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

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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.

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Lead and develop the Germany and Austria wholesale team to deliver revenue growth, profitability and market share expansion.

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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.

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Drive sell-in and sell-out performance through effective sales planning, forecasting, order management and in-season performance monitoring.

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Identify and secure new business opportunities across existing and underdeveloped channels, accounts and territories in Germany and Austria, including online/ marketplace wholesale channel.

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Build long-term relationships and joint business plans with strategic customers and partners to strengthen commercial performance, brand visibility and mutual value creation.

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Strengthen operational processes and partner-management practices to improve efficiency, service quality, forecast accuracy and execution.

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Use market, customer and competitor insights to identify risks and opportunities and translate them into clear commercial actions.

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Raise execution standards across showrooms, key trade fairs, sell-in campaigns, partner activations and brand presentation in both markets.

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Represent the Germany and Austria wholesale and franchise business in EMEA commercial forums and contribute to regional strategic initiatives.

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Champion data-driven and AI-enabled commercial practices to improve account planning, opportunity identification, forecasting and team productivity.

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Ensure commercial activities and partner relationships operate in line with company policies, contractual commitments and brand standards.

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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.

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Proven record of delivering revenue growth, profitability and market development through key accounts, distributors, agents, department stores or franchise partners.

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Strong knowledge of the Germany and Austria wholesale landscape, customer dynamics, distribution channels and competitive environment.

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Excellent commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to turn market and customer insights into clear priorities and measurable results.

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Demonstrated strength in strategic account management, negotiation, joint business planning and partnership development.

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Leadership experience with the ability to build capabilities, set direction and create accountability within a commercially focused team.

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Strong influencing and stakeholder-management skills, with the credibility to work effectively with senior customers and cross-functional leaders.

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Customer-focused mindset, combining strategic thinking with strong execution and follow-through.

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Confident use of data, digital tools and AI-enabled solutions to improve commercial decisions, forecasting and productivity.

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Fluent German and English, both written and spoken. Additional European languages are an advantage.

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Willingness to travel regularly across Germany and Austria and, when required, within the wider EMEA region.

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Attractive employee discounts on GUESS products

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Well-being platform

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Training and professional development opportunities

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Employee referral program

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