Sales & Business Development Director, Trail Running

Job Summary
The Sales Director for Outside Performance Trail Running & Business Development is accountable for leading, developing, and executing a strategic go-to-market plan within running specialty and all other channels to establish KEEN as a credible and emerging trail running brand. This role is critical in supporting the VP of Sales to cultivate strong customer relationships, collaborating with internal cross functional and elevating KEENs assortment with the right retail partners to deliver impactful results. This role plays an integral part in pioneering our industry leading outdoor brand in trail running with the US Marketplace.

Essential Functions

• Cultivates new and enhances existing customer relationships to drive impactful and lasting partnerships within the running specialty category.
• Identifies and evaluates new account opportunities within Run Specialty, focusing on key, influential, and credible retail partners to expand the brand’s presence.
• Assists with the development and execution of the go-to-market strategy for Trail Run, ensuring alignment with product initiatives and the overarching brand vision.
• Conducts product demonstrations showcasing performance technologies, equipping retailers with the knowledge of key selling features and benefits. Provides education to support retailer success and omni-channel product promotion.
• Collaborates with network dealers to analyze performance, driving sales growth, business development, and increased market share for the brand.
• Conducts performance analysis and provides leadership with business insights to inform revenue growth initiatives and strategic planning. Evaluates the North American Running Specialty market to identify and recommend opportunities for growth.
• Prepares and delivers comprehensive business reports, including sell-in and sell-through performance, competitive analysis, product demand and availability, and market share insights for leadership and stakeholders.
• Collaborates with internal marketing and merchandising teams to develop and execute sell-through and activation strategies tailored to the Run Specialty channel.
• Leverages data, performance metrics, and brand trends to guide decision-making and develop strategies for future growth opportunities.
• Achieves and surpasses Trail Run sales targets, supporting internal functions like marketing, product, operations, and training to deliver results.

Qualifications
•    Bachelor's degree in marketing, management or related field required
•    Seven (7) to Eight (8) years in sales, specialty account management or related field. Experience in outdoor and run footwear or retail.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Deep understanding of the trail running market, including consumer trends, key accounts and competitor landscapes.
• Familiarity with retail environments, omni-channel strategies, and direct-to-consumer sales models. Expertise in running and or outdoor specialty account base.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and drive strategic decisions.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and negotiation skills to engage with key accounts and stakeholders.
• Proven ability to develop and execute GTM (go-to-market) strategies and lead product positioning efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with both internal teams and external partners.
• Proficiency with sales analytics tools (e.g., Salesforce, Power BI) and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Ability to analyze and interpret sell-through data and market trends to identify growth opportunities.

Travel Required: Yes, up to 50% of work time will involve travel both domestic and international.

Base Salary: $145,000.00 - $165,000.00 yearly
This range represents the low and high end of the anticipated base salary range for this position. The actual base salary will depend on numerous factors such as: experience, knowledge and skills, and location. Our base salary is just one component of our competitive total rewards strategy which includes numerous benefits and perks as well as specific health and welfare benefits.

Why Work at KEEN:  Driven by a passion for life outside, KEEN is a values-led, independently owned brand from Portland, Oregon, that’s on a mission to create original and versatile products, improve lives, and inspire outside adventure. Founded in 2003, KEEN launched a revolution in the footwear industry with the introduction of the Newport adventure sandal, and has donated more than $18 million to non-profit organizations and causes around the world to promote responsible outdoor recreation, including conservation efforts to protect open spaces. KEEN strives to show the world through its products and its actions that a business for good can actually be good for business. By giving back, reducing impact, and activating communities and individuals to protect the places where we work and play, KEEN puts its values in motion and takes action to leave the world a better place.  

At KEEN, we believe in a more just and equitable future for all people. As a global brand, we acknowledge that our business, buildings, and daily lives exist within the traditional territories of indigenous peoples. We strive for a future that recognizes the knowledge, rights, and resilience of these peoples.

KEEN Footwear is an equal opportunity employer.  We value an inclusive and diverse community. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.