, distributors, and other key customer contacts.
• Achieve established sales goals through proactive account management, customer engagement, and strategic selling initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to grow existing accounts through assortment expansion, new-product placements, replenishment programs, and increased distribution.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, including prospecting potential customers and reactivating inactive accounts.
• Develop and execute account plans that align with customer needs, sales objectives, and overall business strategies.
• Monitor account performance and take proactive steps to address sales gaps, customer concerns, and emerging opportunities.

Retail Sales & Customer Development

• Present GCI Outdoor product lines, seasonal programs, and new-product offerings to retail buyers and customer buying offices.
• Lead preseason selling activities, secure customer commitments, and ensure timely follow-through on buying deadlines and account requirements.
• Analyze account sales, available retail sell-through data, and inventory trends to identify opportunities and address potential risks.
• Partner with customers and Marketing to improve product presentation, in-store merchandising, and point-of-sale materials.
• Educate customers on domestic and direct-import programs, recommending appropriate solutions within established pricing, freight, promotional, and channel policies.
• Support customer negotiations and sales programs while maintaining alignment with company profitability objectives.
• Plan and conduct customer visits, product presentations, trade shows, and buying-group meetings to strengthen relationships and drive business growth.

Sales Planning, Forecasting & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Develop and maintain accurate sales forecasts, customer records, sales opportunities, and account activity within company systems.
• Monitor customer demand, seasonal purchasing patterns, and inventory requirements to support effective sales planning.
• Collaborate with Customer Service, Demand Planning, Operations, Marketing, and Finance to support account needs and business objectives.
• Coordinate internally to resolve customer issues, communicate delivery risks, and ensure timely follow-through on commitments.
• Partner with internal teams to evaluate promotional opportunities, customer programs, and account profitability.
• Provide regular updates on account performance, sales opportunities, customer activity, and potential business risks.
• Identify opportunities to improve sales processes, account management practices, and overall customer experience.
• Participate in cross-functional projects and initiatives as the company continues to evolve and grow.
• Perform additional responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

• 2–5 years of relevant B2B sales or account management experience, with demonstrated success managing customer accounts and delivering sales growth.
• Experience selling to retailers, dealers, distributors, or buying groups preferred.
• Experience presenting product lines, seasonal programs, and sales proposals to retail buyers or buying offices preferred.
• Strong understanding of retailer margins, inventory management, seasonal purchasing cycles, and product assortment decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain customer relationships, identify growth opportunities, and independently manage multiple accounts.
• Strong sales presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, with the ability to analyze sales data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable account strategies.
• Experience using CRM, ERP, or comparable business systems to manage customer information, sales opportunities, and forecasting.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize competing customer needs and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 50% for customer visits, trade shows, and other business-related activities.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience in the outdoor recreation, sporting goods, consumer products, or related retail industries.
• Experience managing wholesale retail accounts, dealer networks, or distributor relationships.
• Experience developing new business and expanding existing customer accounts.
• Experience with seasonal product launches, preseason selling programs, and retail buying cycles.
• Familiarity with domestic and direct-import sales programs.
• Experience analyzing retail sell-through data, inventory trends, and account profitability.
• Experience working in a multi-brand consumer products or manufacturing organization.

SKILLS / PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong sales aptitude with a customer-focused approach to relationship management and business development.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with customers, colleagues, and business partners.
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills with the ability to communicate product value and influence buying decisions.
• Results-oriented and driven, with a demonstrated ability to achieve sales goals and identify growth opportunities.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability with consistent follow-through on customer commitments.
• Ability to independently manage multiple accounts, prioritize competing demands, and meet established deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify opportunities and develop practical solutions.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing customer needs, market conditions, and business priorities.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with a continuous-improvement mindset.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across a cross-functional organization.
• Positive, personable, and team-oriented approach.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Sales, or a related field preferred, or equivalent professional experience.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Works fully on-site at the GCI Outdoor location in Higganum, CT when not traveling for business.
• Requires up to 25% travel for customer visits, trade shows, buying-group events, and sales meetings.
• Regularly uses a computer and standard office equipment for account management, reporting, presentations, and customer communication.
• May be required to lift, retrieve, or reposition products and trade-show materials weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Gathr Outdoors is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request (you can email People@GathrOutdoors.com). The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.