exploding kittens
We are looking for a strategic, relationship-driven Senior Sales Manager to lead and grow our presence across mid-tier retailers and distribution channels in North America. This role focuses on expanding partnerships in specialty retail, department stores, off-price and closeout, farm and fleet, convenience, lifestyle, gift, and hobby markets. You will play a critical role in driving revenue, leading sales planning, supporting product development, and ensuring brand consistency across channels. HOW YOU’LL CONTRIBUTE Lead Account Management: Own engagement with current and new retailers in Mid-Tier/Grocery/Arts & Craft/ Value/Club channels, Specialty & Hobby distributors, and external sales reps, maintaining strong partnerships and identifying new opportunities for growth. Sales Planning & Forecasting: Manage budgeting and forecasting for assigned accounts, track performance against annual sales goals, and develop strategies to meet or exceed targets. Inventory & Operations Oversight: • Drive excess inventory reduction initiatives • Coordinate with Sales Coordinators, Sales Ops, and Logistics to ensure timely order fulfillment • Partner with Demand Planning to maintain appropriate inventory levels and align on production needs Retail-Ready Product Strategy: Collaborate with Game Development and Product teams to advise on product-market fit, ensuring new games align with retailer needs and have strong sell-in potential. Marketing Collaboration: Partner with the Marketing team to develop channel-specific programs and support broader market campaigns to drive sell-through. Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead and contribute to cross-functional initiatives that drive account performance, retail presence, and customer satisfaction. Trade Show Management: Oversee the trade show calendar, manage logistics, and represent Exploding Kittens at events and conferences as needed. Other Duties as assigned by Manager Amazon Responsibilities • Vendor & Partnership Management: Cultivate and negotiate relationships with Amazon Global (US, CA and International), ensuring contract compliance, favorable terms, and exclusive-product agreements. • Pricing & Promotions Strategy: Develop and execute base-line and event-driven pricing strategies (coordinating with finance and marketing) to boost visibility, drive sales, and protect pricing integrity across all Amazon channels. • Market Intelligence & Collaboration: Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and channel updates; serve as a strategic liaison by sharing insights and collaborating with Game Development, Marketing, and UK/EU Amazon teams on product launches and campaign alignment. • Stakeholder Communication: Monitor e-commerce news and platform changes, escalate critical updates, and present actionable recommendations to senior leadership and cross-functional partners. • Product Launch Management: Lead Amazon US & Canada product launches: coordinating cross-functional teams, vendor readiness, timeline execution, and promotional activities to ensure seamless rollouts and maximum market impact. • Team Management: Collaborate and Manage the appropriate internal and external teams to execute all plans on the account WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR • 5–7 years in a sales/account management role, preferably in consumer goods, toys, or retail • Ability to do multiple levels of market research • Product development • Sales analysis and reporting • Communication skills • Experience working with external sales reps and distributors • Familiarity with trade show planning and execution • Proficiency with forecasting tools, sales dashboards, and retail analytics • Strong Presentation skills • Ability to Travel