Senior Sales Manager Germany - Buying Groups & Field

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Senior Sales Manager Germany – Buying Groups & Field

Bewerben locations München, Bavaria, Germany time type Vollzeit posted on Gestern ausgeschrieben job requisition id R-018044

Reports to: Country Manager Germany & Austria

Permanent contract

Germany (Remote)

Hybrid mode (field-based with home-office)

Start date: at the earliest convenience

OUTGROWN YOUR OWN BACKYARD? COME PLAY IN OURS.

At Columbia Sportswear, we’re as passionate about the outdoors as you are. And while our gear is available worldwide, we’re proud to be based in the Pacific Northwest, where natural wonders are our playground.

Every product we make and every task we undertake is inspired by the famous words of our founder Gert Boyle: “It’s perfect. Now make it better.” As pioneers of relentless improvement, we are constantly evolving.

Discover a world of diversity within our team of 700+ across 13 European countries, united by the common goal of elevating Columbia to the pinnacle of outdoor brands in Europe. Our omnichannel approach seamlessly integrates Columbia and Sorel brands\‘ engaging in-store and online experiences.

We believe the outdoors is ours to protect and strive to keep our planet healthy. We believe in empowering people to experience the outdoors to the fullest.

And we believe in you.

ABOUT THE POSITION

As our Senior Sales Manager for Germany , you will play a pivotal role in elevating Columbia\’s commercial success in one of our key European markets. This is a new role, created to provide unified strategic direction across our national sales efforts, with a specific focus on buying groups and field accounts .

Germany is a complex and decentralized market where multiple sales streams operate simultaneously. This role exists to bring them together. Your mission? Inspire, structure and align our sales teams to drive growth with accounts like Intersport and Sport2000 and to support better decision-making and long-term planning.

You’ll lead a team of one 6 Sales Representatives, ensuring they’re equipped with clear targets, consistent direction, and the tools to succeed. Your scope will be to set the vision, shape the plan and empower the team .

This is an opportunity to build something from the ground up . The role is as much about transformation as it is about leadership. If you\’re ready to roll up your sleeves, challenge the status quo and shape the future of Columbia in Germany, we’d love to hear from you.

HOW YOU’LL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

• Define and execute the go-to-market strategy for Germany, with a specific focus on buying groups and field accounts.
• Set clear sales targets in collaboration with the Country Manager and align the field sales team behind a common vision.
• Facilitate the transformation of our sales approach — from order-taking to value-driven, strategic selling.
• Support the field team with structure, clarity, and inspiration to drive performance and boost confidence.
• Build strong, trust-based relationships with key buying groups and drive their engagement across all categories.
• Collaborate with the European merchandising teams to provide timely and actionable market feedback.
• Partner with Marketing to activate relevant commercial initiatives aligned with strategic priorities.
• Track performance and take proactive steps to optimize revenue, manage contracts, and drive reorders.
• Represent the German market in seasonal sales meetings and trade shows, aligning stakeholders and energizing the team.
• Champion Columbia’s values and culture in every interaction, internally and externally.

YOU ARE

• A natural leader with a talent for inspiring and aligning teams, even through change and ambiguity.
• A builder at heart: you thrive when creating new processes, shaping structures, and transforming ways of working.
• Highly resilient and pragmatic, able to navigate complexity and lead through pressure without losing sight of the goal.
• Comfortable challenging the status quo and bringing fresh energy and ideas into established environments.
• A clear and confident communicator , capable of adapting your message to different audiences and stakeholders.

YOU HAVE

• Proven experience leading and developing sales teams , ideally across a national or multi-regional scope. You know how to engage, inspire, and drive performance through clear direction and support.
• A successful track record in buying groups and managing multi-tiered sales structures within decentralized organizations.
• Significant background in sales leadership , preferably within the sporting goods, lifestyle, or outdoor sectors — or within a brand/retailer working closely with complex account structures.
• Hands-on experience building or transforming sales strategies from the ground up. You thrive in environments where things aren’t yet set in stone.
• Strong commercial acumen, with proven ability to use data and insights to influence decisions and guide action plans.
• Full professional fluency in German and English ; willing to travel extensively across Germany.

PERKS & BENEFITS

Significant discounts on Columbia and Sorel products

Unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning

A monthly Learning Hour for training, discovery and learning

Unlock your potential: access to in-house training courses (feedback, leadership, Insights…)

DEI initiatives to exchange and strengthen our involvement around these themes

ABOUT THE CULTURE

• At Columbia Sportswear, we value an inclusive and open culture that emphasizes the absence of barriers between team members. We are committed to fostering a sense of belonging by encouraging personal connections at all levels, which creates a cohesive and supportive work environment.
• Team members serve as ambassadors for our brand, finding motivation in being part of an organization dedicated to activities they are passionate about. This dedication reflects our commitment to building a team that takes pride in our products and values.
• We offer the opportunity to work for a US-based company within a multicultural environment, where your job has an impact across different countries.
• Our \“Always Be Learning\“ culture of continuous learning enables our employees to identify and develop skills that will enable them to continue to grow within the company.
• \“Unlock Your Potential\“ is the spirit that characterizes our vision of employees\‘ development: to offer them opportunities to grow, in their job, in their team or even to change jobs completely. We grow our people to grow our business.

To learn more about us and our culture, visit our page on Welcome To The Jungle:

ABOUT THE HIRING PROCESS

Ready to unlock your potential at Columbia Sportswear Company? Apply now to help us connect active people with their passion! The hiring team will review your application in the following weeks.

If your application is selected: a 30-45mn introductory interview with our Talent Acquisition Team to talk about yourself, your motivations and the role

Interview with the hiring manager

Interview with the main stakeholders + case study presentation

Your unique strengths align perfectly with our team: we are thrilled to extend you an offer!

#LI-LA1

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position\’s scope and function in the company.

Founded in 1938, Columbia Sportswear Company is a global leader in designing, sourcing, marketing, and distributing outdoor and active lifestyle apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment.

Our four primary brands — Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, SOREL and prAna — complement each other to address the diverse needs of active consumers and their products have gained an international reputation for their innovation, quality and performance.

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