Account Manager, Client Growth (Branded Merchandise) New Jersey, United States
About the role
As an Account Manager at BDA, you will play a vital role in building and maintaining strong relationships with our clients. In this role, you are both strategic and sales-driven to manage and grow a portfolio of high-value enterprise and/or hybrid accounts within the branded merchandise industry.
Responsibilities
Own and exceed sales and margin goals across assigned accounts.
Identify new opportunities within existing accounts to drive incremental revenue through strategic prospecting and relationship building.
Act as a trusted advisor to clients, aligning merchandise strategies with their broader marketing and brand objectives.
Lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and Account Business Reviews (ABRs), delivering insights, performance metrics, and strategic roadmaps.
Forecast revenue and contribute to long-term strategic planning for key accounts.
Build and maintain strong relationships with client stakeholders, serving as the primary point of contact.
Ensure full compliance with brand guidelines, contracts, and program standards.
Deliver proactive, solutions-oriented support to meet evolving client needs, acting as both consultant and problem-solver.
Work closely with Creative, Merchandising, Programs, Sales Ops, Supplier Relations, and other internal teams to deliver a best-in-class client experience.
Develop merchandise strategies that reflect market trends and elevate the client’s brand.
Carefully coordinate and manage multiple complex projects with varying scopes, timelines, and logistical considerations.
Ensure client pre-sale, order and approval processes, supplier compliance standards and production timeline expectations are met.
Accurately log and manage account activity in Salesforce to ensure full pipeline visibility and performance tracking.
Successfully onboard new enterprise clients, ensuring a smooth and strategic launch.
Coordinate and attend client events as needed, ensuring high satisfaction and brand alignment.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or related field.
5+ years of experience in the branded merchandise/promotional products industry preferred.
Qualifications
Proven track record of sales success and strategic account growth.
Exceptional communication skills — written, verbal, and interpersonal.
Highly detail-oriented with strong organizational and project management skills.
Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Strong judgment, professionalism, and ability to navigate sensitive client interactions.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; Salesforce experience strongly preferred.
High level of curiosity, accountability, and a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, client-focused environment.
Skills
Strategic thinking and execution.
Client relationship management.
Merchandise strategy development.
Collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Project management.
Client event coordination.
Benefits
Base salary range for this position is $70,000 to $82,000. Additional benefits include:
Roadmap to $100,000+ potential annual base salary with performance-based incentives.
Robust PTO;
Vacation, a volunteer day, holidays and summer Fridays;
Benefits;
Medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance;
401(k);
Tuition reimbursement;
Mental health and financial wellness programs;
Professional development opportunities including tuition reimbursement.
Pay
The base salary range for this position is $70,000 to $82,000. Hiring at the top of the range would not be typical, in order to allow for future salary growth.
Schedule
This position is based in our Indianapolis office 4 days per week, with monthly travel to a client site in New Jersey. Alternatively, it may be structured as a remote role for candidates within commuting distance of New Brunswick, NJ, with expectations for periodic in-person meetings, hand-delivered samples, and on-the-ground support for last-minute requests. Candidates based in New York City may also have access to BDA’s Bryant Park office.