Associate Retail Account Manager, Target

About Bluebird

The Bluebird Group is an omnichannel commerce partner helping brands grow across every retail and digital channel.

Job Summary

We are looking for an Associate Retail Account Manager to support a portfolio of Target supplier accounts. This role focuses on driving operational execution, forecasting accuracy, inventory management, and business performance, acting as a key connection point between clients, Target, and internal teams. The ideal candidate is analytical, proactive, and comfortable managing multiple priorities while supporting client objectives and Target requirements. This role is designed for individuals looking to build expertise in retail and account management, with opportunities for growth into a Retail Account Manager role.

This position is based out of our Minneapolis office and requires onsite presence on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Key Responsibilities

Account Management & Client Support

• Serve as a key point of contact for clients, Target teams, and internal stakeholders.
• Build strong working relationships with vendor operations, merchandise planning teams, and internal partners.
• Support day-to-day account management activities for Target supplier accounts.
• Maintain accurate records related to program agreements, pricing, product information, order status, planning activities, and vendor setup.
• Educate clients on Target processes, requirements, and best practices, including planograms, advertising programs, shipping requirements, and GSN setup.

Forecasting, Planning & Inventory Management

• Develop and manage demand forecasts to support inventory flow and business performance.
• Monitor inventory positions and in-stock levels, proactively identifying risks and recommending solutions.
• Analyze sales trends, replenishment needs, and forecast performance to support client and retailer objectives.
• Partner with clients and internal teams to improve forecasting accuracy and inventory health.
• Support planning for product launches, promotional events, and seasonal programs.

Supply Chain & Operational Execution

• Drive initiatives that improve on-time and in-full delivery performance to Target.
• Monitor customer purchase orders and support issue resolution.
• Identify and resolve operational challenges impacting vendor performance, inventory flow, or account execution.
• Partner with suppliers, Target teams, and internal stakeholders to ensure smooth execution across account activities.
• Support continuous improvement efforts that enhance operational performance and service levels.

Performance Analytics & Business Insights

• Analyze vendor performance metrics and identify trends, risks, and growth opportunities.
• Conduct root cause analysis to resolve operational and performance challenges.
• Provide regular sell-through reporting, performance analytics, and actionable recommendations to clients.
• Translate data into insights that support business decisions and account growth.
• Monitor key business metrics and communicate performance updates to stakeholders.

Item & Program Management

• Create, maintain, and update items within Target systems.
• Support new item launches and ongoing item maintenance activities.
• Ensure item information, pricing, attributes, and related documentation remain accurate and current.
• Assist with vendor onboarding and setup activities.
• Support retailer initiatives and program execution across assigned accounts.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with sales, operations, supply chain, finance, and analytics teams to support account objectives.
• Coordinate communication and information sharing across stakeholders.
• Support special projects and business initiatives.
• Contribute to a collaborative, client-focused team environment.

Requirements & Tech Stack

Experience

• Experience working with Target on the retailer or supplier side.
• Experience in account management, retail operations, supply chain, forecasting, analytics, or related fields.
• Experience managing multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Experience supporting consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands preferred.
• Experience with demand planning and forecasting preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret data, identify opportunities, and make recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including sorting/filtering data, pivot tables, and VLOOKUPs.
• Working knowledge of Target systems, processes, and operational requirements preferred.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.