Retail Development Manager Jobs in Georgia (NOW HIRING)

About TAAC Group & Smard Art

TAAC Group is a multi-brand holding company on a deliberate path to $100M in group revenue by 2030. Our anchor brand, Smard Art, the largest Black art retailer in the world, is growing at triple-digit rates year-over-year with a dominant presence in major retail chains across North America.

We have a proven product. We have infrastructure across the U.S. and Canada. We have an anchor wholesale account generating $1M+ annually. Now we are building the team that takes wholesale to the next level, and this hire is the tip of that spear.

Role Summary

The manager, Wholesale Business Development owns all outbound new business development in wholesale, end to end. You will report directly to the VP of Logistics & Wholesale, and your mandate is singular: open new retail doors. The scope of the business is new business onlyUS & Canada. Channels are off-price, mass, specialty, and chain retail.

This is not an account management role. You will not be stewarding existing relationships. Every day you come to work, you are identifying, prospecting, pitching, and closing net-new retail buyers. The existing accounts are handled. Your job is to build what comes next. The right candidate is a self-motivated hunter who bets on their own ability to close.

What You Will Own

Pipeline & Prospecting

• Build and manage an active pipeline of 15 to 25 target retail accounts at any given time across off-price, mass, specialty, and chain retail channels.
• Lead all outbound buyer outreach: cold contact, warm referrals, trade show prospecting, and buyer network cultivation.
• Prioritize target account lists in partnership with the VP of Logistics & Wholesale based on channel fit, margin architecture, and strategic sequencing.
• Maintain clean, disciplined pipeline tracking with weekly stage reporting.

Pitching & Closing

• Own the full sales cycle from first contact through to signed purchase order: deck preparation, sample coordination, buyer meetings, terms negotiation, and onboarding handoff.
• Develop and refine pitch materials, line sheets, sell-in decks, and product presentations tailored to each buyer and channel.
• Negotiate pricing, MOQs, lead times, and terms in alignment with margin and operational guidelines set by the VP.
• Close accounts with a structured onboarding handoff to the VP and operations team once the relationship is established.

Market & Channel Development

• Represent Smard Art and Art Factree at trade shows, market weeks, and retail industry events relevant to target channels.
• Develop deep familiarity with off-price and specialty retail buying cycles, open-to-buy windows, and seasonal submission timelines.
• Partner with the product and creative teams to align SKU selection and product positioning to each retailer's customer profile and price architecture.
• Identify white-label, exclusive program, and private label opportunities with target retail partners.

Reporting & Strategy

• Deliver weekly pipeline updates and monthly new business reports to the VP of Logistics & Wholesale.
• Provide market intelligence on competitive product placement, buyer feedback, and emerging retail opportunities.
• Contribute to annual wholesale strategy planning, including channel prioritization, pricing architecture, and new market entry.

What We Are Looking For

You Must Have

• 3 to 5+ years in wholesale sales, retail account development, or a buyer-facing role with direct experience opening new retail accounts from scratch.
• A verifiable track record of closing net-new wholesale doors with named major retailers. You will be asked about this in your cover letter and interview.
• Strong working knowledge of retail buying mechanics, including margin structures, MOQs, planograms, open-to-buy, and retailer compliance requirements.
• Experience managing a full sales pipeline from cold prospecting through to close, not just post-close relationship maintenance.
• High self-motivation and comfort operating in a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment where the playbook is still being written.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Atlanta, GA.

You Will Stand Out If You Have

• Existing buyer relationships at Burlington, Ross, Citi Trends, Target, Michaels, or comparable retailers. A warm Rolodex is a significant advantage.
• Experience selling art, home dcor, gifts, wall art, or lifestyle products to retail.
• Prior experience selling into or working within TJX Companies (HomeGoods, Marshalls, Winners, TK Maxx).
• Background at a culturally led or Black-owned brand that successfully broke into mainstream retail.
• Cross-border sales experience across the U.S. and Canada.

What Success Looks Like

• 30 Days: Fully onboarded with deep familiarity of the product catalogue, existing accounts, and target channel strategy, with an initial pipeline of 10+ target accounts identified.
• 90 Days: Actively managing a pipeline of 15 to 25 accounts, with first buyer meetings booked and at least two pitches in progress.
• 6 Months: Minimum of one new retail account closed and progressing through onboarding, supported by a pipeline demonstrating clear second wave opportunities.
• 12 Months: Two to three new accounts generating purchase orders, with commission earnings reflecting a meaningful contribution to new revenue growth.

Compensation

• Base salary
• Commission on new business closed
• Performance Bonus

How to Apply

Submit your resume and a cover letter that answers one question:

"What is the largest retail account you have personally opened from zero, and how did you do it?"

Note: Applications that do not answer this question will not be reviewed.