Senior Sales Manager - ALTRA RUNNING

Altra is looking for a Senior Sales Manager to join our team based in Stabio, Switzerland.

Live the brand

Altra Running was founded in 2009 with the purpose of unleashing human potential by inspiring the world to move naturally. We want everyone who is capable of running to experience the thrill of finishing their first race, setting a new personal record, and shattering limits they never thought they could overcome. We use our run-improving footwear, unmatched education, and inextinguishable passion for running to inspire everyone to lace up, hit the open road or trail, and start running. Our mission to get everyone who is able out and running may be bold, but we won’t stop trying until it’s a reality.

Let’s Talk about the Role

The Senior Sales Manager is responsible for developing and implementing growth strategies for all direct markets and distributors in the EMEA region. This role requires the ability to align people and resources across an omnichannel landscape, leveraging synergies with the brand's DTC formats and digital key accounts to achieve maximum results without compromising the brand's mission and vision.

The Senior Sales Manager is responsible for inspiring, leading, and motivating the direct sales force and sales agencies to achieve sales goals and deliver a seamless brand experience across different formats. They will manage a team of 18 people based in various European locations.

This role requires a proven track record in building strong brands through comprehensive initiatives to drive sales and customer satisfaction. The objectives of this role are to strengthen brand health metrics, improve MROI results, increase sales, and make the brand a preferred partner.

How You Will Make a Difference

Strategy & Tactics

• Align with the Brand Vision to develop and communicate a multi-year vision and growth strategy for all involved channels and accounts.

• Set and communicate a vision for the customer experience, breadth of services, and standards that provide a competitive advantage for the brand and deliver high service quality and connection to customers.

• Collaborate closely with the senior team across all disciplines, influencing the development of all aspects of the account proposition, including product assortment, allocation, store/online design and layout, visual look, marketing/promotions.

• Provide perspective on market, store, and product opportunities that will further accelerate growth.

• Maintain awareness of market trends and monitor the competition.

• Develop and communicate a compelling and inspired retail vision that will drive teams to deliver their best to meet and exceed business objectives.

• Effectively manage the countries and their profitability to grow within budgeted cost parameters.

• Cooperate with other VF brands to ensure that all synergies and opportunities for VF are maximized.

• Build high-level relationships in each key account and leverage the appropriate level of contact with VF and Altra senior management.

Business & Financials

• Responsible for leading, developing, and implementing plans, actions, and decisions that drive sales growth and increase margin and profit for the brand.

• Lead the team to evolve productivity through accelerating top-line growth, improving gross margins, managing expenses, and building efficiencies in central support costs.

People Leadership

• Build and foster effective and healthy relationships with direct reports and business partners that result in confidence, morale, and spirit within the team.

• Role model people leadership and development through consistent and productive coaching; provide guidance and development to direct reports on business goals and development plans.

• Partner with HR to ensure all talent and people goals are achieved and that actionable succession plans for business continuity and long-term career growth are in place.

Skills for Success

A formal education and subsequent University Bachelor or Master’s degree in Business and Economics are nice to have, but we are most interested in your total experience and professional achievements. Such as:

• Extensive years of key account management or similar experience in FMCG or a major sports/outdoor brand.

• Experience in managing teams based across different countries, with responsibilities of leading, coaching and developing team members.

• A deep knowledge or understanding of the European running specialties and/or outdoor industry and values.

• Experience with and understanding of running and outdoor consumers and preferably be an active sports participant.

• Skills in crafting and maintaining mutual strategic plans and frequently measuring execution, whilst creating exceptional customer relationships at all levels.

• Analytical and strategic, with the ability to see the strength of using facts for decisions.

• High energy, goal-oriented, and driven individual who is great at getting things done!

What's in it for you? 

Most companies like to say they offer a competitive salary, an amazing bonus/benefit and pension scheme as well as staff discounts (btw we offer 50%!). We also do this, only quite different. Because it’s not just our products which set us apart from others. It’s our people and we believe they deserve to be nurtured and looked after. 

That’s why, on top of the usual benefits, we offer much more:

• Career ownership, enabling you to build your knowledge and experience across different brands and even different countries.

• A supportive feedback-based culture where respect and integrity guide us in what we do.

• Tailored trainings. 

• An inclusive environment where people of diverse backgrounds, lifestyles and nationalities love working together.

• On site gym and well-being initiatives.

• Subsidised canteen and 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 the journey of our team then we would like to hear from you!