Key Account Manager, Football (Southern UK)

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

Job Mission:

Essential for encouraging lasting partnerships and developing expansion strategies with New Balance's Soccer Team Collaborator and Key Soccer accounts to strengthen brand alliances and increase market share. 

Major Accountabilities:

Key Account Management:

• Act as a dedicated Sales ambassador for assigned Football Club Partner and Key Account, representing their interests in all aspects of our business. 
• Provide Best in class sales support and service to our Club partners and retailers across wholesale, GOK and Academy channels.      
• Evolve account strategies continuously, formalizing plans, and gaining approval from the GBU Sales Manager. 
• Develop comprehensive strategic plans tailored to their key account and Club. 
• Provide detailed and realistic account performance plans and forecasts. Highlighting Gaps and opportunities for growth 
• Meet or exceed sales goals for shoes and clothing, in line with our overall strategy. 
• Continuously predict the monthly orderbook conversion per account on a weekly basis. 
• Cultivate and sustain in-depth product knowledge. 
• Create a product assortment plan across categories in alignment with account and brand strategies. 

Sales Performance Analysis:

• Continuously supervise sell-out and order books, demonstrating proficiency in Excel. 
• Work closely alongside the sales planner to assist with monthly and seasonal product forecasting. 
• Analyse weekly sell-through data and communicate insights to key collaborators. 
• Develop action plans to improve monthly order book conversion rates, coordinating frequent trade discussions with important clients. 
• Oversee inventory management and FTS replenishment, collaborating closely with customer services, finance, and logistics for revenue management. 

Requirements For Success:

Effective Communication:

• Provide detailed feedback on our product and competitor product advancements to our community and key customers. 
• Dedicate weekly hours to interact with our sponsors club across all business functions.  
• Regular review/visits of Club stores and Wholesale stores to ensure Brand is being presented aligned to strategy and values also monitoring opportunities.     
• Allocate regular time to engage with key accounts. 
• Occasional travel to New Balance headquarters. 

Operational Efficiency:

• Demonstrate proficiency in Office systems. 
• Efficiently manage the order book from sales order placement to on-time delivery, including order reconciliation. 
• Collaborate closely with the internal credit control department. 
• Maintain weekly forecasting of monthly orderbook conversion. 
• Adhere to and operate within New Balance policies and procedures. 
• Possess strong industry knowledge across footwear and apparel categories, with specific experience in the football industry. 
• Collaborate with the Marketing department to develop specific product and Brand activations with each key account. 

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in a key account selling environment. 
• Preferably based in London or the southern region of the United Kingdom. 
• Demonstrated expertise in selling and negotiation.  
• Strong interpersonal skills, encompassing written, oral, and presentation abilities.  
• A degree in a sports or fashion-related subject or equivalent proven experience.  
• Proven sales experience, ideally within the sports/fashion/football sector.  
• Analytical skills for data-driven decision-making.  
• Exceptional planning and organizational abilities.  
• High affinity to the New Balance brand.  
• Flexible Working Hours (07:00 – 10:00 start, 15:00 -18:00 finish)   

Benefits:

• Discretionary Bonus Opportunity

• Private Medical Insurance

• Dental Scheme

• Pension Scheme

• Hybrid working (3 days on-site)   
• 25 days Annual Leave per year   

• Life Insurance

• On Site Gym

• Employee Discount

• Flexibility to Work from Anywhere for four weeks per year   
• Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefit (24/7 Employment Assistance Program & Support)  

Equal Opportunity Employer:

New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment.  We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion.

If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.