Strategic Account Manager (Hybrid - El Segundo, CA)

Job Description

Job Summary (General Responsibilities):

As a Strategic Account Manager for the Strategic Partnerships division, you will be instrumental in assisting the implementation of our strategic partnership sales strategies. Your primary role will be to support the team in understanding and navigating the business operations and sales needs, aiding in the development and management of Belkin’s strategic partnerships. You will collaborate closely with the team to ensure the smooth running of existing accounts and aid in the identification of new opportunities. Through hands-on experience in day-to-day execution, you will acquire a deep understanding of the market and our technology offerings. This knowledge will enable you to provide valuable insights and support to the team, ensuring alignment with the broader company vision for partnerships.

Establish and maintain strong relationships with strategic partners, including Apple, in all regions. Interface with other departments as needed to drive business within accounts and resolve any issues that may arise. Will provide direction / assignments to Sales Support Representatives, Senior Sales Support Representatives, Planning and Operations to help develop sales business.

As market leader our success is built on long-term relationships across both our retail and distribution partners. Candidates are recommended to have a proven track record of building strong customer relationships, interfacing with internal and external stakeholders.

Core Competencies:

• Account Management: Expand sales within existing accounts, focus on customer service, develop relationships with key decision makers, understand and respond to customer needs, track and monitor account activity.

• Supply Chain and Operations Expertise: Own and lead all areas of business operations with our key strategic partners including planning, forecasting, in-stocks, NPI, EOLs, and product lifecycle management.
   
• Decision Making/Judgment: Recognize problems and respond, systematically gather information, sort through complex issues, seek input from others, address root causes of issues, make timely decisions, make difficult decisions, use consensus when possible, and communicate decisions others.
   
• Problem Solving/Analysis: Break down problems into smaller components, understand underlying issues, simplify and process complex issues, understand the difference between critical details and unimportant facts.
   
• Product Knowledge: Know and explain product features/benefits, understand/sell the full product line, understand customer's business operations and needs, understand/respond to the competition, apply market knowledge.

• Teamwork: Meet all team deadlines and responsibilities, listen to others and value opinions, help team leader to meet goals, welcome newcomers and promote a team atmosphere.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Demonstrate an ability to build and/or establish strong relationships with Apple in US and internationally along with other strategic partners at Belkin including product managers, buyers, planners, GSMs, operations, etc.
• Help cultivate and enhance partnerships with Apple in the EMEA region, focusing on collaborative opportunities that drive mutual growth and innovation in alignment with Belkin’s strategic objectives.
• Take full ownership of the customer’s hub chain inventory, overseeing all aspects of inbound, outbound, and on-hand consignment inventory to ensure optimal stock levels, minimize excess and obsolete inventory, and enhance overall supply chain efficiency.
• Maintain and enhance the global Power BI tool to support weekly sales analytics, ensuring accurate data visualization and reporting for the team. This includes regular updates, troubleshooting, and the integration of feedback to optimize the tool's functionality, thereby empowering team members with actionable insights to drive sales performance.
• Assist in the preparation and execution of global operations quarterly business reviews, contributing insights and data analysis to enhance presentations. As proficiency and understanding of the processes grow, work towards assuming full ownership of these reviews, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the organization.
• Lead the internal kickoff of product development initiatives specifically designed for the EMEA market, ensuring alignment with regional needs and market trends to deliver tailored solutions that effectively meet customer demands.
• Develop and execute upon business plans with Senior NAM and/or Sales Director to meet those goals.
• Assist customers with all account related questions, issues, or concerns. Provide accurate, timely information to the customers regarding inquiries such as products, pricing, and quotes.
• Execute upon direction from NAM / Director with respect to RMAs, returns & allowances (R&A), quotes, promotions, sell through, inventory management, turns, forecasts, and any other account activities that will impact financial results for the account(s), and report findings.
• Provide customer recaps for all meetings and take a leadership role to ensure all action items are executed upon including delegation of assignments to account representatives.
• Follow the sales team’s procedures for managing and maintaining opportunity pipeline, quotes, bids, etc. and be prepared to present that information when requested.
• Have understanding of industry market trends, competition, products, and pricing that may impact sales efforts and communicate this information to all sales management and other departments as necessary.
• Recognize and escalate any and all critical issues regarding accounts and/or company policies to management immediately.
• Travel to tradeshows and customer sites required. Depending on the assignment, international travel may be required.
• Conduct self in a professional and courteous manner.
• Take full responsibility for individual actions.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• 4-year college degree.
• One to three years’ experience in a sales/operations capacity or equivalent position. 
• The ability to multi-task and maintain accuracy is required.
• Ability to problem-solve, adapt to changing customer demands and sense of urgency
• Computer literate with a high degree of proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite of products including Word, Excel (Pivot Table and VLOOKUP expertise is a must), PowerPoint, Keynote, and Outlook. PowerBi experience helpful.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong presentation skills required.
• Willingness and ability to travel 50% international and/ or domestic.
• Willingness to work hours to support international regions.

What you’re getting into

El Segundo, California

Range for this position:

$70,000 - $85,000

Factors such as geographic location, academic credentials, relevant experience, and specific knowledge, skills and abilities will influence the actual salary offered. In addition to a competitive market-based salary, compensation also includes a performance-based bonus, and in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Further details can be found here.