Strategic Account Manager - Montreal

PUMA Group; Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 119,249 - 152,042; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits (e.g. insurance)

Job summary

PUMA Group in Manitoba is seeking a Strategic Account Manager to drive profitable growth in Generalist Lifestyle channels. The role includes managing sales, analyzing performance, and collaborating with teams to deliver tailored solutions. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in footwear/apparel sales, be bilingual in French and English, and possess strong analytical and communication skills. The position offers a salary range of $87,040 - $110,976, plus bonuses and benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of footwear and/or apparel selling or retail buying/merchandising experience.
• Must be fully bilingual in French and English.
• Exceptional communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to analyze complex data and drive innovative solutions.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales of PUMA footwear and apparel, aligning with brand goals.
• Analyze sales performance and manage product life cycles.
• Collaborate with internal teams to exceed customer expectations.
• Prepare seasonal product presentations and drive results.

Skills

Retail relationship building

Sales analysis

Data-driven decision making

Bilingual in French and English

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Storytelling

Education

BA/BS in Business, Management, Marketing, or Sales

Tools

MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, Word)

PowerBI

Job description

SPEED & SPIRIT is what we look for in our candidates, defined by some simple values that inspire us to BE DRIVEN in our performance, BE VIBRANT in our sporting legacy, BE TOGETHER in our team spirit, and BE YOU to let our individual talent and experience shine. Applying for a job at PUMA is easy and all genders are welcome. Simply click APPLY ONLINE and follow the steps to upload your application.

YOUR MISSION:

The Strategic Account Manager is responsible for driving sustainable profitable growth within Generalist Lifestyle channels nationally. They will keep in mind brand priorities while serving the needs of the consumer. They identify opportunities for business growth in both footwear and apparel, work to strengthen relationships to maximize account performance and collaborate cross-functionally to deliver tailored solutions that meet the needs of both clients and consumers.

• Drive Sales Excellence: Manage and direct sales of PUMA footwear, apparel, and accessories across all genders, ensuring alignment with brand goals.
• Proactive Account Management: Analyze sales performance to manage product life cycles, inventory, and sell-through rates. Identify and seize opportunities to improve existing business, penetrate new markets, and tackle challenges with data-driven, well-thought-out solutions.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner with internal teams, including Account Services, Marketing, Merchandising, Planning, Sales Operations, and Finance, to deliver seamless service and exceed customer expectations.
• Deliver High-Impact Presentations: Prepare and execute seasonal product presentations, leveraging strategic negotiation and storytelling skills to secure retailer buy-in and drive results.
• Efficient Sample Management: Seasonally manage a full sample set for sell-in with key accounts and liquidation in a timely manner.
• Maximize Retail Partnerships: Build strong assortments for both brick-and-mortar and digital channels, delivering a best-in-class experience that drives mutual growth.
• Leverage Data for Insights: Conduct formal sales reporting and analysis, using retailer metrics, trends, and customer data to drive actionable insights and decisions.
• Monitor Competitors & Trends: Stay ahead of the competitive landscape, implementing strategies to position PUMA as a market leader.
• Retailer Relationship Building: Establish and maintain strong, professional relationships with retail partners, fostering collaboration and trust.
• Showroom Management: Coordinate showroom setup and maintenance while supporting sample requests and shipment.
• Market Travel: Stay informed on trends and account opportunities with regular market visits (at least once per month).
• Adapt to Business Needs: Contribute to special projects and adjust responsibilities as the business evolves.

YOUR TALENT:

• BA/BS with concentration in Business, Management, Marketing, Sales preferred.
• 5+ years of footwear and/or apparel selling or retail buying/merchandising/planning experience.
• Fully bilingual in French and English.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to build lasting professional relationships.
• Exceptional communication skills (both oral and written) and the ability to effectively communicate at all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability to analyze complex data, identify opportunities, and execute innovative solutions.
• Confident storyteller who can command attention, and drive retailer/account alignment.
• Detail oriented with ability to prioritize and provide complete follow-through on all responsibilities and KPIs.
• Sense of urgency to analyze a high volume of data/activity to meet tight deadlines.
• Possess strong analytical skills and working knowledge of retail math financial metrics: sales, inventory, turn, gross margin $, open to buy & order book management.
• Working and continued knowledge of national trends and the competitive landscape.
• Strong computer proficiency in MS Office: Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, Word as well as experience using tools like PowerBI.
• Flexibility to travel for account visits, market research, and regional/national sales meetings as needed.

The hiring range base pay for this position is $87,040 - $110,976 + Bonus + Benefits (Benefit Summary Corporate).

Pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

PUMA supports over 21,000 employees across 120+ countries. The PUMA Group owns the brand PUMA, Cobra Golf and stichd, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany.

PUMA provides equal opportunities for all job applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Equality for all is one of the core principles at PUMA and we do not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination.