Wholesale Director Germany & Austria (m/w/d)

The Wholesale Director Germany & Austria will lead the wholesale and franchise business across both markets. This leadership role will drive profitable market growth, optimize relationships with distributors, agents, key accounts, department stores, digital wholesale/marketplace partners and franchise partners, and ensure consistent execution of the brand’s commercial strategy. The position requires a results-oriented leader who combines strategic thinking with operational excellence, develops long-term partnerships and translates the EMEA wholesale direction into clear local priorities and measurable business outcomes for the German and Austrian market.

CORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement the wholesale and franchise strategy for Germany and Austria in alignment with the EMEA wholesale direction and the company’s broader commercial objectives.
• Lead and develop the Germany and Austria wholesale team to deliver revenue growth, profitability and market share expansion.
• Direct the performance and development of distributors, agents, key accounts, department stores, digital wholesale/marketplace partners and franchise partners, ensuring strong alignment with brand standards and commercial goals.
• Drive sell-in and sell-out performance through effective sales planning, forecasting, order management and in-season performance monitoring.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities across existing and underdeveloped channels, accounts and territories in Germany and Austria, including online/ marketplace wholesale channel.
• Build long-term relationships and joint business plans with strategic customers and partners to strengthen commercial performance, brand visibility and mutual value creation.
• Strengthen operational processes and partner-management practices to improve efficiency, service quality, forecast accuracy and execution.
• Use market, customer and competitor insights to identify risks and opportunities and translate them into clear commercial actions.
• Raise execution standards across showrooms, key trade fairs, sell-in campaigns, partner activations and brand presentation in both markets.
• Represent the Germany and Austria wholesale and franchise business in EMEA commercial forums and contribute to regional strategic initiatives.
• Champion data-driven and AI-enabled commercial practices to improve account planning, opportunity identification, forecasting and team productivity.
• Ensure commercial activities and partner relationships operate in line with company policies, contractual commitments and brand standards.
• Extensive, progressive leadership experience in wholesale, franchise or commercial roles within fashion, lifestyle or premium consumer brands, including responsibility for the German and/or Austrian markets.
• Proven record of delivering revenue growth, profitability and market development through key accounts, distributors, agents, department stores or franchise partners.
• Strong knowledge of the Germany and Austria wholesale landscape, customer dynamics, distribution channels and competitive environment.
• Excellent commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to turn market and customer insights into clear priorities and measurable results.
• Demonstrated strength in strategic account management, negotiation, joint business planning and partnership development.
• Leadership experience with the ability to build capabilities, set direction and create accountability within a commercially focused team.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder-management skills, with the credibility to work effectively with senior customers and cross-functional leaders.
• Customer-focused mindset, combining strategic thinking with strong execution and follow-through.
• Confident use of data, digital tools and AI-enabled solutions to improve commercial decisions, forecasting and productivity.
• Fluent German and English, both written and spoken. Additional European languages are an advantage.
• Willingness to travel regularly across Germany and Austria and, when required, within the wider EMEA region.
• Attractive employee discounts on GUESS products
• Well-being platform
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Employee referral program

And that’s not all. You’ll also enjoy many additional great benefits!