Commercial Manager, Retail Channel (U.S. Hard Goods)

Location: Chicago USA

The Commercial Manager is responsible for developing, managing, and maintaining hard goods category initiatives, market planning and general day to day operations in the U.S. retail business channel in order to achieve our brand & financial objectives.  The position will help manage the "go to market" strategies and process from assortment planning, distribution validation and launch meetings, to the sell-in process and sell-through programs with the U.S. retail sales organization.  The role will work closely with the U.S. retail sales organization to build relationships with key accounts, plan inventory and execute marketing and promotional initiatives to support our brand & business goals.  

This position will work closely with the Global Commercial Director to develop commercial strategies, pricing, and inventory management plans in order to achieve the revenue and profitability expectations in  the U.S. mass market, sporting goods retailer and retail Ecommerce business segments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily:

• Partner with sales, product and marketing teams to identify hard goods business development opportunities within all hard goods product categores, as they relate to the overall U.S. retail channel and consumer market brand & product positioning strategies
• Implement sales, promotional, and off price programs
• Plan and prepare for U.S. Hard Goods product launches
• Plan and execute pre-line presentations with key accounts
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation/files/records of all activity
• Qualify any new opportunities and evaluate the caliber of opportunities with the expectation of full execution
• Provide information, education, and some coordination support for International markets based on above primary focus areas for U.S. market
  

Education/Experience

• Bachelor Degree in Business or related field
• 5+ years in packaged goods, a related industry or sales
• Experience in marketing, finance and/or sales is a plus
  

Qualifications, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to demonstrat/communicate an understanding of technical features, end use, and performance benefits of racquet sports hard goods products
• Ability to gain a full understanding of price/value relationship of each product
• Knowledge of competitors and their products
• Demonstrated excellence in communication (oral and written) and presentation skills
• Solid organizational skills, analytical ability, and strategic planning ability
• Strong computer proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint is require
• Experience with SAP is a plus
• Ability to travel about 35% required (primarily in U.S., with some limited international travel)
• Background in tennis / avid player is a plus
  

EEO - M/F/D/V