Director, Client Engagement, Retail

Director, Client Engagement, Retail

Shape the Future of Retail Negotiations

Conlego is the leading advisory, training, and technology firm helping retailers and CPG companies unlock value through strategic negotiations, Joint Business Planning, category management, and partnership development. Our clients include some of the most recognized retailers and brands in the industry.

We're seeking an experienced retail leader to join our team as a Director, Client Engagement. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to senior retail executives, lead complex client engagements, coach merchants and leadership teams, and help clients achieve transformational business outcomes through Conlego's proprietary methodologies and technology platform, Portager.ai.

T

his is a high-impact leadership role for someone who thrives in complex business environments, enjoys solving strategic challenges, and wants to influence the future of retail partnerships.

What You'll Do

Lead Strategic Client Engagements

• Serve as the executive lead for one or more client engagements, ensuring exceptional client outcomes and long-term relationship growth.
• Assess client opportunities and develop comprehensive engagement strategies that align near-term priorities with long-term business objectives.
• Own engagement execution, ensuring projects remain on track, deliver measurable value, and exceed client expectations.
• Act as the primary point of contact for senior client stakeholders, including merchant leadership, executives, and C-suite leaders.

Drive Negotiation and Joint Business Planning Excellence

• Lead high-stakes negotiations from strategy development through execution and business award decisions.
• Guide retailers through Joint Business Planning processes that strengthen supplier partnerships and improve financial performance.
• Evaluate supplier proposals and financial trade-offs, helping clients identify opportunities, risks, and sources of leverage.
• Leverage Conlego's proprietary technology platform, Portager.ai, to analyze offers, develop negotiation strategies, and improve decision quality.

Influence and Develop Client Organizations

• Coach merchants and leaders on negotiation strategy, category management, and value creation.
• Build alignment among diverse stakeholder groups and effectively navigate organizational dynamics.
• Develop compelling executive-level communications, presentations, and engagement narratives that drive action and commitment.
• Customize training and advisory content to address client-specific business challenges.

Lead Internal Teams and Thought Leadership

• Direct and mentor cross-functional Conlego teams to deliver exceptional client results.
• Continuously improve Conlego's methodologies, negotiation frameworks, and Joint Business Planning capabilities.
• Contribute to the growth of the firm through innovation, thought leadership, and best-practice development.

What We're Looking For

Required Experience

• 12 years of progressive retail experience, including leadership roles such as Senior Buyer, Director, Group Merchandise Manager, Category Director, or equivalent.
• Deep experience leading complex supplier negotiations and executing Joint Business Planning initiatives.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to analyze commercial proposals, evaluate trade-offs, and influence business decisions.
• Experience owning or directly managing a P&L strongly preferred.

Leadership & Consulting Skills

• Exceptional executive communication and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, often without direct authority.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving capabilities and sound business judgment.
• Demonstrated success leading teams, managing ambiguity, and driving results in fast-paced environments.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a willingness to roll up your sleeves and do whatever is needed to support clients and teammates.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel approximately 20%.
• Passion for helping retailers and brands create stronger, more valuable partnerships.

Why Conlego?

At Conlego, you'll work alongside some of the industry's leading retail and negotiation experts while helping shape the future of retailer-supplier collaboration.

We offer:

• Competitive compensation
• Fully paid medical and dental benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• Profit-sharing program
• Flexible, entrepreneurial work environment
• Opportunity to work with top retailers and CPG organizations
• Industry-leading technology and advisory resources

Join the team that is redefining retail negotiations and partnership development.