Account Manager - Merchandising, Retail & Auto

WorkWhile
United States
RemoteCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for candidates with retail or merchandising experience who manage multi-location accounts and build strategic client relationships.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with retail or merchandising experience managing multi-location accounts
    — “managing a portfolio of accounts - from big-box, grocery, and specialty retailers to merchandising and consumer brands and other multi-location operators”
  • Individuals who can act as strategic partners and trusted advisors to client operations leadership
    — “acting as a strategic partner who understands the fast-paced, demand-driven nature of retail and merchandising operations”
  • Candidates who can navigate complex labor challenges and align workforce solutions with client goals
    — “aligning WorkWhile's solutions to their operational goals and labor challenges”

Things to consider

  • Requires managing high-volume, shift-based environments with peak demand cycles
    — “especially during peak seasons, resets and remodels, inventory cycles, and high-volume periods”
  • Involves regular in-person company off-sites despite remote work flexibility
    — “Remote work culture with opportunities for co-working in SF, NY, Seattle & Toronto”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience managing enterprise accounts and driving retention and growth
    — “managing multi-location or enterprise accounts is a strong plus”
  • Demonstrate CRM proficiency with specific tools like Salesforce or Google Suite
    — “Solid experience with CRM software (Salesforce or similar) and Google Suite”
  • Showcase ability to forecast and track metrics like fill rates and client satisfaction
    — “Forecast and track key account metrics including fill rates, worker performance, client satisfaction scores, and revenue growth”
  • Emphasize experience in resolving complex client escalations effectively
    — “Assist with challenging client requests or issue escalations, providing quick and effective resolutions”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • build and maintain strong client relationships
  • drive satisfaction, retention, and growth
  • identify upsell and expansion opportunities
Typical background
sales experience in retail or merchandisingbackground in account management

Skills & requirements

Required

Account ManagementClient Relationship ManagementSales StrategyContract NegotiationCustomer Service

Preferred

Retail Industry KnowledgeMerchandising Experience

Stack & domain

LeadershipCommunicationRetailMerchandisingAuto

About the role

Original posting from WorkWhile via Ashby

ACCOUNT MANAGER – MERCHANDISING, RETAIL & AUTO

ABOUT WORKWHILE

WorkWhile is on a mission to help workers earn a better living and live better lives. 83 million Americans work hourly jobs, often with unpredictable schedules that pay close to minimum wage and offer limited benefits, leading to financial instability.

WorkWhile identifies the best hourly workers and matches them with shifts that fit their skills, location, and life. Businesses get access to a quality workforce, while workers get stable income and unmatched benefits, including next day pay, free telehealth services, and financial services.

We have the audacious goal to align incentives and solve inefficiencies in the labor market, disrupting the $650 billion staffing and recruiting market. Backed by Khosla Ventures and recognized by the Inc. 5000 for 10x growth, WorkWhile is reshaping the future of work.

ROLE SUMMARY

WorkWhile is looking for an Account Manager to join our Merchandising, Retail & Auto pod and build long-term, trusting relationships with our clients. This role is focused on managing a portfolio of accounts - from big-box, grocery, and specialty retailers to merchandising and consumer brands and other multi-location operators - ensuring they have the right in-store, reset crew, and distribution center workforce to keep operations running smoothly, especially during peak seasons, resets and remodels, inventory cycles, and high-volume periods.

You will serve as the primary point of contact for your clients, driving satisfaction, retention, and growth while acting as a strategic partner who understands the fast-paced, demand-driven nature of retail and merchandising operations.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

  • Serve as the lead point of contact for all account management matters for your clients, including staffing planning, escalations, and ongoing strategy
  • Build and maintain strong, long-lasting relationships with store operations managers, district managers, merchandising and DC leaders, HR leaders, and other key stakeholders
  • Develop a deep understanding of each client's environment - including seasonal hiring surges, reset and remodel calendars, inventory events, and customer traffic patterns - to proactively meet their workforce needs
  • Maintain and grow client contracts, identifying upsell and expansion opportunities across store locations, distribution centers, regions, or new job categories
  • Develop trusted advisor relationships with key accounts, aligning WorkWhile's solutions to their operational goals and labor challenges
  • Ensure timely and successful fulfillment of shifts and workforce solutions in line with client expectations and SLAs
  • Communicate the progress of weekly, monthly, and quarterly workforce initiatives clearly to both internal teams and client stakeholders
  • Forecast and track key account metrics including fill rates, worker performance, client satisfaction scores, and revenue growth
  • Prepare regular account health reports and business reviews tailored to operations leadership
  • Collaborate with the Sales team to identify growth opportunities within existing accounts and expand WorkWhile's presence across new store locations, banners, or regions
  • Partner with Ops teams to ensure worker supply meets client demand, especially during peak periods (holidays, back-to-school, large reset programs, etc.)
  • Assist with challenging client requests or issue escalations, providing quick and effective resolutions to minimize operational disruption

WHAT YOU BRING

  • 3-5+ years of proven experience as an Account Manager, ideally within retail, merchandising, staffing, or workforce solutions. Experience in automotive is a plus, but not required
  • Strong understanding of retail operations, labor dynamics, and the staffing challenges unique to high-volume, shift-based environments
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate, present, and influence stakeholders at all levels — from store managers to VP-level executives
  • Experience managing multi-location or enterprise accounts is a strong plus
  • Solid experience with CRM software (Salesforce or similar) and Google Suite
  • Track record of delivering client-focused solutions and hitting retention and growth targets
  • Ability to juggle multiple accounts and competing priorities while maintaining sharp attention to detail
  • Excellent listening, negotiation, and presentation skills
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Undergraduate degree preferred

BENEFITS & PERKS

  • Competitive base salary + commission with clear OTE upside
  • Equity
  • Remote work culture with opportunities for co-working in SF, NY, Seattle & Toronto
  • In-person company off-sites
  • Medical, dental, & vision coverage
  • Flexible time off
  • 401(k)
  • WFH stipend to support your home office needs

WorkWhile has a diverse, mission-driven, and supportive culture—we look for people who want to take ownership, are energized by ambiguity, and strive to make a lasting impact. If this resonates with you, we’d love to chat!

Source: WorkWhile careers (Ashby)

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