Account Executive

Location: River Grove, IL Work Environment: On-Site Monday–Thursday Employment Type: Full-Time Compensation: Uncapped Commission with Six-Figure Earning Potential

About Our Client

Our client is a third-generation, family-owned closeout and off-price distributor that has been serving major retailers and consumer brands for more than 65 years.

The company partners with global manufacturers and brands to move excess inventory, overstock, and returns through an established network of wholesale buyers, retailers, ecommerce businesses, and distributors.

Operating from a 400,000 sq. ft. distribution facility in River Grove, IL, the organization has built a strong reputation within the wholesale industry and is continuing to invest in growing its sales team.

The Opportunity

Our client is seeking an experienced and driven Account Executive who enjoys building relationships, generating new business, and closing deals.

This is a hands-on sales role for someone who wants the best of both worlds: a consistent flow of warm inbound opportunities combined with the ability to build their own pipeline and earning potential through outbound prospecting.

You'll own the sales process from initial outreach and discovery through negotiation and close while developing long-term relationships with retailers, wholesalers, ecommerce sellers, and distributors.

This is an ideal opportunity for a competitive, entrepreneurial seller who wants significant ownership over their business and the ability to directly impact their compensation through performance.

What You'll Do

Own the Full Sales Cycle

• Manage opportunities from initial prospecting and discovery through negotiation and close.
• Respond quickly to warm inbound inquiries and convert interest into revenue opportunities.
• Conduct discovery conversations to understand customer needs, buying patterns, and potential opportunities.
• Prepare pricing, negotiate deals, and close new business.
• Maintain momentum and clear next steps throughout the sales process.

Generate New Business

• Build your own pipeline through outbound calling, email, LinkedIn, referrals, networking, and other prospecting channels.
• Identify and engage independent retailers, ecommerce businesses, wholesalers, distributors, and other potential buyers.
• Develop creative strategies for opening new accounts and expanding the company's customer network.
• Maintain consistent prospecting activity while effectively balancing inbound opportunities.

Build & Grow Customer Relationships

• Develop strong, long-term relationships with customers and become a trusted resource for their inventory needs.
• Manage an ongoing book of business while identifying opportunities for repeat purchases and account expansion.
• Stay close to customers to understand changing inventory needs and uncover new buying opportunities.
• Build relationships that drive recurring revenue rather than focusing exclusively on one-time transactions.

Present & Sell Inventory

• Conduct virtual and in-person showroom presentations showcasing available inventory and buying opportunities.
• Match customers with inventory based on their business model, customer base, and purchasing needs.
• Communicate value clearly and confidently throughout the sales process.
• Use a consultative approach to identify opportunities that create value for both the customer and the business.

Manage Your Pipeline

• Maintain accurate CRM records, opportunity stages, sales activity, and next steps.
• Build and manage a healthy pipeline of qualified opportunities.
• Consistently advance opportunities through the sales process.
• Maintain strong forecasting and follow-up discipline.
• Collaborate closely with operations and leadership to ensure an excellent customer experience from initial conversation through fulfillment.

What We're Looking For

• 2–5+ years of experience in Account Executive, Business Development, Inside Sales, or another B2B sales role.
• Proven success generating new business and closing deals.
• Strong outbound prospecting experience across phone, email, LinkedIn, and other channels.
• Ability to manage the sales process from initial conversation through close.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Highly organized with strong pipeline and follow-up discipline.
• Experience using a CRM to manage opportunities and sales activity.
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.
• Self-motivated, competitive, and driven to exceed goals.
• Ability to work on-site in River Grove, IL Monday through Thursday.

Bonus Points

• Experience within wholesale, distribution, retail, ecommerce, logistics, or consumer products.
• Experience selling a tangible or physical product.
• Existing understanding of wholesale buying, inventory, closeouts, or distribution.
• Experience building and managing a recurring book of business.
• Strong cold-calling background and comfort generating opportunities from scratch.
• Experience selling to retailers, distributors, ecommerce businesses, or wholesale buyers.

How You'll Be Measured

Success in this role is driven by commercial results and consistent sales execution, including:

• New revenue generated.
• Deals closed.
• New accounts opened.
• Qualified pipeline created.
• Repeat purchases and customer retention.
• Growth within existing accounts.
• Outbound prospecting and sales activity.
• Pipeline management and CRM accuracy.

Growth Opportunity

Our client has a strong track record of developing and promoting high-performing sales professionals.

As you succeed, you'll have the opportunity to grow your book of business, take ownership of larger and more strategic accounts, and significantly increase your earning potential.

With an uncapped commission structure, top-performing Account Executives have the ability to earn well into six figures by building strong, long-term customer relationships.

Why This Opportunity

This role combines the stability of an established, successful business with the autonomy and entrepreneurial environment of a smaller organization.

You'll benefit from:

• An established company with more than 65 years of industry experience.
• Consistent inbound lead flow combined with the ability to build your own pipeline.
• Significant ownership over the full sales process.
• Direct access to company and sales leadership.
• An entrepreneurial and highly collaborative sales environment.
• The opportunity to build a long-term book of business.
• Uncapped earning potential.
• A clear path for continued career and income growth.

For a sales professional who enjoys prospecting, building relationships, negotiating, and closing business, this is an opportunity to take meaningful ownership of your results while joining an established organization that is continuing to grow.