Wholesale Account Manager (Southern England) – Outdoor Apparel in Reading
Wholesale Account Manager (Southern England) – Outdoor Apparel

Wholesale Account Manager (Southern England) – Outdoor Apparel in Reading

Reading Full-Time 35000 - 45000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage and grow retail accounts while driving sales and brand representation.
  • Company: Ridgeline, an outdoor apparel brand with a rich heritage.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, company vehicle, birthday off, and generous discounts.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make an impact in the outdoor apparel industry.
  • Qualifications: Experience in account management and strong communication skills required.
  • Other info: Autonomous role with opportunities for travel and career growth.

The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.

Field-Based (Southern England) | Hybrid | Head Office – Rugby, Warwickshire

We’re looking for a commercially driven Wholesale Account Manager to manage and grow a portfolio of national and independent retail accounts across Southern England. This is a highly autonomous, field-based role focused on driving sales growth, managing national retail relationships and delivering strong seasonal order commitments. You’ll play a key role in representing the Ridgeline brand across the UK retail landscape.

Ridgeline is an outdoor clothing brand rooted in New Zealand’s outdoor heritage and trusted by those who work and live outdoors. Ridgeline clothing is stocked by leading rural, country and outdoor retailers across the UK and internationally.

The Role:

The Account Manager will manage a portfolio of wholesale and retail accounts, working closely with buyers, store teams and internal departments to drive sales performance and ensure the Ridgeline brand is represented effectively in-store. This role combines sales, relationship management, merchandising and commercial analysis to maximise account performance and identify new opportunities for growth.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Account Management & Sales Growth
    • Manage and develop a portfolio of national and independent retail accounts.
    • Drive sales growth by identifying opportunities within existing customers.
    • Build strong relationships with buyers, store managers and retail partners.
  • Seasonal Presales & Orderbook Management
    • Lead the seasonal presales process, securing forward-order commitments.
    • Manage the orderbook to ensure sales targets and delivery timelines are achieved.
    • Support credit control processes and assist with resolving account queries.
  • Retail Store & Merchandising Visits
    • Conduct regular store visits to monitor brand presentation and product performance.
    • Support retailers with merchandising guidance and product training.
    • Ensure Ridgeline’s brand standards and visual merchandising guidelines are maintained.
  • Commercial Analysis
    • Analyse sales data to identify opportunities for growth within the account portfolio.
    • Monitor competitor activity and market trends to inform strategy.
    • Provide insights to internal teams to support product planning and commercial decision-making.
  • Brand Partnerships & Projects
    • Manage dual-branding projects and commercial partnerships with retailers.
    • Represent Ridgeline at trade shows and retail events where required.

About You:

Essential

  • Proven experience as an Account Manager or similar commercial role managing B2B or wholesale accounts.
  • Strong foundation in numeracy and literacy (GCSE or equivalent).
  • Experience leading seasonal presales processes and securing forward orders.
  • Demonstrated history of conducting store visits and merchandising reviews to drive commercial results and maintain brand standards.
  • Strong commercial management of accounts including sales analysis, orderbook oversight and resolving invoice or credit queries.
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
  • Strong IT skills with intermediate Excel capabilities (lookups, logical functions, pivot tables).
  • Experience working within the apparel or fashion industry, ideally with national retailers.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage complex account issues.
  • Knowledge of Brand Protection principles to ensure brand integrity.

Desirable

  • Relevant degree or professional qualification in Business, Sales, Marketing, or a related commercial discipline.

Requirements

  • Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel extensively across the UK for multiple overnight stays, trade shows and retail visits.
  • Physical capability to work long hours in a physically demanding environment.

Personal Attributes:

  • Commercially driven and focused on delivering results.
  • Highly autonomous with excellent organisational skills.
  • Confident negotiator with strong influencing ability.
  • Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced commercial environment.

Why Join Ridgeline:

  • Join a growing outdoor brand with international heritage.
  • Work closely with retailers and partners across the UK.
  • Autonomy to manage your own accounts and drive commercial success.
  • Competitive Salary.
  • Discretionary Company Bonus Scheme.
  • Company Vehicle, Laptop and Mobile Phone.
  • Your Birthday as a day off.
  • Generous staff discount scheme.
  • Company Pension Scheme.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you - apply now or get in touch to find out more - jamesm@ridgelineclothing.co.uk

Wholesale Account Manager (Southern England) – Outdoor Apparel in Reading employer: Ridgeline of New Zealand

Ridgeline is an exceptional employer for those seeking a dynamic and rewarding career in the outdoor apparel industry. With a strong focus on employee autonomy, competitive salaries, and generous benefits including a discretionary bonus scheme and a day off for your birthday, Ridgeline fosters a supportive work culture that encourages personal and professional growth. As a Wholesale Account Manager, you'll have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with retailers across Southern England while representing a brand rooted in outdoor heritage.
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Contact Detail:

Ridgeline of New Zealand Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Wholesale Account Manager (Southern England) – Outdoor Apparel in Reading

Tip Number 1

Get to know the company inside out! Research Ridgeline's values, products, and market position. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.

Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Attend industry events or trade shows where Ridgeline might be present. Making connections with current employees or other industry professionals can give you insider info and potentially a foot in the door.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions related to account management and sales growth. Think about specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your skills and achievements.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.

We think you need these skills to ace Wholesale Account Manager (Southern England) – Outdoor Apparel in Reading

Account Management
Sales Growth
Relationship Management
Merchandising
Commercial Analysis
Numeracy and Literacy
Seasonal Presales Management
Orderbook Management
Communication Skills
IT Skills
Excel Proficiency
Problem-Solving Skills
Brand Protection Knowledge
Negotiation Skills
Organisational Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Wholesale Account Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing B2B accounts and any relevant achievements that showcase your sales growth skills.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for Ridgeline. Share your passion for outdoor apparel and how your skills align with our brand values and goals.

Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to build strong relationships with buyers and retail partners. We want to see examples of how you've successfully managed accounts in the past.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Ridgeline of New Zealand

Know Your Numbers

As a Wholesale Account Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your commercial acumen. Brush up on sales data, market trends, and competitor analysis relevant to the outdoor apparel industry. Be ready to discuss how you've used this information to drive sales growth in previous roles.

Build Rapport with Retailers

Relationship management is key in this role. Before the interview, think of examples where you've successfully built strong relationships with buyers or store managers. Share specific stories that highlight your communication skills and ability to influence others.

Showcase Your Merchandising Skills

Since you'll be conducting store visits and providing merchandising guidance, prepare to discuss your experience in this area. Bring along examples of how you've improved brand presentation or product performance in past roles, and be ready to suggest ideas for Ridgeline's merchandising strategies.

Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities

The role requires strong problem-solving skills, especially when managing complex account issues. Think of challenging situations you've faced in previous positions and how you resolved them. Be prepared to explain your thought process and the outcomes of your actions.

Wholesale Account Manager (Southern England) – Outdoor Apparel in Reading
Ridgeline of New Zealand
Location: Reading

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