As a proud member of the Pon Holdings family, Cannondale benefits from the strong foundation and extensive network of one of the Netherlands’ largest family-owned businesses, as well as the largest bike portfolio in the world: Pon.Bike. Being a part of Cannondale means being part of a dynamic and forward-thinking organization backed by the strength and stability of Pon Holdings. 

About the Job:

This is a great opportunity to lead Cannondale’s sales efforts across the UK. You’ll be responsible and accountable for leading and motivating your team of Outside Account Managers, collaborate with other regional sales leaders, and be a major contributor to the success of our beloved brand. *Please note that the ideal candidate currently resides in the UK and has a strong network in the UK cycling market. Come Ride With Us!

How You’ll Make an Impact:

Strategy 

• In collaboration with the European Sales Director and European Sales Leaders, develop and execute the company strategic sales plan to achieve targets, keeping the company competitive and innovative, ensuring collaboration and cohesion with other relevant departments, such as Marketing and Category Planning, and other regions. 
• Understand the competitive landscape and market trends in order to accurately forecast future sales volume and profit for current and new products.  
• Establish sales contingency plans to adapt to constant shifts in the marketplace. 
• Communicate the strategy to the company and work with the relevant teams to execute. 
• Contribute to the annual Marketing strategy, including go to market schedules, advertising plans, trade or event attendance, regional shows, etc. 
• Contribute to developing the strategy and sales forecasts in the annual budgeting process, monthly forecasting process and bi-annual Latest Estimate process. 
• Develop the commercial programs for the UK in collaboration with the European Sales Director, including identifying prospective dealers. 
• Provide feedback and market intel to assist in product development and sales trends. 

Account Management 

• Support Outside Account Managers with key strategic accounts.
• Develop bespoke business plans, including rebates for larger accounts, where required. 
• Work with the Inside Sales Team, ensuring adequate support for the OAMs, addressing any concerns as required. 

Sales Targets 

• Work with the European Sales Director and European Sales Leaders to establish and communicate the company annual sales targets. 
• Own and achieve/exceed the company annual sales targets through effective leadership of the sales team. 
• Develop and promote weekly, monthly and quarterly sales objectives for your team in order to achieve the company annual sales targets. 
• Regularly communicate and collaborate with the internal sales team, to achieve sales targets and objectives. 

Forecasting 

• Complete weekly forecast for IBDs and SAs establishing high levels of collaboration, quality, accuracy and process consistency for all teams involved. 
• Complete monthly financial forecast for IBDs and SAs, establishing sales objectives and developing annual sales quotas for various channels and platforms. 
• Participate in demand forecasting, S&OP, inventory meetings providing market feedback, guidance, and recommendations. 
• Work with the Sales Operations Analyst to maintain and improve sales reporting tools. 

Networking/Client Relationships 

• Build and maintain strong, long-lasting client relationships, working with the customers to understand their business needs and goals, and to maximize loyalty, including the establishment and maintenance of account planning and dealer score cards. 
• Obtain feedback from customers and make recommendations for enhancing customer experience and contentment, providing information to Marketing team to support the in-territory marketing strategy. 
• Effectively communicate the value proposition through proposals and presentations.  
• Represent the business at conferences, trade fairs and networking events.  
• Work closely with colleagues on cross-territory opportunities. 

Team Management 

• Manage the Outside Sales teams, motivating them to achieve the business sales goals and maximize company profit for the IBD channel within the UK business.  
• Lead and motivate staff to improve customer service with clients. 
• Coach and develop the Outside Account Managers to ensure they are self-sufficient, take ownership of their territory’s performance and understand and drive business to achieve their P&L targets.
• Review team requirements and ensure sales resource levels are in line with business needs, by recruiting and training new employees, and restructuring as necessary.  
• Ensure all company processes are completed throughout the external sales team with regards to Performance Reviews, Absence Management, Performance Management, Welfare Management, etc. 
• Ensure engagement and commitment from the sales team members by: 
  • Annual, Quarterly, Monthly management of sales goals and projections,
  • Monitoring and measuring daily performance with active resolution to goal achievement, 
  • Establishing and measuring short term and long-term sales tactics and protocols, 
  • Coaching and developing the team, mentoring, supporting and developing as required. 
  • Planning and arranging quarterly sales team meetings. 
  • Champion and encourage a positive working environment and effective teamwork in line with Cannondale’s values, behaviors, and culture. 

What You Bring to the Table: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or equivalent, or qualification by a minimum of 5 years overall sales management experience, including people leadership and demonstrated ability to meet or exceed sales targets. 
• Relevant experience in working with the independent bike dealer network in the UK market. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present strategy and results to staff members at every level of the organization; 
• Ability to create and maintain positive relationships with current and prospective clients; 
• Demonstrated skill in negotiating and closing on critical sales contracts. 
• Experience of marketing techniques and best practices. 
• Solid track record in leading and motivating a team. 
• CRM Experience and knowledge 
• SAP knowledge is a plus 
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate a high level of activity under a variety of conditions and constraints. 
• Exceptional leadership capabilities 

A Few Other Things: 

• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time 
• Must be able to use a computer keyboard and view a monitor for extended periods of time 
• Travel – domestic and/or international approximately 40% 
• Must be able to move bicycles, displays and demonstrate product use. 
• Regular participation in UK team meetings will be required. 
• Must possess a full driving license. 

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Cannondale we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

WE ARE A CYCLE FRIENDLY EMPLOYER

The cycle-friendly employer certification scheme was developed to establish a European standard for cycle friendly companies. The certification is intended to help European companies to improve the situation for employees that cycle to work. As an acknowledgement for our effort we received the certificate “cycle-friendly employer”. 

At Cannondale, we are on a mission to inspire cycling for all. Whoever you were, are, or will be, you can find yourself here. Our diverse line-up of bikes reflects diverse voices, diverse communities, and diverse aspirations. We know the only way to foster that diversity is to foster inclusion in our perspectives. We are committed to not only seeking unique voices, but also cultivating, embracing, and channeling those of every member of the Cannondale community. We understand that doing so makes both our company and our products better. It’s why we want you to Come Ride With Us – because bikes belong to us all.