Retail Account Executive

Retail Account Executive

Kate McLeod creates solid body care that delivers the most concentrated moisture on earth, harnessing the power of pure plant butters. Our waterless formulas melt nature's most nourishing ingredients directly into your skin, without dilution or fillers.

We're best known for The Body Stone™—a moisturizing lotion bar that melts on contact with dry skin, delivering a deep-conditioning treatment that's clinically proven to boost moisture levels and keep you hydrated for 72 hours.

Job Title: Retail Account Executive - NYC Metro / NJ

Location: NYC Metro / New Jersey

Reports To: CEO and works closely with Founder

Job Type: Contract-to-Full-Time (~40 hours/week; salaried)

Schedule: Tuesday–Saturday

Travel: ~80-90% local field travel; this is a hands-on role

Job Overview

The Retail Account Executive is the face of Kate McLeod in the NYC Metro / NJ market—and our first hire in sales and field support. This is a unique opportunity to join us at the ground floor, make a visible impact, and grow alongside the brand as our retail presence expands.

This role blends strategy with action: managing key accounts, nurturing store relationships, leading trainings, and hosting events that turn education into measurable sales results. Because our products are category-defining innovation, success in this role comes from inspiring others—equipping Beauty Advisors and customers to experience something truly new in body care.

You will also have the opportunity to work closely with and learn from the company's Founder Kate McLeod, gaining exposure that few field roles offer. You'll be trained not only in product knowledge but in sharing the founder story, which is central to how we connect with Beauty Advisors and customers. Success requires comfort with hands-on demos, engaging conversations, and tailoring experiences to different retail environments.

This is more than a sales role. It's a chance to serve as a brand ambassador for an innovative, growing brand and help us define how we show up in prestige retail. If you're inspired by innovation, motivated by connection, and ready to grow your career while growing a brand, we'd love to meet you.

This position is offered as contract-to-full-time, giving the right candidate the chance to demonstrate impact quickly in Q4 and, if successful, transition into a permanent role in Q1 2026. We are also open to direct full-time hire for the right fit and experience.

Key Responsibilities

Retail Account Ownership

• Represent Kate McLeod as a brand ambassador in the field, modeling professionalism, polish, and authenticity in all store interactions.
• Ensure the brand is presented with consistency and care, reflecting our aesthetic while engaging a diverse audience and sharing our company values.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Sephora and Nordstrom doors across NYC Metro and NJ.
• Deliver and exceed monthly sales targets in both dollars and units.
• Build lasting, trust-based relationships with store leadership and Beauty Advisors.
• Monitor performance, identify opportunities, and create clear action plans for growth.

Share both the brand story and founder's story in ways that inspire teams and deepen customer connection.

Field Sales & Education

• Bring our innovation to life through hands-on demos that show how different and effective our products are.
• Deliver trainings that energize Beauty Advisors, giving them tools to confidently sell and build advocacy.
• Tailor education and events to different environments, knowing how to engage a Nordstrom shopper vs. a Sephora shopper.
• Host impactful in-store events during peak traffic times to drive trial and conversion.

Ensure merchandising, fixtures, and testers reflect the quality of our brand.

Event Planning & Execution

• Plan and execute launches, activations, and retail events from start to finish.
• Manage logistics, staffing, and content capture with precision.

Partner with the founder and marketing team for special appearances and activations.

Education Program Development

• Collaborate with the education team to develop scalable resources that elevate BA engagement.

Pilot new approaches to in-store education, sharing insights to refine the program.

Market Insights & Advocacy

• Act as the brand's eyes and ears in the field, reporting on trends, competition, and store needs.
• Advocate for prime placement, increased visibility, and incremental opportunities.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in beauty retail, sales, or account management (prestige/luxury and skincare or fragrance experience preferred).
• Demonstrated track record of sales growth and KPI management.
• Strong communicator and trainer; skilled at building authentic relationships.
• Highly organized, adaptable, and energized by a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in event planning and retail activations.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and CRM tools.

Willingness to travel extensively within the market.

Preferred:

• Experience growing a founder-led brand.
• Existing relationships with Sephora or Nordstrom teams.
• Knowledge of industry trends and merchandising best practices.
• Passion for clean beauty, sustainability, and wellness.

Compensation & Benefits

• $75,000–$85,000/year (based on experience)
• Performance bonus, to be defined collaboratively to reflect impact and contribution
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) plan
• Semi-annual performance reviews
• Exclusive employee discounts

Kate McLeod is committed to building a diverse team and fostering an inclusive culture. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome our employees' differences in race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, medical conditions, among other characteristics.