Sales Manager

Location: France

Industry: Branded Apparel / Sportswear / Lifestyle

Territory: France & European Markets

We are recruiting an experienced Senior Sales Manager to lead commercial growth for an internationally recognised sports and lifestyle brand within the children's apparel category.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially driven sales professional to take ownership of key wholesale relationships, develop new distribution opportunities and drive sustainable growth across France and selected European markets.

The successful candidate will combine strong commercial instincts with an excellent understanding of the branded apparel market, bringing established retail relationships, strategic thinking and a proven ability to deliver results.

Key Responsibilities

• Sales Strategy & Growth: Develop and execute a commercial sales strategy to achieve ambitious revenue and profitability targets.
• Wholesale & Distribution: Manage and strengthen relationships with existing wholesale customers, distributors and retail partners.
• New Business Development: Identify, negotiate and secure new retail and distribution partnerships to expand market presence.
• Account Management: Build strong, long-term relationships with key retail groups, department stores, sporting goods retailers and independent partners.
• Commercial Planning: Take ownership of sales budgets, forecasting, margin performance and seasonal commercial objectives.
• Market Development: Identify emerging opportunities, competitor activity and market trends to support continued growth.
• Seasonal Sell-In: Lead collection presentations, showroom appointments and seasonal sales campaigns.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product, merchandising, marketing, planning and logistics teams to maximise commercial performance.
• Inventory Management: Support stock optimisation, in-season replenishment and sell-through performance.
• Performance Reporting: Monitor sales performance, analyse results and provide regular commercial updates to senior management.

About You

We are looking for a commercially ambitious individual with a strong background in branded wholesale sales and business development.

• Proven experience in a senior wholesale sales, key account management or commercial management position.
• Strong knowledge of the French retail and wholesale landscape.
• Experience selling branded apparel, ideally within kidswear, sportswear, fashion or lifestyle categories.
• Established relationships with major retail accounts, distributors or buying groups.
• Demonstrable success in developing new business and growing existing accounts.
• Experience managing sales budgets, forecasting and commercial performance.
• Strong negotiation, presentation and relationship management skills.
• Fluent French and professional working proficiency in English.
• Experience managing international distributors or European territories.
• Existing relationships within the children's apparel or sporting goods sectors.
• Experience working with internationally recognised consumer brands.
• Knowledge of SAP or similar ERP systems.

What Makes This Opportunity Different?

This is more than a traditional account management position. You will have the opportunity to influence the commercial direction of an established international brand, develop new markets and play a central role in expanding its children's apparel business.

The role offers significant autonomy, international exposure and the opportunity to work closely with senior commercial leadership.

Interested?

If you have a strong background in branded apparel wholesale, enjoy developing new business and have the commercial drive to grow an established international brand, we would welcome a confidential conversation.