OVERVIEW

This is a relationship-driven, full-cycle sales role focused on managing and growing client accounts for a leader in basic and decorative plastic planters. You will be provided with an existing client portfolio that has room for growth, and you will be expected to solicit new business to keep expanding it. Since 2003, CTI has designed, manufactured, and wholesaled planters for more than 400 greenhouses across North America and the UK, along with national retailers such as Home Depot, Walmart, Costco, Lowe’s, Loblaw Companies, Kroger, Canadian Tire, and Menards, as well as independent garden centres and the indoor fashion and outdoor decor markets.

You will own the entire sales cycle through the customer relationship management system, from developing account strategy with the Senior Team, to preparing client proposals and quotations, to collaborating with the design and costing teams and following up with clients to close the final sale. The role calls for a talented, enthusiastic, and proactive Account Manager who shines on the phone and by email, is comfortable on video, loves a challenge, and is willing to travel within North America to visit clients. No previous horticultural or botanical experience is necessary. Compensation combines a base salary with commission on gross sales, so your earnings grow as your accounts grow. Our goal is to revolutionize the industry one pot at a time, and we strongly believe that collaboration is the key to success. Join us!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Account Management and Portfolio Growth

- Manage an existing portfolio of client accounts within North America and worldwide, serving as the primary point of contact for each client.
- Build close, trusted relationships with customers and understand their programs, timelines, and priorities.
- Identify opportunities to grow existing accounts and expand the range of products each client carries.
- Follow up consistently with clients to keep projects moving and to ensure commitments are met.

New Business Development

- Prospect and develop new clients to continue growing the business beyond the existing portfolio.
- Research and approach potential customers across the greenhouse, national retail, independent garden centre, indoor fashion, and outdoor decor markets.
- Introduce prospective clients to the CTI product range and convert new opportunities into active accounts.

Sales Cycle Ownership and Customer Relationship Management

- Take ownership of the entire sales cycle through the customer relationship management system, from first contact through to the final sale.
- Develop account and sales strategy in partnership with the Senior Team.
- Prepare clear, accurate client proposals and quotations.
- Keep account activity, opportunities, and follow-ups current in the customer relationship management system so that every stage of the cycle is visible and well documented.

Retail and Grower Programs

- Connect with key retail business executives and work collectively on national or regional retail and grower programs.
- Coordinate between retailers and growers so that programs are clearly defined, well communicated, and delivered as agreed.
- Represent CTI professionally with senior decision makers at some of the largest retailers in North America.

Negotiation and Client Relationships





- Negotiate contracts and close agreements while creating long-lasting client relationships.
- Balance client expectations with commercial viability to reach agreements that work for both the customer and CTI.
- Maintain composure and professionalism in high-pressure situations and during peak seasonal periods.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Collaborate with the design team to translate client needs into product concepts and customized solutions.
- Work with the costing team to ensure quotations are accurate and competitive.
- Maintain a collaborative and supportive attitude with colleagues across the business.

Client Engagement and Travel

- Interact with customers through phone calls, emails, virtual meetings via video, trade show events, and in-person meetings.
- Travel within North America to visit clients and strengthen relationships.
- Work extended hours when required to properly serve clients during seasonal peaks.

Ownership, Growth Mindset, and Continuous Improvement

- Demonstrate ownership and accountability for your portfolio and your results.
- Stay coachable, embracing challenges and the opportunity to grow through overcoming them.
- Apply strategic vision and analytical skills to plan account growth and prioritize opportunities.

REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

- Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in sales, customer service, or customer relationship management, reflecting increasing levels of responsibility.
- College diploma and/or university degree in business, marketing, project management, or a related discipline is an asset.

Technical and Software Skills

- Working knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and MS Outlook.
- Proficiency with technology, paired with excellent typing skills, is an asset.
- Comfort managing the full sales cycle within a customer relationship management system.

Communication and Client Engagement

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Fluent English is required.
- Ability to interact confidently with customers by phone, by email, by video, at trade shows, and in person.
- Ability to create close and trusted relationships with customers and colleagues.

Organizational, Analytical, and Work Style Skills

- Well organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
- Strategic vision and analytical skills.
- Motivated and ambitious, always keeping composure in high-stress situations.

Collaboration and Mindset

- Team player who always maintains a collaborative and supportive attitude.
- Learning is like air and water to you. You are coachable and embrace both challenges and the opportunity to grow through overcoming them.
- Enthusiastic and proactive, with energy and drive for success.

Travel and Work Eligibility

- Valid Canadian passport or American visa is mandatory.
- Valid driver’s licence is mandatory.




- Must be legally authorized to work in Canada.
- Willingness to travel within North America to visit clients.
- Able to work on site at the CTI Living Head Office, Monday to Friday.

Preferred Background and Additional Expectations

- A general to advanced understanding of indoor and outdoor fashion, patio, and interior trends is an asset.
- Spanish or French is an asset but not mandatory. Other languages are a bonus.
- No previous horticultural or botanical experience is necessary.

Success Indicators

- The existing client portfolio is retained and grows year over year.
- Recent clients are prospected, developed, and converted into active accounts.
- Proposals and quotations are accurate, delivered on time, and aligned with design and costing input.
- The sales cycle is tracked in the customer relationship management system from strategy through to the final sale.
- Clients and colleagues describe the relationship as close, trusted, and responsive.

BENEFITS

- Benefits package
- Casual dress code
- Company events
- Growth opportunities within your role
- Supportive, smaller-sized teams
- Free on-site parking
- Easy access via TTC
- Paid time off
- Free products
- Work with plants
- Bonus pay

ABOUT CTI: CTi Living is a manufacturer and supplier of indoor/outdoor containers for the floral and home decor markets. They showcase a broad range of containers for their customers - from simple, turnkey designs to unique, custom-tailored programs. At the heart of their business, they are a team driven by excellence in design, production quality and customer service. Their in-house creative enables them to achieve container designs that are pleasing to the eye, functional, and colourful, thereby attracting customers. Their manufacturing facility in Nanjing, China, enables them to turn concepts into reality, sporting terrific colours and finishes to enhance seasonal decor and special occasions alike in high volume. Their dedicated service team ensures a positive customer experience from the initial call through order delivery and beyond. They are suppliers of choice to some of the largest retailers in the world.

SALARY: $60,000 to $75,000, plus commission of 0.5% of gross sales. For example, $2 million in sales earns $10,000 in commission.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE: 1

AI STATEMENT: Artificial intelligence (AI) is not used in reviewing applications for this role. Your application is reviewed by our team of real humans who make all hiring decisions.

HOURS: This is a Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm role, on site at the CTI Living Head Office. This is primarily an in-person role, and a minor amount of work can be done remotely when it makes sense. Overtime and travel are inherent to the position and, as such, you may have to work extended hours to properly serve clients seasonally.

For more information, see: https://www.nafor.com/ctiliving

CTI-Centrade embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or family status. If you require disability-

📌 Account Manager - Consumer Products - Plant Pots (Toronto)
🏢 NAFOR
📍 Toronto