VP Sales, Work Group

FashionUnited; Rockford (IL); Hybrid; USD 220,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

Wolverine Worldwide, Inc. seeks a Head of Sales (VP) for North America wholesale to drive strategic revenue growth across our brands.

Reporting to the Group President, you will align commercial priorities with brand, product, marketing, merchandising, operations, and finance to maximize profitability. You will build leadership, lead forecasting, set targets, optimize resources, and ensure competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12+ years sales experience in consumer products, preferably in work industry (footwear, equipment, accessories).
• Exceptional leadership skills with 3–5 years at Vice President level and ability to inspire and set a sales vision.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales, Marketing or equivalent work experience; MBA preferred.
• Proven understanding of consumer, retail environment, and competitive marketplace.
• Customer-first and modern partnership mindset is essential.
• Experience building organizational capability and developing future leaders through coaching and succession planning.
• Strong strategic and financial acumen to translate market insights into actionable strategies.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and driving global brand growth efforts.
• Knowledge of managing budgets to deliver top- and bottom-line targets.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and Power Point.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute sales and distribution strategies across the Work Group portfolio by territory, channel, brand and customer.
• Lead evolution of commercial capabilities and go-to-market approaches with new technologies and organizational change.
• Build and lead a high-performing sales organization with clear goals and performance metrics.
• Own sales planning including annual and seasonal forecasting, target setting and resource allocation.
• Ensure competitive compensation plans and aligned performance metrics.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Product Management, Merchandising and Finance to optimize resources for growth.
• Partner with executive leadership to shape portfolio strategy and drive enterprise-wide outcomes.
• Provide feedback on product performance, customer needs and brand perception at retail.
• Maintain and build key customer relationships and communicate strategies across customers and teams.

Skills

Sales leadership

Strategic planning

Forecasting

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communication

E-commerce

Budget management

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing or equivalent

MBA preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

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-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.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.

Wolverine Worldwide, Inc. is committed to creating a company that is as diverse as our consumers. We value the differences in one another and believe our differences make us stronger. Our diverse and inclusive corporate culture starts with the recruitment process. We are committed to being an equal opportunity employer. We aim to create equal opportunities for our associates, customers, and suppliers regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic.

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