Sales Manager Independents

Company Description:

The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields in the North East of England. Founder John Barbour began supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and dockers. Still family owned and now fifth generation, Barbour HQ remains in South Shields. Under the leadership of Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, Barbour has grown into a lifestyle brand sold in over 55 countries worldwide including Europe, the US and Asia offering a wardrobe of stylish functional clothing, footwear and accessories inspired by the unique values of the British countryside. The iconic Barbour Bedale and Barbour Beaufort wax jackets continue to be made by hand in the factory in South Shields. In 2020, Barbour launched Wax for Life, an overarching name for all of Barbour’s wax services designed to encourage customers to extend the life of their wax garments. Wax for Life includes re-waxing and repairs (first introduced in 1921) and Barbour Re-Loved an upcycling circularity initiative. Each year over 70,000 wax garments are sent back to Barbour globally to be repaired, rewaxed or altered.

Position Overview:

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Sales Manager Independents to join the Barbour Sales team on a temporary Maternity Cover basis. The role of Sales Manager Independents forms part of the UK Wholesale Leadership team. This role manages a team of seven account managers and reports into Head of WSW with indirect reporting requirements to Head of MSW and Head of FTW and ACC to ensure divisional product needs and independent business needs are fully understood and unlocked. Work closely with Head of Merch to set independent financial targets, track sell out and drive the sales team to achieve profitable net sales.

London office Role – minimum 3 days to be in London office or Partner

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Team

• Build a high performing team to ensure all independents receive first class experience when working with Barbour and drive the sales team to achieve forward order and in season sales targets.
• Account managers sell head to toe both brands- communication to Heads of Sales is key to the success of this role.
• Manage, Coach and develop the team of account managers.
• Conduct weekly team meetings, to review trade and agree priorities for the week.
• Complete yearly and half yearly reviews with team members setting goals and objectives.
• Manage overall independent sales team critical path for sell in and sell out including showroom appts, road plans and store training.
• Implement independent sales meetings monthly.
• Implement independent end of season reviews.
• Ownership of independents for the seasonal doorplan across all areas. Weekly topline summary to HOS, ownership of opportunities and risk.

Independent Strategy and Relationships

• Lead Barbour’s ‘Local Hero’ Strategy within the UK.
• Develop and maintain relationships with independent business owners and key decision makers across existing accounts.
• Attend Seasonal appointments with the sales team in the showroom and out in customers stores to fully understand each of your team members territory covering market opportunities and challenges.
• Collate and understand independent product needs updating Heads of Sales and Head of Merch on a monthly basis.
• Drive weekly credit meetings with finance to ensure order book is fulfilled
• Drive alignment across wholesale team by keeping Heads of Sales fully informed on gender targets, achievements and challenges weekly.
• Target and research new potential business and drive the team.
• Drive focus on commerciality and trading.
• Managing three different customer segments Lifestyle, Countrywear, Travel Retail.

Marketing

• Important segment of the role working alongside the marketing team and Head of Marketing.
• Define key priorities and oversee marketing budget and sign off.
• Plan and implement activations aligned to the marketing calendar and relevant to customer segment.
• Review and access opportunities for and capex investment – ensuring P&L and terms with partner are aligned to growth.
• Organise seasonal VM training both in store and virtual for all customer segments.

Skills and Experience:

• Degree level or above
• People management and motivating large teams.
• Experience negotiating terms and driving profit
• Positive team leader
• Strong communicator
• Process driven
• An understanding of the UK retail market, with an appetite for brands, product and understanding of business.
• Experience of strategic approach to sales growth
• Ability to organise a team and maintain their focus on actions and goals that run parallel to the critical path.
• Self-Motivated
• Strategic thinker
• Strong negotiating skills
• Problem solving
• Experience of onboarding Independents to B2B platforms

Additional Information:

• MUST have a full valid Driving licence.

Benefits:

• Discretionary Company bonus scheme
• Staff discount
• Healthcare cash plan
• 25 days holiday as standard increasing with length of service plus bank holidays

Note: In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested