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 Senior 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 footwear across our Lifestyle and Performance categories. Leading a team we are looking for a strong leader who will drive and deliver targets as one team, providing strategic insight and a hands on approach to upselling New Balance products. You will interpret and implement the New Balance Global plan for JD in Europe for footwear.
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:
1. Represent the assigned key account internally as an ambassador towards all aspects of business
2. Successfully manage a team
3. Responsible for continuing to evolve the account strategies, formalising plans in collaboration with sales planning and GBU sales manager
4. Achieve or exceed all footwear sales targets in line with the overall strategy
5. Be creative in fast fashion and the ability to recognise the younger end-consumer
6. Ensure up to date and in-depth product knowledge
7. Provide realistic plans and forecasts on account performance across short, medium and long-term periods
8. Monitor sell-out and the order book continuously and competent using excel
9. Work closely with sales planning to support product forecasting monthly and seasonally
10. Analyse weekly sell through data and communicate to key stakeholders
11. Develop action plans to achieve monthly order book conversion and regular occurring trade catch ups with key account
12. Inventory management and FTS replenishment
13. Work closely with customer services/finance and logistics to manage revenue responsibility
14. Provide structured key account feedback on our product and on competitor product innovations
15. Be a leader for the wider account and sales team and lead the Footwear sales team working across the account
16. Spend regular time with key account at their headquarters
17. Support order reconciliation, price checks and order book phasing
18. Work closely with internal credit control department
19. Support forecasting the monthly orderbook and conversion on a weekly basis
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:
20. Educated to degree level, ideally related to sports/fashion or relevant industry experience
21. Previous experience with large key accounts in a similar environment across EMEA
22. Previous experience of line managing is required
23. In depth understanding on UK & EU Sports Apparel market
24. Strong understanding of SMU process and the ability to work cross functionally to develop account specific SMU programs
25. Excellent Communication skills, working cross functionally to ensure successful buy in throughout the organisation
26. Highly organised and deadline orientation to ensure successful delivery tasks on time
27. Proactive approach to communicating with internal and external stakeholders
28. Proficient with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
29. Knowledge of local and regional markets’ consumers, economic environment and commercial needs
30. Previous sales experience ideally within the sport / fashion sector
31. Great teammate
BENEFITS:
32. Sales Related Bonus
33. Car/ Car Allowance
34. Private Medical Insurance
35. Dental Scheme
36. Pension Scheme
37. Flexible Working Hours (7am-10am start – 3pm-6pm finish)
38. Hybrid working (3 days on-site)
39. 25 days Annual Leave per year
40. Life Insurance
41. On Site Gym
42. Employee Discount
43. Employee Referral Scheme
44. Volunteering Opportunities via NB GivesBack
45. Learning & Development Opportunities
46. Flexibility to work 20 days from anywhere each year
47. Travel Assistance and Insurance when working abroad
48. Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefit (24/7 Employment Assistance Program & Support)