Cape Town City Centre: Key Account Manager (Retail)

Purpose of the Role The Key Account Manager (KAM) will be responsible for managing a portfolio of national and international retail and wholesale clients. This role focuses on building long-term relationships, maximising sales opportunities, driving brand visibility, and ensuring excellent execution of standards across partner channels. Key Responsibilities Account Management & Sales Growth Manage and grow a portfolio of key retail, corporate, and wholesale accounts Develop and implement tailored business plans for each key account to meet revenue targets and business objectives Identify growth opportunities within existing accounts and seek new key customer partnerships Negotiate trading terms, pricing, product assortment, and promotions with accounts in line with company strategy Relationship Building Build strong, trusted relationships with buyers, planners, and procurement teams Act as the primary point of contact between and key clients Conduct regular client meetings, business reviews, and store visits where applicable Forecasting & Reporting Provide accurate sales forecasts and collaborate with internal teams (planning, supply chain, finance) to ensure optimal stock availability Monitor and analyse account performance, sales data, and market trends Prepare and present regular reports on key account activity and performance Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with Marketing to ensure brand consistency in trade marketing and promotional campaigns Liaise with Product Development to ensure account needs and market trends are fed into product strategies Coordinate with Logistics and Customer Service to ensure smooth order fulfilment and issue resolution Retail Execution Ensure the brand is represented accurately and consistently across all key account touchpoints (in-store, online, catalogue, etc.) Drive merchandising and promotional execution through partner stores in collaboration with the Visual Merchandising team Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, or related field Minimum 5 years’ experience in key account management or B2B sales, preferably in premium/luxury retail, lifestyle, or FMCG sectors Proven ability to manage large retail accounts and meet sales targets Strong negotiation, presentation, and interpersonal skills Analytical and data-driven, with strong Excel and reporting skills Experience with CRM and ERP systems (e.g., Sage, Syspro, or similar) Ability to travel locally and internationally if required A passion for design, creativity, and premium products is advantageous