Area Sales Manager, Softgoods (Running & Outdoor)

Area: South Mid & East Netherlands (Utrecht Eindhoven Zwolle) 

As an  Area Sales Manager Softgoods (Running & Outdoor) you will drive sales growth and build strong partnerships with key specialty sporting goods retailers across your territory. You develop joint business plans and continuously identify new opportunities for expansion. 

Driven by your passion for running and running culture you act as a true brand ambassador - bringing credibility expertise and enthusiasm to everything you do from customer interactions to in-store activation and community engagement. 

You play a key role in delivering our most strategic priorities: winning in Running while maintaining our leadership in Trail and Outdoor. 

Your focus is on exceeding targets understanding market trends and creating win-win solutions for both our brand and our retail partners. 

In this role you will act as the face of Salomon in your region bringing our brand to life through strong retail execution product storytelling and local engagement within the running community. 

 
Your main responsibilities 

1. Own and grow your territory 

• Take full ownership of your region (South Mid & East Netherlands) 

• Drive sustainable and profitable growth by expanding existing partnerships and identifying new opportunities 

• Build the seasonal game plan for your territory aligning with the brands strategic priority to accelerate growth in Footwear (Run & Outdoor) 

• Strategically prioritize accounts across buying groups key partners and independent retailers 

2. Drive commercial performance 

• Lead sell-in cycles through seasonal presentations and showroom appointments 

• Champion a Footwear-first approach ensuring running and outdoor footwear are at the core of all commercial strategies 

• Drive sell-through performance via regular field visits and in-store follow-up 

• Develop the softgoods business (footwear apparel bags) with a strong omnichannel mindset across your territory 

• Monitor key retail KPIs and take action to optimize performance 

• Ensure strong execution of seasonal priorities with a clear focus on running 

3. Build strategic retail partnerships 

• Develop long-term trust-based relationships with key retailers and buying groups 

• Co-create joint business plans aligned with Salomons strategy and category growth priorities 

• Act as a strategic advisor to customers identifying opportunities to elevate running and performance categories 

• Influence multiple stakeholders within customer organizations 

4. Lead negotiations & secure brand presence 

• Own and lead commercial negotiations delivering win-win outcomes 

• Secure optimal assortment visibility and in-store positioning 

• Strengthen Salomons premium brand positioning across all retail touchpoints 

• Ensure strong representation and prioritization of performance running and footwear categories 

5. Activate the brand & drive consumer engagement (Running culture leadership) 

• Bring Salomons running vision to life locally by shaping and owning a new running culture within your territory 

• Leverage Gravel as a gateway to performance running building credibility and engagement in this space 

• Plan and execute brand activations events and product demos 

• Bring the brand to life in-store and within local running communities 

• Partner with marketing to deliver impactful campaigns and activations 

• Increase brand relevance through community engagement and events 

6. Train inspire & elevate retail teams 

• Deliver product and brand training at different levels 

• Build retailer credibility in Running contributing to reasserting Salomons leadership in the category 

• Transfer knowledge on product storytelling and selling techniques 

• Inspire and motivate retail staff as a passionate brand ambassador 

• Strengthen in-store advocacy and product expertise 

7. Analyze the market & drive insights 

• Monitor market trends competitors and consumer behavior with a strong focus on running and outdoor segments 

• Provide structured feedback to internal teams (sales marketing product) 

• Identify opportunities to strengthen Salomons positioning and credibility in Running 

• Translate insights into actionable plans to grow footwear and softgoods performance 

8. Collaborate cross-functionally 

• Work closely with marketing trade marketing and sales peers 

• Align with other ASMs to ensure consistency and impact across regions 

• Contribute to the broader strategy of strengthening running leadership and footwear growth 

• Share best practices and contribute to overall team success 

9. Plan report & manage performance 

• Build and execute seasonal territory plans aligned with strategic growth pillars 

• Prepare and review customer business reports and forecasts 

• Track performance against footwear running and softgoods objectives 

• Ensure strong organization planning and follow-through 

Qualifications :

Essential skills & experience 

• 5 years of relevant experience (sales retail wholesale partnerships or events) 

• Strong passion for running culture and sports 

• Deep understanding of the running market and trends 

• Proven sales and negotiation skills 

• Experience with retail or distribution environments 

• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills 

• High level of ownership autonomy and proactivity 

• Excellent communication and presentation skills 

• Fluent Dutch and professional English 

Essential Competencies 

Drive for Results: You consistently find new and effective ways to get things done demonstrating resourcefulness and adaptability in achieving objectives. You regularly go above and beyond expectations taking initiative to improve existing standard operating procedures and enhance efficiency. You challenge current practices and drive continuous improvement to deliver stronger more sustainable outcomes. 

Market Knowledge: You demonstrate a deep understanding of the market context in which the business operates including competitors customers and partners. You leverage your knowledge of industry trends and company value drivers to identify opportunities that can reshape the market influence industry dynamics and strengthen the organizations competitive position. 

Collaboration: You actively partner with peers and cross-functional stakeholders to drive results and improve performance. You contribute ideas and volunteer support to benefit colleagues fostering a collaborative environment. You openly share best practices across business units and functions to enable collective success and continuous improvement. 

Additional Information :

• Territory: South Mid & East Netherlands  

• Office/showroom location: Zeist 

• Working model: 
  - Office/showroom during sell-in 
  - Field during sell-through (South Mid & East Netherlands) with min 1 day in the office per week 

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time