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