Managing Director - Cannondale

COMPANY CULTURE:

Cannondale is defined by a unique combination of deep passion, brand pride, and entrepreneurial spirit. Employees are highly engaged and committed, with strong retention and a shared connection to the brand. At the same time, the organization is navigating significant transformation. The next Managing Director must preserve the brand’s “cool factor” and community-driven culture while introducing greater urgency, accountability, and process discipline.

Success will require a leader who is:

• Authentic, transparent, and emotionally intelligent
• A strong listener who builds trust and alignment across the organization
• Decisive and action-oriented, capable of driving change without disrupting core cultural strengths
• Visible and present, engaging teams across all levels and geographies

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Reporting to the SVP of Pon.Bike Americas, the Managing Director will lead the transformation and turnaround of Cannondale, restoring financial performance while repositioning the brand for long-term growth within the Pon.Bike portfolio.

This leader will operate at the intersection of strategy, brand, and operations, driving a comprehensive reset of the business across product, commercial execution, cost structure, and organizational effectiveness. The role requires a hands-on, globally minded executive who can navigate complexity, lead through change, and build a high-performance culture while maintaining the passion and authenticity that define Cannondale. This role will play a critical role in shaping how Cannondale integrates within a more matrixed, portfolio-driven operating model.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategy + Execution

• Define and execute a clear turnaround strategy to restore Cannondale to sustainable profitability
• Sharpen brand positioning beyond a premium/athlete focus to capture broader consumer segments
• Develop and implement a multi-year product and marketing roadmap aligned to growth and margin objectives
• Drive simplification across product portfolio, organization, and operating model

Financial

• Deliver profitable EBITA performance
• Improve gross margins through product mix, pricing, and cost optimization
• Reduce OpEx and complexity to align with margin profile
• Improve working capital efficiency and normalize inventory levels

Commercial

• Strengthen Cannondale’s global distribution model, with a particular focus on improving U.S. performance
• Increase market share across key categories (road, gravel, e-MTB, urban)
• Enhance dealer productivity and elevate in-store marketing and go-to-market execution
• Address portfolio gaps (e.g., entry-level and e-urban segments) to drive volume growth

Leadership

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing global leadership team
• Reduce organizational complexity and establish clear accountability across the business
• Foster a culture of urgency, ownership, and execution discipline
• Serve as a visible, present leader across global locations, engaging teams and reinforcing alignment

KEY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

• Proven Managing Director / GM / President-level leadership with full P&L ownership of a $200M+ global business
• Demonstrated success leading a turnaround or transformation, ideally in a complex, multi-region environment
• Strong background in brand building, marketing, and commercial strategy, with the ability to translate into product and go-to-market execution
• Deep understanding of global supply chains, operations, and cost structures in hardware or OEM-driven businesses
• Experience operating within matrixed organizations and managing diverse global stakeholders
• Track record of driving cost reduction, operational efficiency, and margin improvement
• Preferred industry experience in sports, outdoor, or hardgoods; adjacent complex, branded businesses also relevant
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution in a fast-changing environment

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Prior experience leading a global organization with cross-functional complexity
• Strong financial acumen, including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow management
• Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity and drive change at pace
• Credibility and passion for the cycling industry; must have a personal connection to cycling (e.g., active rider)

KEY WORK PARTNERS:

The Managing Director will work closely with:

• Pon.Bike Executive Leadership Team
• Pon Holdings Board and key stakeholders
• Regional leadership across Pon.Bike Americas and Europe
• Functional leaders across Operations, Finance, HR, and Marketing (including shared services)
• Cannondale Senior Leadership Team
• External partners including suppliers, distributors, and key retail/dealer networks

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Cannondale we value a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, regardless of your gender or race, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Our DEI Mission Statement: At Cannondale, we are on a mission to inspire cycling for all. Whoever you were, are, or will be, you can find yourself here. Our diverse line-up of bikes reflects diverse voices, diverse communities, and diverse aspirations. We know the only way to foster that diversity is to foster inclusion in our perspectives. We are committed to not only seeking unique voices, but also cultivating, embracing, and channeling those of every member of the Cannondale community. We understand that doing so makes both our company and our products better. It’s why we want you to Come Ride With Us – because bikes belong to us all.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons shall have the opportunity to be considered for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, military service and veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. For additional information, please click here. We will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to apply for a role with or participate in the hiring process with the Company, please let us know.

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