Account Development Director- Southeast Territory

Job Function

The objective of this position, reporting to the Vice President of Field Sales, is to strengthen the Saucony brand and drive sales with the key accounts in the South East territory. Primary focus will be on strategic partnering with each account to communicate the value of Saucony’s products and services, generate an understanding of product line compatibility, and generate top line growth in addition to development of sales and marketing programs and effective customer service practices.

Performance will be measured through:

  • Growth in market share at the target account
  • SKU placement and sell-through at retail
  • Account feedback
  • Achievement of specific goals
  • Effective time management

Responsibilities

  • Understand and effectively communicate the needs of this customer segment in ongoing efforts to develop:

    Relevant technical product

    Competitive sales programs

    Effective marketing and promotional campaigns

    Competitive customer service practices.

  • Maintain effective customer communication relative to value of Saucony products and services and their fit with requirements of this channel.
  • Work with accounts to develop effective sales, marketing and merchandising programs.
  • Serve as credible go-to expert on all aspects of Saucony and competitor technical product.
  • Mentor local sales reps in development of effective sales and product positioning techniques in this channel.
  • Monitor all aspects of Saucony’s customer service and the needs of each account relative to management of orders and inventory.
  • Support development of accurate product forecasts by gathering key account sell-through / inventory information and feedback on product introductions / lifecycle.

  • Clear communications regarding Saucony order management policies.

Other / Characteristics

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years experience working with key accounts in sales, account marketing and general merchandising / buying. This candidate must also have a strong running background, affinity for running product and knowledge of the industry, Saucony’s competition, and seasonal elements of this business.

Other characteristics include:

  • High energy level.
  • Self starter.
  • Strong communicator with solid written and verbal communication skills.
  • Participative management style.
  • Team player with well-developed interpersonal skills; tactful and mature with ability to get along with diverse personalities.
  • Experience in sales management, forecasting, planning, and inventory management
  • Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
  • Shoe industry experience.
  • Ability to establish and maintain credibility across different functional areas.
  • Results-oriented with the ability to balance other business considerations.
  • Proficient with MS Office user applications.

This position is based at Saucony corporate headquarters in Peabody, Massachusetts, and requires an estimated 50-60% of domestic travel focused on customer account visits and strong attendance at all relevant local, regional and national trade shows.

This is a strategically significant position that is expected to work closely with a variety of different functional areas-and one which will operate with a high degree of autonomy in daily dealings with accounts. There is a competitive compensation package and significant opportunities for advancement within the organization.

About Saucony:

Saucony, Inc. is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear, casual footwear, apparel, and accessories with its widely recognized brands Saucony, Saucony Originals, Hind, and Spot-bilt. All Saucony, Inc. sports brands develop and manufacture technically advanced products that improve the performance of active sports participants.

We design, develop and market performance-oriented athletic footwear, athletic apparel and casual leather footwear. Our principal products are:

  • Technical running, walking and outdoor trail shoes and athletic apparel, which we sell under the Saucony brand name;
  • Technical running shoe models from the early 1980’s, which we reintroduced in 1998, as Saucony “Originals”, our classic footwear line;
  • Athletic apparel, which we sell under the Hind brand name; and

  • Shoes for coaches and officials, football and soccer cleats and casual leather walking and workplace footwear, which we sell under the Spot-bilt brand name.

Our products are sold in the United States at more than 5,500 retail locations and at our 19 factory outlet stores. Outside the United States our products are sold in 53 countries through 22 distributors located throughout the world and through our subsidiaries located in Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Response Guidelines:

All entries will be kept confidential. Include salary requirements in your cover letter, along with resume and address to:


Director, Human Resources

Saucony, Inc.

13 Centennial Drive

Peabody, MA 01960

978 326 5355 fax

No telephone calls, please.

SauconyCareers@saucony.com

Notice to Third-parties or Agency/Recruiters:

Principals only. Submissions and referrals (written, oral or otherwise) received from third-parties or agencies (contingent or retained) not currently under contract with Saucony, Inc. will be considered a gift, and as such, Saucony, Inc., will not be obligated to pay a fee or service charge of any amount related to gifted submissions. Saucony, Inc. actively maintains a Preferred Vendor List. Access and acceptance to the Preferred Vendor List is granted exclusively by Human Resources. Inquiries related to recruitment and candidate submissions must be directed to the Human Resources Department.