• • • • • • • • Strategic Key Account Manager 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. JOB MISSION: The Strategic Key Account Manager will lead and develop long-term sustainable relationships with one of our Global Strategic Partners. The successful candidate will drive profitable and sustainable market share growth within apparel in both Lifestyle and Performance. You will be responsible for providing strategic insight as well as a hands-on approach to upselling New Balance products. You will interpret and implement the New Balance Global plan for JD in Europe for apparel. Based in our EMEA Head Office in Warrington we offer hybrid working and flexible working hours to accommodate for a healthy work life balance. Full UK Driving License is required for this role as there will be regular travel across the UK and Europe. MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES: • Represent the assigned key account internally as an ambassador towards all aspects of business • Responsible for continuing to evolve the account strategies, formalising plans in collaboration with sales planning and GBU sales manager • Achieve or exceed all apparel sales targets in line with the overall strategy • Be creative in fast fashion and the ability to recognise the younger end-consumer • Ensure up to date and in-depth product knowledge • Provide realistic plans and forecasts on account performance across short, medium and long-term periods • Monitor sell-out and the order book continuously and competent using excel • Work closely with sales planning to support product forecasting monthly and seasonally • Analyse weekly sell through data and communicate to key stakeholders • Develop action plans to achieve monthly order book conversion and regular occurring trade catch ups with key account • Inventory management and FTS replenishment • Work closely with customer services/finance and logistics to manage revenue responsibility • Provide structured key account feedback on our product and on competitor product innovations • Be a leader for the wider account and sales team and manage the Footwear sales team working across the account. • Spend regular time with key account at their headquarters • Support order reconciliation, price checks and order book phasing • Work closely with internal credit control department. • Support forecasting the monthly orderbook and conversion on a weekly basis REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS: • Educated to degree level, ideally related to sports/fashion or relevant validated experience • Previous experience with large key accounts in a similar environment across EMEA • In depth understanding on UK & EU Sports Apparel market • Strong understanding of SMU process and the ability to work cross functionally to develop account specific SMU programs • Excellent Communication skills, working cross functionally to ensure successful buy in throughout the organisation • Highly organised and deadline orientation to ensure successful delivery tasks on time • Proactive approach to communicating with internal and external stakeholders • Proficient with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint • Knowledge of local and regional markets’ consumers, economic environment and commercial needs • Previous sales experience ideally within the sport / fashion sector • Great teammate BENEFITS: • Sales Related Bonus • Car/ Car Allowance • Private Medical Insurance • Dental Scheme • Pension Scheme • Flexible Working Hours (7am-10am start – 3pm-6pm finish) • Hybrid working (3 days on-site) • 25 days Annual Leave per year • Life Insurance • On Site Gym • Employee Discount • Employee Referral Scheme • Volunteering Opportunities via NB GivesBack • Learning & Development Opportunities • Flexibility to work 20 days from anywhere each year • Travel Assistance and Insurance when working abroad • Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefit (24/7 Employment Assistance Program & Support) 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. If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.