Sales Manager - DACH

Samsonite; Köln; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Gregory Mountain Products is seeking a Sales Manager - DACH to translate European strategy into market execution, build high-quality customer relationships, and improve sell-in, sell-through, and brand presentation with wholesale and omnichannel customers. The Sales Manager will work closely with local marketing and operations managers as well as the Managing Director of Samsonite Germany (dotted line).

This role requires managing agents across multiple countries and aligning with regional teams

Qualifications

• Proven track record leading sales teams across multiple markets.
• Experience with wholesale and omnichannel customers.
• Strong forecasting and budgeting skills.
• Ability to manage distributors and agents in DACH.

Responsibilities

• Own the sales plan, budget and targets for the DACH region.
• Lead sales agents in Germany and agents in Italy and Austria.
• Manage distributor relationships in Switzerland including planning and brand execution.
• Develop senior relationships with key customers across outdoor, sporting goods, lifestyle and traditional luggage.
• Collaborate with the European team to improve sell-through via assortment and brand activation.
• Directly manage house accounts for Gregory and possibly additional Group Brands.
• Coordinate demand planning and stock forecasts with partners.
• Report on financials, opportunities for growth and strategic direction to key stakeholders.

Skills

Sales leadership

Channel management

Forecasting

Market analysis

Relationship building

Job description

Sales Manager - DACH

Location: Koln, Germany; Hybrid

The Sales Manager reports to the Brand Manager Europe and will translate Gregory’s European strategy into strong market execution, build high-quality customer relationships, and improve sell-in, sell-through, and brand presentation with wholesale and omnichannel customers.
The Sales Manager will work closely with local marketing and operations managers as well as the Managing Director of Samsonite Germany (dotted line).

• Sales & Sell Through:
  • Own the sales plan, budget and commercial performance for the assigned markets, delivering agreed revenue, margin and distribution targets
  • Lead, coach and hold accountable the sales agents in Germany as well as agents in both Italy and Austria, setting clear priorities, targets and ways of working.
  • Manage the distributor relationship in Switzerland, including seasonal sell in, forecasting, commercial planning and brand execution.
  • Develop and maintain senior relationships with key customers across outdoor, sporting goods, lifestyle and traditional luggage.
  • Working with agents and customers, in partnership with the wider European team to improve sell through via assortment planning, replenishment, staff training and brand activation.

  • Directly manage house accounts for Gregory and possibly additional Group Brands.

• Stock and Forecasting:
  • Working with agency and distribution partners, maintain accurate timely sales forecasts per brand, per region and per season.
  • Attend monthly demand planning meetings to share regional insight on future stock requirements, managing immediate need against product lifecycle.
  • Coordinate closely with internal and external partners, acting as the bridge between brand and retailer to streamline communication and further the goals of the business.

  • Drive initiatives to enhance overall category performance and commercial success.

• Market Analysis:
  • Analyze market trends and consumer preferences to stay informed about the competitive landscape.
  • Identify new business opportunities that drive innovation and enhance commercial success.

  • Work with both local and international Gregory leadership on new product development highlighting European needs.

• Brand Build & Marketing:

  • Anticipate future trends and recommend key investments and brand growth initiatives.

  • Work together with local agents and distributors on optimal and effective marketing usage in each country.

  • Look to the long term success of the brand through segmentation, effective range building and strategy.

  • Attend internal and external sales meetings across Europe, including trade shows.

• Reporting & Financial:

  • Ensure key stakeholders (e.g. Brand Manager, General Manager Samsonite Germany) are informed on a regular basis on financials, opportunities for growth and expansion, competitive landscape developments, key investments and the strategic direction required achieve short and long-term growth objectives.

About Us

Who We Are

Since 1977, Gregory Mountain Products has been a legacy brand in the outdoor industry and our products are sold in over 45 countries. We are a global leader in backpacking, hiking, everyday adventure and active travel products. We believe that exploration is all about the spirit and drive to make your life what you want, and our mission is to build gear you can trust to take you there. We have received countless innovation and product awards over the years, but most importantly our packs have been worn on millions of adventures and helped create a million smiles along the way.

About the Organization

Why You’ll Love Working Here

Our North America office is located just a few miles south of downtown Salt Lake City at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, giving our small, tight-knit team amazing access to world-class hiking, biking, fishing, skiing and snowboarding within a stone’s throw of the office. With 360-degree views and open windows, you can enjoy the fresh air and you can feel the energy of the mountains all around you.

At the risk of giving the ole sales pitch, we are proud of our culture at Gregory, so why not tell you about it. The work environment is fun and dynamic, with no shortage of learning opportunities due to our highly collaborative environment. We have a work-hard, play-hard mentality and are supportive of finding a healthy work/life balance. When it comes to professional development, our high employee retention rate and tenured team is the best indicator that there is no shortage of opportunities to learn and grow. We are fortunate to have a passionate and supportive parent company, Samsonite, a world leader in the travel space, which provides financial stability and allows us to pay competitive salaries with great benefits. At the end of the day, we put a lot of value on each and every one of our team members.

What We Value

We are a product-driven company, so we place a huge amount of value in high quality design, craftsmanship, materials, and responsible sourcing. We care about our outdoor playgrounds and the future of the planet, so we seek out environmentally conscious innovation and take real, science-based steps to measure and reduce our overall footprint. We believe in the incredible physical and mental health benefits we acquire from spending time outdoors. We seek to foster aspiration without intimidation, and we welcome all adventurers.

Our passion drives us to ensure every one of our products bears the mark of our hands-on, ground-up effort to curate new ideas, materials and technology to deliver something that is uniquely Gregory. This ingenuity and passion-driven mission can be felt beyond our products across all aspects of the company. It informs the style in which interact with our customers, our consumers, and our community. No matter how our consumers define adventure or wherever their curiosity leads them, it’s our job to enhance and empower their experiences.

Gregory is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to promoting and maintaining a work environment in which all applicants, associates, customers, and other individuals are treated with dignity and respect free from unlawful harassment, discrimination, or retaliation.

The Sales Manager is responsible for driving sustainable and profitable growth for Gregory in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, and combines hands-on business responsibility for key markets with the leadership of sales staff and the management of distribution partners.