Who We Are:
Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.
The Key Account Manager position is pivotal in cultivating long-term, sustainable relationships and strategic growth plans with New Balance's key accounts. You will be responsible for developing long term sustainable relationships across our key accounts. Driving profitability and sustainable market share growth within the footwear and apparel sector. Ideal candidates will have excellent communication skills and the ability to maximize all footwear and apparel sales targets across all accounts.MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Key Account Management:
- Act as a dedicated internal ambassador for assigned key accounts, representing their interests in all aspects of our business
- Evolve account strategies continuously, formalizing plans, and gaining approval from the Sales Manager
- Develop comprehensive strategic plans tailored to each key account
- Achieve or surpass sales targets for footwear and apparel, aligning with our overarching strategy
- Maintain weekly forecasting of monthly orderbook conversion by account
- Cultivate and sustain in-depth product knowledge
- Provide realistic account performance plans and forecasts
- Create a product assortment plan across all categories in alignment with account and brand strategies
Sales Performance Analysis:
- Continuously monitor sell-out and order books, showing skill in Excel
- Collaborate closely with the sales planner to support monthly and seasonal product forecasting
- Analyse weekly sell-through data and communicate insights to key stakeholders
- Devise action plans to enhance monthly order book conversion, scheduling regular trade catch-ups with key accounts
- Oversee inventory management and FTS replenishment, collaborating closely with customer services, finance, and logistics for revenue management
Effective Communication:
- Deliver structured feedback on our product and competitor product innovations to key accounts
- Allocate regular time to engage with key accounts
- Occasional travel to New Balance headquarters
Operational Efficiency:
- Efficiently manage the order book from sales order placement to on-time delivery, including order reconciliation
- Collaborate closely with the internal credit control department
- Maintain weekly forecasting of monthly orderbook conversion
- Adhere to and operate within New Balance policies and procedures
- Possess strong industry knowledge across footwear and apparel categories, with possibly specific experience in Retail
- Collaborate with the Marketing department to develop specific product and Brand activations with each key account
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:
- A degree in a sports, business or fashion-related subject or equivalent industry experience
- Previous experience within a Key Account selling environment
- Strong selling and negotiation skills
- Excellent communication skills, encompassing written, oral, and presentation abilities
- Proficient with Microsoft Office system
- Proven sales experience, ideally within the sports/fashion/retail
- Analytical skills for data-driven decision-making
- Exceptional planning and organisational abilities
- Collaborative approach and a team player mentality
Equal Opportunity Employer:
New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment. We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion.
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