What are the responsibilities and job description for the Key Account Manager - Target position at Peaklign Partners?
Key Account Manager - Target
Location: Remote / Minneapolis, MN
Company Website: www.peaklignpartners.com
About Peaklign Partners
Peaklign Partners is a fast-growing CPG sales, retail strategy, and growth consultancy supporting emerging and established brands across food, beverage, nutrition, and lifestyle categories. We help brands scale through strategic retail partnerships, data-driven planning, top-tier execution, and long-term business development at major retailers including Target, Walmart, Kroger, H-E-B, Costco, and others. We act as an extension of the brands we represent — building category growth strategies, selling in innovation, negotiating programs, optimizing performance, and ensuring brands win on both the physical and digital shelf. We are now hiring this role to lead and expand Peaklign’s client business at Target.
Why This Role Matters
This role is critical to Peaklign’s growth and to the success of the brands we represent. You will own the Target relationship, lead new business opportunities, manage day-to-day execution, and ensure our client partners are positioned for success across assortment, pricing, promotion, ecommerce, and retail activation. You will drive strategic growth plans, identify whitespace opportunities, and deliver programs that elevate our brands across the Target ecosystem.
Key Responsibilities
Business Development & Category Growth
- Lead new business opportunities and sell new brands/products into Target HQ.
- Identify whitespace, right-store, and expansion opportunities across divisions and store clusters.
- Expand existing brand portfolios by selling in new items, improving assortment, and growing category share.
Strategic Planning
- Develop, negotiate, and execute strategic joint business plans aligned to Target priorities and Peaklign client goals.
- Own portfolio, distribution, promotion, and digital visibility strategies.
- Build customer-facing presentations using category insights, trends, and competitive intelligence.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Serve as the primary contact between Target merchants and Peaklign’s internal brand teams.
- Ensure alignment across sales, marketing, supply chain, operations, finance, and retailer support teams.
- Partner with clients to translate retail strategy into actionable execution.
Pricing, Promotion & Forecasting
- Manage pricing recommendations and trade spend plans within defined frameworks.
- Drive forecast accuracy in partnership with client supply chain teams.
- Plan and execute promotional strategies across in-store and digital activations (Target.com, Roundel, TTS, seasonal programs).
Category Insights & Reporting
- Leverage syndicated data (Circana, NIQ/IRI, SPINS) and Target analytics tools to identify trends and growth drivers.
- Monitor competitive activity, category shifts, and market performance.
- Provide reporting, insights, and recommendations to internal and client teams.
Required Qualifications
- 1–3 years of customer-facing CPG experience with direct Target HQ account management required
- Proven selling, negotiating, and relationship-building experience
- Strong organizational skills with experience in category/portfolio management
- Ability to influence and communicate effectively across all levels, both internally and externally
- Skilled in presentations, forecasting, budgeting, and business planning
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook)
- Authorized to work in the U.S. (Peaklign cannot sponsor visas)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with Circana, NIQ/IRI, SPINS, Target analytics tools (e.g., Partners Online, Forecasting systems)
- Category management or insights experience
- Ability to translate data into actionable commercial plans
- Experience driving results in both emerging and mature markets
Compensation & Benefits
What We Offer
- Competitive base salary
- Performance-based bonus
- Health insurance
- 401(k) with employer match
- Paid holidays and PTO
- Professional development support
- Collaborative, flexible work environment
- Opportunities to work with high-growth and high-potential brands
Additional Information
- This is a full-time hybrid role, with preference for candidates located near Minneapolis, MN to support Target HQ.
- Travel required periodically for meetings, category reviews, and client support.