Non-Apparel Sales Manager

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for business development with targeted footwear manufacturing groups and brands/retailers, to gain Company thread adoption – both via brand engagement, as well as direct sale and relationship building with footwear manufacturers. 
• Utilize all available contacts and tools to research market and customer opportunities. Develop and execute account penetration plans, inclusive of target sales volumes, value proposition, product recommendation, pricing, and other account coverage objectives.
• Manage a small team of 1-3 non-apparel Sales Managers, to achieve Vietnam and Taiwan Footwear Sales Growth targets. Successful performance of duties measured by the achievement of assigned individual goals with respect to sales volume, product placements, profit margins and other assigned objectives.
• Drive business development activities with targeted footwear factory manufacturing groups, and local brand liaison offices, located within Vietnam and Taiwan. Develop working relationships with key decision makers including Materials, Innovation, and Product Development teams to showcase products, services and deliver solutions to them.
• Execute detailed brand account penetration plans, under the guidance of the Business Development Director, and Global Footwear Director.
• Engage in Seasonal Pricing Negotiations with factory clients, working closely with internal teams to maintain target margins. Recommend pricing and price adjustments; recommend approval of credits, claims and price concessions.
• Manage a team of 1-3 associates located in Vietnam, to guide their professional development as well as meet organizational sales objectives.
• Work closely with the Regional Footwear Teams to ensure seamless sales follow through at global manufacturing locations. Support new business implementation, and as well as ongoing programs. Ensure operational success by providing customer manufacturing projections, sourcing footprint, seasonal color palettes, and other relevant information.
• Work closely with Business Development Director and Global Footwear Director to analyze sales results and competitive sales trends against established plans and goals. Take or recommend necessary corrective action as needed.
• Keep management informed of economic, competitive and other factors affecting sales with recommendations for how factors can be influenced to increase sales.
• Regular travel to Taiwan, and within the Asia Manufacturing Regions; meeting with Factory Clients, brand liaison offices, as well as Teams.
• Perform other functions as required.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Five years or more of successful selling experience.
• Experience working within the athletic footwear industry, and an understanding of footwear design, product development, sourcing/manufacturing, and downstream supply chain.
• Strong preference for existing network of footwear factory and brand relationships.
• Ability to navigate complex buying organizations, including executive decision makers and key influencers, across multiple geographies.
• Effective persuasive verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and analyze facts and make recommendations.
• Proficiency using technology: CRM-style pipeline management tools to drive and manage new sales, account plans. Skilled in virtual presentations, remote sales presentations.
• Bachelor’s Degree Preferred or equivalent in industry related experience.
• Position requires regular travel between Vietnam and Taiwan.
• Similar role in manufacturing environment, textile industry will be preferred.
• Experience with quality systems, physical lab testing equipment, calipers, digital scales, digital tension gauge and other testing equipment.