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Strategic Key Account Manager, Apparel

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New Balance

27d ago

  • Job
    Full-time
    Senior Level
  • Sales & Business Development
    Marketing
  • Düsseldorf

AI generated summary

  • You need a degree in Sports or Fashion, key account management experience in sport or fashion, strong communication skills, brand passion, and agility in fast-paced environments.
  • You will develop apparel strategies, analyze market trends, collaborate with teams, manage forecasts, engage key accounts, and optimize stock levels for growth and alignment with consumer demand.

Requirements

  • * Education: Degree in Sports, Fashion, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
  • * Experience: Proven experience within key account management, with a significant level of experience, particularly in sport or fashion sectors.
  • * Skills: Strong communication and negotiation abilities; team player mindset; knowledge of local and regional market dynamics.
  • * Brand Affinity: Passion for the New Balance brand and products.
  • * Agility: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and adapt to agile working methods.

Responsibilities

  • Strategic Leadership: Develop, implement, and evolve the Apparel strategy across accounts in line with volume goals, working with GBU Sales Managers and Country Manager.
  • Market Expertise: Cultivate a deep understanding of the European landscape, analysing competitor activities, product trends, and market variations.
  • Category Development: Create specific strategies for Zalando, Snipes, and other key accounts, ensuring alignment with consumer demand, growth targets, and cross-functional goals.
  • Collaboration: Work with EMEA Product and Channel Merchandise teams to deliver in-line and SMU product assortments that meet market needs.
  • Stakeholder Alignment: Regularly share Apparel strategy updates with internal teams, providing insights and securing cross-functional alignment.
  • Forecasting & Order Management: Develop precise forecasts and collaborate on order management to minimize cancellations and optimize replenishment.
  • Sales Team Development: Equip the sales team with training to enhance their understanding of the apparel category and drive impactful execution.
  • Data-Driven Analysis: Track weekly sell-through data and proactively manage stock levels to prevent gaps and reduce excess inventory.
  • Strategic Planning: Collaborate on forecasting efforts and take action on monthly and seasonal product performance.
  • Replenishment & Optimization: Continuously assess sales data to refine replenishment strategies, ensuring in-demand items are well-stocked.
  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Act as the main advocate for the Apparel category, fostering collaboration across EMEA & Global teams.
  • Account Engagement: Maintain strong relationships with key accounts through regular meetings and provide feedback on market trends and competitor products.
  • Internal & External Alignment: Engage with internal stakeholders and support external decision-makers with insights into strategic account opportunities.
  • Operational Excellence: Utilize Office systems and adhere to New Balance policies to maintain smooth order processes and data accuracy.
  • Strategic Budgeting: Collaborate with the Trade Marketing Managers to develop tailored activities with key accounts.

FAQs

What is the primary focus of the Strategic Key Account Manager, Apparel role?

The primary focus is to develop and drive the apparel strategy across key accounts, especially in Germany, Benelux, and Austria, aiming to unlock and maximize New Balance’s potential in the apparel category.

What key accounts will the Strategic Key Account Manager be working with?

The Strategic Key Account Manager will be working closely with European strategic key accounts like Zalando and Snipes, among others.

What qualifications are required for this position?

A degree in Sports, Fashion, or a related field, along with proven experience in key account management, particularly in the sport or fashion sectors, is required.

What skills are essential for the Strategic Key Account Manager role?

Essential skills include strong communication and negotiation abilities, a team player mindset, and knowledge of local and regional market dynamics.

Is previous experience in the sport or fashion industry preferred for this role?

Yes, significant experience within key account management in the sport or fashion sectors is preferred.

How does the role contribute to inventory management?

The role involves tracking weekly sell-through data, managing stock levels, and refining replenishment strategies to ensure in-demand items are well-stocked.

What kind of collaboration is expected in this role?

The Strategic Key Account Manager will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including EMEA Product and Channel Merchandise teams, to ensure that the apparel strategy is cohesive and responsive to market needs.

What is expectations for stakeholder engagement in this role?

Regularly sharing apparel strategy updates with internal teams and maintaining strong relationships with key accounts is a critical requirement to provide insights and secure cross-functional alignment.

What type of environment is this role set in?

This role thrives in a fast-paced environment and requires adaptability to agile working methods.

Is there a commitment to diversity and inclusion within New Balance?

Yes, New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity and supports a culture of diversity and inclusion for all employees.

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New Balance

Independent since 1906, we empower people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change around the world.

Manufacturing & Electronics
Industry
5001-10,000
Employees
1906
Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

In 1906, New Balance began as a humble one-man operation founded on the belief that “we were born to move,” and has since grown into an international corporation, selling footwear and apparel in over 120 countries and employing over 8,000 associates worldwide. Our mission has always been to support the performance of athletes, and with an unparalleled focus on quality and craftsmanship, we’ve come to set the standard for comfort and fit in an industry all too often driven by hype. We’re incredibly proud of our history and how far we’ve come, but companies don’t thrive for over a century by being content. Whether it’s setting a new style trend, retooling our manufacturing process, or building a new state-of-the-art headquarters, we pursue innovation with a spirit of fearless independence. As the only privately held major footwear company in the world, we’re free to do things our way, pushing limits and testing boundaries as we continually reimagine what could be. After all, the status quo isn’t static. But doing things our way wouldn’t mean much if we weren’t also doing them the right way. We invest in our associates as they invest in us, and as we move forward, we make a point of giving back, supporting communities around us through ambitious philanthropic efforts and involvement programs. We are a company that cares, and our culture is one of integrity and teamwork where together we become greater than the sum of our parts.