Vice President of Sales

HBCUvc; Rockford (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Wolverine World Wide, Inc. in Rockford, Michigan, seeks a Vice President of Sales to lead North American wholesale across our brands, reporting to the Group President. The role drives revenue growth, strengthens partnerships, and shapes market expansion strategies.

You will build capabilities, develop leaders, and implement best-in-class commercial practices while collaborating with Brand, Product, Marketing, Merchandising and Finance across the portfolio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales, Marketing or equivalent work experience; MBA preferred.
• Minimum 12+ years sales experience in consumer products, preferably footwear/equipment.
• Proven leadership with 3–5 years at VP level and ability to inspire and set vision.

Responsibilities

• Develop growth plans across territory, channel, brand and customer for sustainable growth.
• Lead evolution of commercial capabilities and go-to-market strategies.
• Build a high-performing sales organization with clear goals and performance metrics.
• Own sales forecasting, target setting, and resource allocation for profitability.
• Ensure competitive compensation plans aligned with brand growth.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Financial acumen

Cross-functional leadership

Customer-centric

Data-driven

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field

MBA preferred

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Vice President of Sales

Job Description Summary

The Head of Sales (VP) – Work Group provides strategic sales leadership and general management for the Work Group's North American wholesale organization across our portfolio of brands. Reporting into the Group President, and as a key member of the Work Group leadership team, this role drives sustainable revenue growth, strengthens strategic customer partnerships, and identifies new opportunities for market expansion. As a catalyst for transformation and commercial growth, the Head of Sales builds organizational capabilities, develops future leaders, and advances best-in-class commercial practices across the portfolio. Working closely with brand, product, marketing, merchandising, operations, and finance leaders, this role aligns commercial priorities and drives enterprise-wide business outcomes.

Primary Duties

• Creates and executes sales and distribution strategies across the Work Group portfolio; develops specific growth plans by consumer territory, channel, brand, and customer to identify new opportunities for sustainable growth.
• Lead the evolution of commercial capabilities, processes, and go-to-market approaches by championing innovation, embracing new technologies, and driving organizational change that positions the Work Group for future growth.
• Build and lead a high-performing sales organization by defining structure and capabilities, developing leadership bench strength, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement through clear goals and performance measurement.
• Own sales planning across the Work Group portfolio, leading annual and seasonal forecasting, target setting, and resource allocation to drive sustainable growth and profitability while maximizing marketplace opportunities.
• Ensure compensation and incentive plans are competitive; establish performance metrics for sales team and aligned with brand growth plans.
• Collaborates with all departments in the Brand to ensure the optimization of resources to support brand growth and priorities, including Marketing, Product Management, Merchandising, and Finance.
• Partner with executive leadership to shape portfolio strategy, align enterprise priorities, and drive integrated business outcomes across brands, channels, and functions.
• Provides ongoing and consistent feedback to brand, product, merchandising, and category partners on product performance, competitive positioning, customer needs, and brand perception at retail.
• Maintains and builds key customer relationships, communicates sales and distribution strategies, marketing initiatives, product plans, and programs, and demonstrates a deep understanding of customers’ retail sales, margin, and turn requirements.
• Performs duties consistent with the Company’s AAP/EEO goals and policies.
• Performs other duties as required/assigned by manager.

Behavioral Competencies

• Drives for results: Ability and desire to work at both the strategic and tactical levels with proven success at driving for measurable results.
• Strong communicator: Serve as an influential leader and communicator, delivering clear, compelling recommendations that build alignment and drive action across customers, teams, and executive stakeholders.
• Project management: Proven ability to work under pressure, prioritize work and meet multiple deadlines; detail orientated.
• Customer centric: Know your customers and meet and exceed their expectations, every day.
• Innovative: Innovative and intellectually curious thought leader who can constructively challenge conventional ways of thinking and introduce new ideas.
• Effective and efficient: A strong and effective leader who can drive alignment and execution across a matrixed organization.
• Leadership: Excellent interpersonal, advocacy and political skills; excellent reputation for integrity and good judgment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Minimum of 12+ years sales experience in consumer products, preferably in work industry (footwear, equipment, accessories).
• Exceptional leadership skills with at least 3-5 years at the Vice President level and with the ability to inspire and set an all-encompassing sales vision.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales, Marketing or equivalent work experience. MBA preferred.
• A proven and savvy leader, with exceptional market knowledge. Sound understanding of the consumer, retail environment, and competitive marketplace.
• An established understanding of leading with a customer-first and modern partnership-oriented mindset is a must.
• Proven experience building organizational capability and developing future leaders through coaching, succession planning, and talent development.
• Strong strategic and financial acumen with the ability to translate market insights and data into actionable business strategies.
• Strong sales and commercial leadership background with a variety of sales concepts, processes and experiences.
• Experience leading and collaborating with cross functional teams and influencing across WWW to drive global brand growth efforts.
• Knowledge of managing with and within budgetary responsibilities to deliver both top- and bottom-line targets.
• Strong leader, communicator, analytical thinker, demonstrated experience building high performing teams and cross-functional relationships.
• Understanding of e-Commerce, its impact, and role in the future of the business.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and Power Point.

Working Conditions

Normal office environment. Frequent travel required. Share |

Company Description

Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW) is a global footwear and apparel company driven by a vision to Make. Every Day. Better. Founded in 1883, the Company builds and grows iconic brands including Merrell®(opens in new window), Saucony®(opens in new window), Wolverine®(opens in new window), Sweaty Betty®(opens in new window), Chaco®(opens in new window), Hush Puppies®(opens in new window), Stride Rite®(opens in new window), HYTEST®(opens in new window), and Bates®(opens in new window), along with footwear licenses for Cat®(opens in new window) and Harley-Davidson®(opens in new window). Headquartered in Rockford, Michigan, the Company’s products are sold in approximately 170 countries and territories worldwide. For more information, visit www.wolverineworldwide.com(opens in new window).In 2025, the Company was recognized by Footwear News as Company of the Year, by Forbes as one of America’s Dream Employers, America’s Best Employers for Women, and America’s Best Employers for Company Culture, and by Inspiring Workplaces as one of the Most Inspiring Workplaces Globally.Wolverine Worldwide is a Certified™ Great Place To Work®.