Sales Manager Independents

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Sales Manager Independents to join the Barbour Sales team on a temporary Maternity Cover basis. The role forms part of the UK Wholesale Leadership team and manages a team of seven account managers. The role reports into Head of WSW with indirect reporting to Head of MSW and Head of FTW and ACC to ensure divisional product needs and independent business needs are understood and unlocked.

Work closely with Head of Merch to set independent financial targets, track sell-out, and drive the sales team to achieve profitable net sales. This is a London-based role requiring a minimum of 3 days in the London office or with a partner.

• Team
  • Build a high performing team to ensure independents receive first class experience when working with Barbour and drive the sales team to achieve forward order and in-season sales targets.
  • Account managers sell head to toe across both brands; communicate to Heads of Sales is key to success.
  • Manage, coach and develop the team of account managers.
  • Conduct weekly team meetings to review trade and agree priorities for the week.
  • Complete yearly and half-yearly reviews with team members, setting goals and objectives.
  • Manage overall independent sales team critical path for sell-in and sell-out including showroom appointments, road plans and store training.
  • Implement independent sales meetings monthly and end-of-season reviews.
  • Own independents for the seasonal door plan across all areas; provide weekly topline summaries to HOS and manage opportunities and risks.

• Independent Strategy and Relationships
  • Lead Barbour’s ‘Local Hero’ strategy within the UK.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with independent business owners and key decision makers across existing accounts.
  • Attend seasonal appointments with the sales team in-showroom and in customer stores to understand territory opportunities and challenges.
  • Collate and communicate independent product needs to Heads of Sales and Head of Merch on a monthly basis.
  • Drive weekly credit meetings with finance to ensure order book fulfillment.
  • Keep Heads of Sales informed on gender targets, achievements and challenges weekly to align wholesale team efforts.
  • Target and research new potential business and drive the team.
  • Focus on commerciality and trading across three customer segments:
    Lifestyle, Country wear, Travel Retail.

• Marketing
  • Collaborate with the marketing team and Head of Marketing to define key priorities, oversee marketing budget, and sign-off on plans.
  • Plan and implement activations aligned to the marketing calendar and relevant to customer segments.
  • Review opportunities for capex investment ensuring P&L alignment with growth and terms with partners.
  • Organise seasonal VM training in-store and virtually for all customer segments.

• Skills and Experience
  • Degree level or above
  • People management and motivation of large teams
  • Experience negotiating terms and driving profit
  • Positive, proactive team leader; process-driven
  • Understanding of the UK retail market with appetite for brands, product, and business insight
  • Strategic approach to sales growth
  • Ability to organise a team and keep focus on actions aligned with critical path
  • Self-motivated and strategic thinker with problem-solving ability
  • Experience onboarding independents to B2B platforms

• Additional Information
  • MUST have a full valid driving license
  • Discretionary company bonus scheme
  • 25 days holiday as standard, increasing with length of service plus bank holidays

Note: If a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.