Commercial Director

R.A.D; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading performance footwear company, R.A.D, is seeking a Commercial Director to drive their commercial strategy and oversee sales and vendor management. This pivotal role requires extensive experience in the footwear sector and a strategic, hands-on approach to brand development while ensuring compliance and operational effectiveness.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Generous personal footwear and clothing allowance

Family & friends discount and early access to products

On-site gym

Quarterly Power of Movement allowance

Qualifications

• Over 8 years of experience in a senior commercial role.
• Experience within footwear, apparel, or consumer goods sectors.
• Skilled at balancing brand development with strong commercial outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all retail and wholesale partnerships.
• Negotiate and manage commercial contracts.
• Ensure global compliance with digital standards and product safety.

Skills

Vendor Management

Contract Negotiation

Strategic Thinking

Collaboration

Job description

About R.A.D:

R.A.D is a performance footwear company using innovation and creativity to unlock the euphoria of sport. Inspired by skateboarding and surfing, we blend cutting-edge performance design with a distinctive aesthetic rooted in lifestyle subcultures. Our footwear is designed for athletes who move with purpose—and as we expand globally, we’re growing with intention: more competition, more training, more community, more impact. As an underdog in a field dominated by giants, we focus on authentic, credible brand-building that challenges the status quo; step-by-step crafting a legacy. Tuned For The Future.

The Role:

AsCommercial Director, you will define and lead the commercial strategy and execution that powers R.A.D’s growth across retail, wholesale, vendor partnerships, merchandising, buying, and legal compliance. This is a pivotal, brand-defining role - one that blends strategic thinking, operational execution, and authentic brand stewardship.

You’ll work cross-functionally with product, operations, and marketing to ensure that every commercial decision fuels R.A.D’s performance and purpose. You’ll help us build a commercial engine from the ground up that is as innovative and community driven as the brand itself.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales & Channel Management:

• Oversee all retail and wholesale partnerships, focusing on specialty and performance-driven retailers.

• Build and manage a sales team with clear goals and strategic direction.

• Negotiate and manage commercial contracts with global retail partners and distributors

Vendor & Contract Management:
• Own key vendor relationships across manufacturing, distribution, and third-party services
• Negotiate and manage terms, contracts, and SLAs to ensure performance, efficiency, and alignment with brand values

Merchandising & Buying:
• Collaborate with the marketing and product teams to develop seasonal line plans that align with commercial and creative goals.

• Direct the assortment strategy, demand forecasting, and purchasing for DTC and wholesale.

• Ensure that inventory decisions enhance performance while safeguarding R.A.D’s premium status positioning

Legal, Compliance & Risk:
• Oversee all legal matters related to commercial operations, including intellectual property, trademarks, and brand protection.

• Ensure global compliance with digital standards, product safety, and international regulations, including but not limited to CPSI, GPSR , GPSD, Prop 65 and REACH.

• Collaborate with legal counsel to ensure that contracts and partnerships are sound and scalable.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Over 8 years of experience in a senior commercial role within the footwear, apparel, or consumer goods sectors

• Experience in an early stage start up or scale up

• Skilled at balancing brand development with strong commercial outcomes

• Proficient in vendor management, contract negotiation, and international operations

• Solid understanding of IP protection, compliance frameworks, and legal risk on a global scale

• Strategic thinker who excels at hands-on execution; you think big but are not afraid to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. Whatever it takes to drive growth.

• Natural collaborator who infuses energy, accountability, and purpose into every partnership

• Passionate about performance footwear, innovative commerce, and creating meaningful experiences

• 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

• Generous personal footwear and clothing allowance

• Family & friends discount and early access to R.A.D products

• On-site gym

• Quarterly Power of Movement allowance towards fitness pursuits