Director of Retail Sales
At Peak21, we partner with founders to build enduring consumer brands by helping them scale distribution, revenue, and operational excellence. Our portfolio includes high-growth consumer brands that have achieved product-market fit and are ready to expand beyond direct-to-consumer into retail and wholesale channels.
We are hiring a Director of Retail Sales to design and execute retail and B2B expansion strategies across Peak21 portfolio companies. This role is responsible for unlocking new growth channels by bringing high-performing brands into national and strategic retail environments through disciplined, data-driven execution.
This position is full-time, based in New York City, with on-site presence required and flexibility for travel as needed (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM EST).
What Makes This an Exciting Opportunity?
- Lead retail and wholesale expansion for multiple high-potential consumer brands
- Work directly with founders at critical moments of scale
- Own end-to end retail strategy, from go-to-market through execution
- Competitive base salary, performance-based incentives, and long-term growth opportunities
What You’ll Do
- Develop and execute retail and B2B go-to-market strategies across Peak21 portfolio companies
- Identify, target, and secure partnerships with national and strategic retail partners
- Own the full retail sales process including outreach, presentations, negotiations, and onboarding
- Build and manage sales rep networks and broker relationships as needed
- Partner closely with Marketing and Operations teams to ensure successful launches, inventory planning, and sell-through
- Negotiate commercial terms including pricing, marketing support, and logistics to ensure profitable growth
- Monitor performance metrics to identify risks, opportunities, and areas for optimization
- Provide regular reporting on monthly, quarterly, and annual sales performance
- Serve as a brand ambassador in all external retail and partner interactions
- Advise founders on retail readiness, channel strategy, and expansion sequencing
Who You Are
- You have 5+ years of progressive sales experience with increasing responsibility
- You have successfully brought consumer brands into big-box, specialty, or national retail channels
- You thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy building from zero to one
- You are relationship-driven and excel at building trust with senior retail partners
- You think in win-win terms and prioritize long-term partnerships over short-term gains
- You are analytical, data-driven, and comfortable working with spreadsheets and forecasts
- You take ownership, embrace challenges, and are comfortable with calculated risk
- You bring energy, curiosity, and a sense of humor to your work
What Success Looks Like
- Successful entry into high-quality retail and wholesale channels
- Strong sell-through performance and healthy inventory turns
- Profitable retail partnerships with clear paths to expansion
- Clear visibility into retail performance through consistent reporting and metrics
- Repeatable retail playbooks adopted across portfolio companies
- Founders view Peak21 as a strategic partner in retail growth
A Day in the Life
Projects may include:
- Pitching a national retail buyer on a new brand or product line
- Building a retail launch plan covering pricing, inventory, and marketing support
- Analyzing sell-through data to refine forecasts and reorder strategies
- Negotiating commercial terms with strategic retail partners
- Advising founders on retail expansion timing and channel prioritization
- Coordinating with operations to align inventory and fulfillment plans
What to Expect
- A high-ownership role with influence across multiple companies
- Regular interaction with founders, executives, and external partners
- Travel for retail meetings and partner visits as needed
- Fast-paced decision-making and high accountability
- Direct feedback and a results-oriented culture
Why Work at Peak21
- Impact: Drive revenue growth across multiple high-potential consumer brands
- Autonomy: Own retail strategy and execution across the portfolio
- Exposure: Work directly with founders and retail decision-makers
- Team: Ambitious, grounded operators focused on building durable businesses
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive compensation and performance incentives
- Learning and development opportunities
- Exposure to multiple high-growth consumer brands
- Collaborative, high-caliber working environment