Zoë Lankford
Dallas
Summary
Sales professional with proven track record in managing and growing national accounts. Known for strategic approach to business development and focus on achieving tangible results. Highly reliable team player, adaptable to changing market conditions, and skilled in negotiation and client relationship management.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
National Accounts Sales Manager
The Portico Collection
Dallas, TX
01.2024 - Current
- Represent 70+ brands within the wholesale channel to 15+ national account retailers through a multi-line home and gift agency out of the Dallas Market Center.
- Independently manage a portfolio of 15+ national accounts, overseeing the full sales cycle, coordinating and expediting purchase orders, and ensuring accurate and timely delivery through proactive PO monitoring.
- Coordinate and lead appointments with buyers to present new products for the upcoming season based on projected trends, retailer sales data and market response.
- Collaborate with vendors on custom, production, and private label opportunities to fulfill unique customer needs and requests.
- Curate assortments and product placement tailored to multi-chain retailers based on target market, demographic, season and retail category.
- Create and implement assortments for customers dropship programs to support B2C efforts.
- Partner with teams across the showroom to coordinate and execute the setup of a 25,000 sq. ft. showroom in preparation for market events.
- Negotiate pricing with brand partners and customers to guarantee profitability for all business channels.
- Prepare customer forms and item setup sheets to ensure the delivery of accurate and up-to-date information.
- Retain compliance knowledge for various customers to avoid vendor chargebacks while educating vendors on guidelines to ensure shipping requirements are met.
- Research prospective national retailers to expand account list while maintaining strong relationships to grow current business.
- Foster and sustain strong client relationships through consistent and strategic communication, driving a significant contribution to grow sales year over year
- Achieved a 27% year-over-year increase in sales for 2024, positioning the company for sustained growth with an anticipated 97% year-over-year rise in 2025.
- Trained and mentored new National Accounts Sales Coordinators to support sales operations for 70+ vendors and national accounts, including handling SPEC sheets, sample coordination, account documentation, and high-level client communication, ensuring continuity of service and maintaining key account satisfaction.
National Accounts Sales Coordinator
The Portico Collection
Dallas, TX
04.2021 - 12.2023
- Supported sales manager on selling products from 70+ vendors to our largest and most prestigious national accounts through in-person and virtual appointments, facilitating SPEC sheets, sample request coordination and completing account forms.
- Communicated in a timely manner to provide buyers all necessary and accurate information to avoid purchase order delays.
- Maintained constant communication between buyers and vendors to guarantee compliance satisfaction.
- Played a key role in helping Portico win, ‘Retail Partner of the Year', two years in a row, as voted by one of our largest $1+M accounts, where I served as the account lead.
- Grew one of our now largest customers by 275%, turning it into a million dollar account my first year.
- Problem solved when POs experienced delays, shortages, etc., to avoid cancellations.
- Coordinated off-site customer conferences which included display purchase, vendor product shipments, product merchandising, sale of booth, personnel, etc.
Lead Inspector of Rooms Division
Edelweiss Lodge and Resort, U.S. Department of Defense
Garmisch, Germany
12.2018 - 10.2020
- Responsible for 25+ hotel employees and the management of the hotel rooms division.
- Produced employee Work Schedules and assigned House Keeping tasks for room attendants using OPERA Property Management Systems (PMS) software.
- Conducted daily inspections of 40+ rooms ensuring hotel standards of cleanliness, serviceability, and maintenance were met.
- Provided and managed new employee computer software training as per Hotel and U.S Department of Defense (DoD) Information Technology (IT) requirements.
- Completed man-hour calculation reviews of employee timesheets ensuring payroll accuracy.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Apparel Merchandising, Design and Textiles
Washington State University
Pullman, WA05-2018
Skills
- Adobe Creative Suite proficiency
- Experienced in Microsoft Office Suite applications
- MarketTime
- Customer relationship development
- Account management
- Team collaboration
- Strong organizational abilities
- Effective communication
- Adaptability and flexibility
Timeline
National Accounts Sales Manager
The Portico Collection
01.2024 - Current
National Accounts Sales Coordinator
The Portico Collection
04.2021 - 12.2023
Lead Inspector of Rooms Division
Edelweiss Lodge and Resort, U.S. Department of Defense
12.2018 - 10.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Apparel Merchandising, Design and Textiles
Washington State University
Internship
Summer 2017
The Buckle, Sales and Management Intern
Dallas, TX
- Supervised the shoe and social media department.
- Sold merchandise in a competitive retail environment.
- Consistently communicated with my team members emphasizing daily goals and tasks.