VF International is looking for an exceptional Sales Manager to join our Smartwool EMEA team based in Stabio, Switzerland.
VF is one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies connecting people to the lifestyles, activities and experiences they cherish through our family of iconic brands such as Vans®, The North Face® and Timberland®. At the heart of our journey lies our company-wide purpose: We power movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and our planet. This is our purpose. It’s the reason we come to work every day. It’s a commitment shared by our global associates across all brands. Our purpose unites us and leads us to pursue our goals, together. This is our calling.
Let’s Talk about the Role
You, as a Sales Manager, will be responsible for achieving all country goals, ensuring that all seasonal and yearly objectives are met and in-line with the pan European sales and marketing strategy and executed locally.
How You Will Make a Difference
You will achieve this by:
Strategic planning (15%):
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Work with Smartwool Brand & Marketing Director to craft the EMEA 1-5 year strategic business plans for all Markets and Strategic Key Accounts based on the EMEA strategic priorities, making sure all countries are aware and aligned with the plans in order to support them.
Manage sales (55%):
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Leading sales in WHS channel EMEA in cooperation with agents and distributors
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Developing and implementing an integrated GTM sales strategy for EMEA to drive a sustainable and profitable long-term business.
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Attending key seasonal product and marketing meetings in the U.S.
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Leading EMEA sales team in preparation of the Sales meeting and the end-to-end launch planning/budgeting driving all communication pertaining to any sales or legal process and policy updates.
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Developing segmentation strategy with Smartwool EMEA lead and implement it across all regions.
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Working with Smartwool EMEA lead to develop the strategy for improving margins and OI.
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Ensuring and managing efficiently the sell in preparation including sales tools, sample distribution, G2N management and re-order management end to end process.
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Building and coordinating sales programs: re-order drives, TBD and MO initiatives by channel. Monitoring countries to ensure adherence to policies.
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Providing market and product feedback and needs to product team.
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Samples management for all direct countries, including defining sample set.
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Cancelation management: responsible for reporting to Smartwool lead, Ops and Finance.
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Inventory management: manages internal and external business requirements in phase with our Wholesales goals and company policies (preseason and in season go-to person). Managing the Never Out of Stock, Best Sellers.
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Ensuring the team stays on track and can fully analyze performance and early identification of gaps to plan.
Forecasting and targeting (10%):
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Developing Smartwool EMEA’s seasonal sales targets/forecasts based on fiscal year revenue budget and country feedback (bottom up /down approach, working in conjunction with Smartwool EMEA lead.
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Working with finance, marketing, sales operations and Smartwool EMEA lead on:
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Targeting: develop and deliver the overall seasonal targets by country, channel, strategic accounts and by category meeting financial budgets.
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Forecasting: put in place forecasts by season, category, product, channel, country, agents, distributors and Key Accounts
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Tracking monthly shipping targets through weekly conference calls with Operations, customers service and country managers (develop an effective process that provides accountability and accuracy).
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Supporting Smartwool EMEA lead at the Sales and Operation planning meetings (S&OP) and establishing with the S & OP team the targets and action plans to deliver reorder, close outs and cancelation targets.
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Coaching and leading (20%):
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Managing two country-specific sales employees.
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Establishing performance & development plans, enabling their growth within the company, coach and mentor, establishing metrics for evaluating their success and clearly communicate.
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Establishing sales targets and plan of action for them to achieve.
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Ensuring excellent, consistent communications.
Skills for Success
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Passion for the brand and the category it represents.
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4+ years relevant and progressive experience in Sales management and team management.
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Fluent in English, any additional foreign languages would be considered as a plus.
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Proactive and leading by example approach.
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Market and consumer strong know-how.
What’s in it For You
We’re in the business of unleashing human potential, driven by the ideas, energy and commitment of our people. That’s why we offer comprehensive benefits that encourage mental, physical and financial well-being for all VF associates. When it comes to benefits, we’re the total package.
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A supportive feedback-based culture where respect and integrity guide us in what we do
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An inclusive international environment where people of diverse backgrounds, lifestyles and nationalities love working together
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Be part of an iconic lifestyle brand in a multi brand, multi countries organization
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On site gym offering health and well-being initiatives
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A discount card with 50% on all VF brands
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Break out areas offering complimentary hot drinks
Free to Be, Inclusion & Diversity
As a purpose-led, performance driven company, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness and authenticity. We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that celebrates the diversity of our associates, allowing them to bring their authentic selves to work every day.
As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, VF is committed to support disadvantaged groups whilst providing equal opportunities for both VF associates and applicants alike.
If you like what you have read and want to join our team then we would like to hear from you!