Design Trade Manager

Job Details

Description

Design Trade Manager will be a key driver of Sunbrella’s growth and influence within the design trade. Reporting to the Senior Director, Design Trade Sales & Marketing this new role is responsible for expanding brand preference and sales through direct engagement with interior designers, design firms, and trade partners.

The Design Trade Manager will own relationships in priority markets, deliver impactful presentations, and represent Sunbrella at key industry events and activations. This role will execute a tailored marketing engagement plan and trade program designed to increase specification and use of Sunbrella fabrics, finished products, and products made with Sunbrella textiles, both directly and through appropriate partners (e.g., Sunbrella fabrics on finished furniture). S/he will collaborate with both internal teams (e.g., Design, Sales, Business Unit Marketing) and external partners (e.g., agencies, manufacturers, and retailers) to coordinate—and at times lead—their efforts to make Sunbrella offerings more accessible and desirable to designers.

This role is ideal for a sales and marketing professional with a strong understanding of the design trade industry and a passion for home décor, trends and aesthetics who excels at building deep, lasting relationships with interior designers and design firms—the primary focus being within the residential market. You will be a key team member, responsible for providing exceptional service, driving sales, and representing our brand with style and expertise.

This role is ideally located at our corporate headquarters or able to work from that location regularly (~50% of the time). In addition, travel to other markets for designer interactions, insights, and events is also anticipated.

• This is a hybrid role, with 3 days in the office and 2 days working from home. Our corporate office is in Burlington, NC***

Responsibilities

• Trade program support and growth:
• Act as a key ambassador and manager of the Sunbrella Trade Program, increasing designer engagement and purchases/usage.
• Manage vetting new designer applicants, ensure credentials are properly validated and stored.

• Nurture the designers experience with the program, ensuring they understand the value and resources available.
• Receive and socialize feedback to evolve program benefits, engagement strategies, UI/UX to ensure meaningful increase in trade accounts and conversions year over year.
• Collaborate with brand, digital, and web team to design and maintain an engaging web/digital experience for the design trade

• Designer Relationship Management
• Build and maintain strong, senior-level relationships with interior designers, design firms, and key influencers in the design space in key markets.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to designers, helping them specify and integrate Sunbrella fabrics and products across projects.
• Deliver high-impact sales presentations and product knowledge sessions tailored to design firms’ needs – both in client locations and Sunbrella locations
• Identify design industry prospects, use CRM systems to maintain database of contacts, execute outreach to influence use/purchases.
• Market Development & Representation
• Represent Sunbrella at major design industry events, as well as brand-specific activations, serving as a visible and credible voice for the brand.
• Partner cross-functionally with furnishing business unit to appropriately showcase Sunbrella activities across furniture manufacturers, retailers, jobbers, and brand collaborations.
• Identify partnership opportunities with designers for collections, campaigns, or promotional initiatives.
• Execute designer campaigns leveraging media partners and owned touchpoints
• Develop and execute designer ‘loyalty program’ to measure the value of designers’ specifying/buying Sunbrella fabric-products through partners and reward designers for those selections.

• Market intelligence and results tracking
• Gather market intelligence on designer needs, competitor programs, and industry trends, providing actionable insights to leadership for product development, marketing strategies and service enhancements.
• Contribute to sales growth strategies by identifying high-potential markets, firms, and segments for deeper engagement.
• Track results and provide input on metrics for measuring growth and impact.
• Stay current on trends in interior design, trade programs, and competitor activity to identify new opportunities for growth
  

Education And Experience

Education

• BA in business, marketing, interior design, or related field
• At least 5 years of progressive marketing, sales, or business development, ideally in textiles, furnishings, home décor or design-related industries.
• Strong existing network within the design and architecture community is highly valued.
• Self-motivated and strategic hunter mentality, with strong organizational and the ability to work independently.
• Strong understanding of the interior design industry, including its workflows and purchasing behaviors
• Experience executing plans to engage designers through media, events, showrooms, and digital strongly preferred
• Experience with brand partnerships and collaborations, both establishing & maintaining relationships is highly valued.
• Demonstrated experience using robust mix of marketing touchpoints to drive growth
• Experience in leading/working with cross-functional teams
• Track record of managing resources and timelines for many projects at once, including successfully managing projects from concept through execution

Key Skills

Communication

• Excellent communication, presentation and relationship-building skills, as well as strong attention to detail
• A personable, polished, and collaborative presence that earns internal and external trust and inspires confidence.
• Proven ability to collaborate and influence across multiple levels of an organization as well as external partners, including designers
• Fluent in English

Execution

• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Tenacious, results-driven who builds relationships and sees initiatives through execution
• Ability to think creatively, generate options, build consensus, and execute
• Ability to work independently to identify and surface growth opportunities and develop plans to capture growth.
• Proficient skillset in Microsoft Office including Teams, Excel and PowerPoint and CRM platforms.

Industry Understanding

• Genuine passion for design, interiors, and craftsmanship as well as an excellent design sensibility, understanding of aesthetics, and brand stewardship

Why Glen Raven:  

At Glen Raven, we embrace the strength that comes from a diverse and inclusive mindset. Joining our team means becoming an integral part of a dedicated group, weaving connections across the globe, and representing trusted textile brands such as Sunbrella.  Every day, we strive for and welcome diverse perspectives, solutions-driven ideas and innovative opportunities for continued growth throughout the company. We work toward a shared success while lifting each other up on the job and in our communities. Together, we keep the world spinning. Join our team. Connect people and drive innovation beyond the boundaries of Glen Raven. 

What you can expect from working at Glen Raven.  

• Benefits – Your total well-being is important. In addition to competitive health coverage, short- and long-term disability insurance, vision, dental and plan choices, we also offer telehealth visits or on-site health clinics at many locations. We also have a comprehensive wellness program that includes wellness events, health education, and mental health resources. We offer competitive PTO and holiday schedules to allow for personal time.  
• Future Financial security – No matter where you are in your career, at some point, everyone winds down. We’ll help you make it happen when you’re ready to retire. We offer both a company funded pension and matching 401(k) – our investment in you and your complete future.  
• Perks – From on-site fitness centers or discounted gym memberships to catered associate events, many perks come with the job. We celebrate and reward you for hard work any chance we can.  
• Inclusion – We have teams of problem solvers with diverse voices. Every day, we get after it to innovate and find solutions for a better tomorrow – at home and around the world. 
• Fair pay – Direct compensation that is fair and competitive with the market. Your success is our success. 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Glen Raven provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [email protected] & 336-227-6211.