National Account Manager I

About the Role

Hillman is seeking a high-performing National Account Manager I to lead and grow key customer relationships within the Farm & Home and Hardware channels. This role is ideal for a results-driven sales professional with deep experience managing large retail accounts, leveraging data-driven insights, and developing long-term growth strategies. This role will require frequent travel to cover the entire Midwest.

What You'll Do

• Strategic Account Leadership
  • Partner with the Director of National Accounts to develop sales forecasts, annual sales plans, and account-specific growth strategies
  • Create and execute strategic business plans that deliver profitable sales growth and achieve revenue objectives
  • Develop annual and multi-year sales strategies to drive organic growth and expand market share
  • Identify and secure new business opportunities within assigned national accounts
• Category Management & Data Analytics
  • Utilize customer POS, inventory, and market data to identify opportunities and optimize category performance
  • Conduct quarterly business reviews with customers, leveraging analytics to drive assortment decisions, SKU optimization, and new product introductions
  • Perform annual business reviews and line reviews to support long-term category growth and profitability
  • Apply fact-based selling techniques to influence customer decisions and strengthen partnerships
• Customer Relationship Management
  • Serve as the primary strategic contact for assigned national accounts
  • Collaborate with customers and internal teams to develop and execute successful merchandising programs and account initiatives
  • Lead new program implementations and act as the key liaison during account rollouts
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with customer decision-makers and cross-functional stakeholders
• Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Coach, mentor, and develop direct reports while fostering a high-performance sales culture
  • Partner closely with Field Service, Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to ensure flawless execution
  • Support the development and maintenance of account procedures and best practices
  • Provide ongoing communication, training, and feedback to team members to drive engagement and performance
• Marketing & Industry Engagement
  • Collaborate with Marketing to develop promotional programs, planograms, and category growth initiatives
  • Coordinate logistics and execution for special events, store openings, and store transitions
  • Represent Hillman at industry trade shows, customer meetings, and conventions
• Travel
  • Travel throughout Central/Midwest US as required to support customer relationships, business reviews, field visits, and industry events

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required
• 5+ years of sales, account management, or category management experience within the Consumer Products industry
• Experience managing large retail or national accounts
• Demonstrated success achieving sales growth, profit objectives, and strategic business goals
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret customer data and translate insights into action
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with Farm & Home retail customers, including organizations such as Bomgaars, Fleet Farm, Runnings, Blain's Farm & Fleet, Atwoods, Big R, and similar retailers
• Experience in the hardware, farm supply, or hardlines categories
• Strong knowledge of fasteners, rope, chain, wire products, and related hardware assortments
• Experience conducting category reviews, assortment planning, and retail merchandising initiatives
• Familiarity with vendor-managed inventory, field service programs, and retail execution strategies

Key Competencies

• Strategic Selling
• Category Management
• Fact-Based Selling & Analytics
• Customer Relationship Management
• Consultative Sales Approach
• Leadership & Team Development
• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Partnership
• Presentation & Communication Skills
• Entrepreneurial Mindset
• Results Orientation
• Business Acumen

Why Join Hillman

At Hillman, you'll have the opportunity to influence some of the industry's most important retail partnerships while helping shape the future of hardware and farm & home merchandising programs. If you're passionate about growing strategic accounts, utilizing data to drive results, and bringing innovative category solutions to customers, we'd love to hear from you.