Director European Strategic Key Accounts Sports

SPEED & SPIRIT is what we look for in our candidates, defined by some simple values that inspire us to BE DRIVEN in our performance, BE VIBRANT in our sporting legacy, BE TOGETHER in our team spirit, and BE YOU to let our individual talent and experience shine. Applying for a job at PUMA is easy. Simply click APPLY ONLINE and follow the steps to upload your application.

At PUMA, every application is reviewed by real people who are committed to fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity - no matter your background, identity, or experience. To ensure our process stays true to these values, no automated systems or AI tools are used to make hiring decisions. Every decision is made by real people -with real judgment and accountability. We may use functions supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to carry out isolated organizational steps, such as scheduling interviews. These functions have no influence on decisions in the application process. We believe in creating spaces where everyone is welcome, celebrated, and empowered to contribute authentically. Because at PUMA, whoever wants to play, can play.

Your mission

• Develop and execute a comprehensive European wholesale and key‑account strategy that aligns with long‑term business objectives and brand positioning.

• Identify and activate growth opportunities across markets, channels, and customer groups to drive both penetration and whitespace expansion.

• Lead high‑impact negotiations on contracts, pricing structures, trading terms, and joint business plans to create mutual value with key accounts.

• Build, manage, and elevate senior‑level relationships within strategic accounts to strengthen trust, alignment, and long‑term partnership growth.

• Oversee the full sell‑in and order‑management cycle, ensuring excellence in preseason order capture, in‑season trading, and reorder processes.

• Establish a rigorous business‑performance rhythm with regular reviews, challenging forecasts and identifying risks and opportunities early.

• Deliver annual sales, revenue, and profitability targets across wholesale and distribution channels with strong commercial stewardship.

• Monitor key performance indicators, analyze deviations, and implement corrective actions to protect and accelerate business performance.

• Ensure strategic and operational alignment across European markets to maintain consistency, capture opportunities, and drive unified customer strategies.

• Lead, inspire, and develop a high‑performing Strategic Key Accounts team, focusing on capability building and succession planning.

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement while promoting a positive and inclusive team environment.

• Oversee all aspects of performance management including hiring, onboarding, coaching, goal setting, reviews, development planning, and compliance.

• Translate consumer insight into strategic scenarios that shape assortment architecture, pricing strategies, account prioritization, and growth models.

• Partner with Marketing, Merchandising, Supply Chain, and Finance to ensure aligned brand execution, inventory flow, margin management, and forecasting.

Your talent

• Over 10 years of progressive experience in key account management, commercial leadership, or strategic sales within sporting goods, consumer goods, retail, or wholesale environments is required.

• A proven record of leading large Pan‑European or multi‑market strategic accounts and delivering sustained revenue and profit growth is essential.

• An extensive experience negotiating high‑value commercial agreements, long‑term partnership frameworks, and joint business plans.

• Strong understanding of wholesale, distribution, and omnichannel dynamics—across commercial, operational, and financial levers—is critical.

• Demonstrated success collaborating cross‑functionally with Marketing, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Finance, and Retail is expected.

• A bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, or Economics is required, with an MBA or similar advanced degree preferred.

• Experience leading and developing high‑performing commercial teams in complex, matrixed international environments is necessary.

• Fluency in English is mandatory, with additional European languages considered an advantage.

• A strong strategic thinker with deep commercial acumen, strong negotiation capability, high analytical proficiency, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.

• The role requires a future‑focused, growth‑driven mindset with strong project leadership, talent development, cross‑functional alignment, and continuous‑improvement capabilities.

Our principles

PUMA provides equal opportunities for all job applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Equality for all is one of the core principles at PUMA and we do not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination.

PUMA is a global sports brand creating footwear, apparel, and accessories that inspire athletes and everyday movers. The PUMA Group owns PUMA, Cobra Golf, and stichd, operates in 120+ countries, and has around 22,000 employees worldwide.