Account Manager - Branded Promotional Merchandise Sales at BDA Inc in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Job description

• In this role, you are both strategic and sales-driven to manage and grow a portfolio of high-value enterprise and hybrid accounts within the branded merchandise industry. This role requires a deep understanding of the promotional products space, strong enterprise-level relationship management, and a proven ability to drive revenue growth through strategic planning, value-driven selling, and cross-functional collaboration.
• You must be both a strategist and a closer and thrive on expanding client relationships, exceeding sales goals, and delivering creative solutions that align with brand compliance and client marketing objectives.
• LOCATION:
• The ideal candidate for this role will be within a commutable distance of Waterloo, Ontario with the ability to work an onsite schedule of onsite 4 days per week, with 1 day remote. Candidates in the Metro Toronto area will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Sales & Account Growth
• Prepare and maintain an actionable strategic account plan using the OST model (Objective, Strategy, Tactics) for all assigned accounts focused on quarterly budget attainment (profit and margin results).
• 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.
• Ensure data hygiene guideline compliance. Manage all opportunities, tasks, and key performance indicators to prescribed guidelines through insights from Salesforce CRM, promo and program performance analysis, and proactive recommendations.
• Client Relationship & Brand Stewardship
• 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.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• 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.
• Coordinate and manage multiple complex projects with varying scopes, timelines, and logistical considerations.
• Operational Execution
• Ensure client pre-sale, order and approval processes, supplier compliance standards and production timeline expectations are met
• Ensure all project communications, updates, and deliverables meet client and internal expectations.
• Accurately log and manage account activity in Salesforce to ensure full pipeline visibility and performance tracking.
• Client Events & Onboarding
• Successfully onboard new enterprise clients, ensuring a smooth and strategic launch.
• Coordinate and attend client events as needed, ensuring high satisfaction and brand alignment.
• Participation in departmental and other meetings as required
• Other duties as assigned by direct manager, sales leadership and/or executive team

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in the branded merchandise/promotional products industry preferred.
• 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.
• Willingness to travel approximately 50% of the time.

Skills

Required

• Strategic sales and account growth
• Enterprise-level relationship management
• Value-driven selling
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Project management
• Organizational skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to manage multiple priorities

Preferred

• Salesforce experience

Benefits

• We are pleased to share the base salary range for this position is $95,000 to $112,000 CAD. If you are hired at BDA, your compensation will be determined based on factors that may include geographic location, skills, education, and experience. In addition to these factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of any offer. In the spirit of pay transparency, the range listed is the full base salary range for the role and hiring at the top of the range would not be typical, in order to allow for future salary growth. The range listed is just one component of BDA’s total compensation and rewards programs. Certain revenue-generating positions may be eligible for incentive compensation.