Sales Director, Athletic & Lifestyle Footwear (Dept Store & Off-Price)

Overview

American Exchange Group is an industry leader in fashion accessory products and brand management. By facilitating distribution to major retailers internationally for their globally recognized brands, custom private label brands, and exclusive licensed brands—including footwear, home, tech wearables, watches, jewelry, handbags, fashion accessories, and beauty—American Exchange Group raises the bar by disrupting the status quo with value and quality, while staying at the forefront of trends.

Joining American Exchange Group means being part of a dynamic and diverse team where your contributions drive real impact—and where there’s always room to grow. If you're looking to be part of a company that blends heritage with hustle, we’re excited to meet you.

Visit our website at www.axnygroup.com

Sales Director – Athletic & Lifestyle Footwear

Position Summary

We are looking for an experienced Sales Director to join our growing Athletic Footwear Division. This role will support a new athletic & lifestyle footwear brand spanning Men’s, Women’s, and Kids’ footwear. This is an exciting opportunity to help build and grow a dynamic footwear business within a well-established company.

The Sales Director will be responsible for driving sales growth across key retail channels, developing strong retailer relationships, and identifying new business opportunities. You will partner closely with Design and Merchandising while collaborating cross-functionally with Production, Operations, and other teams across the company. The ideal candidate is highly energetic, entrepreneurial, relationship-driven, and has a strong understanding of the athletic footwear marketplace.

Primary Job Responsibilities

• Drive and expand sales through off-price, department store, specialty, and other key retail channels
• Manage and grow existing retail accounts while identifying and securing new business opportunities
• Leverage industry relationships and market knowledge to develop new accounts and expand distribution
• Build and maintain strong relationships with buyers, merchants, and key retail partners
• Partner closely with Design and Merchandising to develop product assortments that align with retailer needs and market trends
• Collaborate with brand partners and licensors and leverage broader brand marketing initiatives
• Develop and deliver compelling sales presentations and seasonal product presentations to retail customers
• Monitor sales performance and sell-through by account and product, identifying opportunities for replenishment and increased sales
• Research and analyze target retailers, competitive activity, market trends, and customer needs to support sales strategies
• Coordinate with Production on samples, costing, production timelines, and retailer product approvals
• Partner with Shipping and Operations to monitor delivery dates and proactively resolve potential discrepancies or issues
• Maintain accurate sales forecasts, account plans, and business projections
• Attend market appointments, trade shows, and customer meetings as needed

Experience & Skills

• Minimum of 10 years of sales experience in footwear, or a closely related consumer product category
• Established relationships with off-price, department store, specialty, and/or athletic retailers
• Strong understanding of the athletic footwear marketplace, retail landscape, and consumer trends
• Proven track record of growing sales, developing new accounts, and expanding existing business
• Strong collaboration skills and experience working cross-functionally with Design, Merchandising, Production, and Operations
• Exceptional interpersonal, presentation, negotiation, and communication skills
• Ability to maintain composure and provide exceptional customer service in demanding situations
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and follow-through
• Entrepreneurial, self-motivated, and results-oriented
• Thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Willingness to travel for customer meetings, market appointments, and trade shows
• Four-year college degree or equivalent experience

What We Offer

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with company match
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Flexible Fridays with shortened hours during both Summer and Winter seasons
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Tax-free commuter benefits
• Exclusive employee merchandise discounts

Salary: The anticipated base salary is $150k - $175k annually plus incentive bonus. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, internal equity, and location.

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. The actual compensation package is dependent on a number of factors, including, for example, experience, education, degrees held, market data, and business needs.