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.
To further develop our wholesale and franchise business, we are looking for an experienced Wholesale Director (f/m/d) based at our headquarter in Düsseldorf (Medienhafen). (Full-time)
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.
Requirements
- 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.
Benefits
- Attractive employee discounts on GUESS products
- Ten additional vacation days beyond the legal minimum
- An attractive retirement plan with above-average employer contributions
- Well-being platform
- Training and professional development opportunities
- Employee referral program
- Flat hierarchies and promising career opportunities
And that's not all. You'll also enjoy many additional great benefits!
Would you like to become part of the GUESS Family? Then send us your application. We look forward to hearing from you! 😊