Account Manager, Independent Retail Toys, Collectibles & Party Goods

As an Account Manager, Independent Retail, you will sell toys, collectibles, party goods and Halloween products to independent and specialty retailers across Canada. You will sell primarily to the purchasing decision-makers at these stores. This role is 75% account management and 25% new business development. You will be assigned an existing book of independent retail accounts, supported by company-supplied prospect lists and warm leads. Selling is done mostly by Zoom, phone and email, with face-to-face meetings at toy shows. This is a new position created through company expansion, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer. The base salary is $70,000 – $75,000 CAD, plus commissions and bonuses.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• $70,000 – $75,000 CAD base salary, depending on experience, plus commissions and bonuses • Year 1 OTE: approximately $80,000 – $85,000 CAD • Year 2 OTE: approximately $90,000 – $95,000 CAD • Uncapped commission, paid quarterly • Annual company-performance bonus, uncapped • Health benefit allowance • Laptop provided • 15 vacation days, 5 sick days and 5 personal days per year • Employee recognition, gifts and rewards program • Hybrid work arrangement • Mileage reimbursement for client visits

THE COMPANY & CULTURE

Our client was founded in 1971 and is a privately held partnership in a scale-up phase, growing revenue 75–100% per year. Headquartered in Toronto (Scarborough), Ontario, with approximately 30 employees, they are a wholesale distributor of toys, collectibles, party goods and Halloween products, holding exclusive Canadian distribution rights for a number of leading toy and collectibles brands. In the past year they have grown from one product category to four. They sell to big box, national, regional, independent and e-commerce retailers. Clients include Walmart, Amazon, Canadian Tire, Party City, Loblaws, Staples, Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, Mastermind and Indigo.

The company describes its culture as entrepreneurial and community-based, with a hands-off leadership style and a strong emphasis on accountability and follow-through. Annual employee turnover is under 10% and average tenure is 5–10 years.

OFFICE LOCATION & SALES TERRITORY

• Head Office: Toronto (Scarborough), Ontario • Work arrangement: Hybrid — 2 to 3 days per week in office preferred, with flexibility for the right candidate. The first 3 weeks are in office for training. • Sales territory: Assigned independent and specialty retail accounts across Canada • Day-to-day selling is conducted by Zoom, phone and email; in-person buyer meetings take place at toy shows and occasional client visits • Overnight travel: Less than 5% — approximately once per year • Hours: Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week. No evening or weekend client calls required.

EXPERIENCE, BACKGROUND & EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• 0–10 years of sales or account management experience; recent graduates are encouraged to apply • B2B experience selling consumer products to retailers is preferred — backgrounds in consumer packaged goods, toys, collectibles, giftware, housewares, party or seasonal products are relevant • Industry experience is not required — our client will train the right candidate • Experience working with independent or specialty retailers is an asset • Strong verbal and written communication skills are required • Genuine interest in toys, collectibles or consumer products • Education is not a requirement • French/English bilingualism is an asset, not a requirement • Driver's licence is not required

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Microsoft Excel — Intermediate • Microsoft PowerPoint — Intermediate • Microsoft Word — Intermediate • Google Drive / Docs — Intermediate • Zoom / online presentations — Basic • ERP and CRM systems — training provided • Comfort using AI tools for research and presentation preparation is an asset

THE PRODUCT / SERVICE / SOLUTION

• Toys and games • Collectibles • Party goods • Halloween costumes, accessories and décor • Outdoor and pool products (new line launching in 2027)

PROSPECTIVE CUSTOMERS / INDUSTRY FOCUS / DECISION MAKER(S)

• Independent and specialty retail stores selling toys, collectibles, party and seasonal products • Retailers located across Canada • Primary decision-makers: purchasing decision-makers at independent retail stores • Typically two people influence each purchasing decision

SALES CYCLE / ORDER VALUE / ACCOUNT SIZE

• Ideal order value for independent and specialty retailers is approximately $2,000 • Sales cycles for independent retail orders are typically 1–4 weeks • On average, 3 calls or meetings lead to a first order • Business is seasonal, built around spring and fall programs; approximately 60% of annual sales take place in Q3 and Q4

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

• Depth of product offering across four categories, including exclusive Canadian distribution rights for leading brands • Fast order acknowledgement and order turnaround •