New Balance - Key Account Manager​, Nordics Apparel - Copenhagen

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:

As the Key Account Manager – Nordic you will be responsible for leading & developing the Apparel category across the Key Accounts within the Nordic account base, securing to drive growth and execute the strategic plan, maximizing the business’s potential within the apparel category.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Responsible for continuing to evolve the Apparel strategy across accounts, formalizing plans, and working alongside the National Sales Managers, Business planners and Head of Sales.
• Ensure Apparel strategy is aligned and consistent with the overall volume objectives of the business.
• Develop & have an in-depth knowledge of the Nordic/EMEA landscape (competitors, product, emerging trends, variances by market).
• Develop an overall Apparel strategy and develop an apparel strategy for specifically Nordic selected accounts together with their key account teams.
• Work closely with product and channel merch teams on both in line & SMU Product assortments to deliver necessary product to the accounts to meet consumer demand and achieving the required growth targets.
• Share the Apparel strategy regularly to all internal stakeholders to ensure cross functional alignment on all plans.
• Regular updates / presentations to the Nordic Head of Sales & National Sales Managers on Apparel progress in line with the strategy.
• To always ensure up to date and in-depth product knowledge.
• Work closely with EMEA team to ensure continued success of SMU projects that are driving energy in our Strategic Partners.
• Orderbook control, regular orderbook meetings with sales planning, customer service and logistics to convert open orders and minimise cancellations.
• Develop and monitor accurate forecasts through the range plan process working within your team, sales planners, channel merch, finance and marketing.
• Provide training and development to the sales team, ensuring they have a deep understanding of the apparel category and are equipped with the skills to drive growth and execute the apparel strategy effectively.
• In-depth understanding of the differences between go-to-market strategies for brick-and-mortar retailers, and digital pure players, with the ability to adapt and optimize approaches based on the unique challenges and opportunities of each channel.
• Work closely with the marketing and account retail operations teams to increase brand visibility across all channels by ensuring the right retail presence.
• Develop tailored strategies for brick-and-mortar retailers and digital pure players to optimize in-store displays, online visibility, and promotional efforts, ensuring the apparel category is prominently featured and aligned with consumer behaviour in each channel.

Sell Through

• Monitor sell-out and the order book continuously and take proactive measures to address gaps in stock, optimize replenishment, and indicate trends.
• Work closely with sales planners to support product forecasting monthly and seasonally
• Analyse weekly sell through data and communicate to key stakeholders.
• To develop action plans to achieve monthly order book conversion and regular occurring trade catch ups with the key accounts.
• Continuously monitor sales data to adjust replenishment strategies, ensuring high-demand items are always in stock while minimizing excess inventory.
• Work closely with customer services/finance and logistics to manage revenue responsibility.

Communication

• Provide structured key account feedback on our product and on competitor product innovations.
• Be the lead on the Apparel Category and ensure high cross functional interactions.
• Spend regular time with the strategic key accounts at their headquarters.
• Strong & regular communication with both the EMEA & Global Apparel product functions.
• Travel to New Balance EMEA headquarters, Warrington & Amsterdam while supporting working from home in today’s new world.
• Keep internal key stakeholders up to date with strategic account prospects and opportunities in addition to regular contact with external key decision makers.
• Collaborate with GBU sales leads, sales planners and marketing in order to actively develop aligned goals that ensure no conflict of interests between departments.

Efficiency

• Proven experience using Office systems.
• Order reconciliation, price checks and order book phasing.
• Forecast monthly orderbook conversion on a weekly basis.
• To understand and operate within New Balance policies and procedures.
• Strong industry knowledge, across categories of footwear and apparel.
• Work with Marketing Manager to develop specific budget co-op activities with key accounts.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:

• Degree in sports or fashion related subject or relevant industry experience.
• Experience within a key account selling environment.
• Ability and experience in selling and negotiating.
• Strong communication skills: written, oral and presentation.
• Understanding of local and regional markets’consumers, economic environment and commercial needs.
• Proven sales experience ideally within the sport / fashion sector.
• High affinity to the brand.
• Team player.
• Experience in working in a fast-paced environment and agile ways of working.

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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