Independent Sales Rep or Agency - California

Job Description

Job Description

Our Vision:  Empowering people with long-lasting, high-quality sportswear helps them succeed in their own lives, and makes them proud to be a part of something bigger than themselves.  

 

Our Mission:  Our objective is to be the world's best sportswear supplier for retailers, companies, and teams. 

Job Title: Independent Sales Representative / Agency — Run & Outdoor Specialty, California

Engagement Type:  1099 Independent Contractor. Multi-line rep or agency.

Location:  California preferred. Open to reps based in NV or AZ with demonstrated CA account relationships.

Reports to:  VP of Sales

Compensation:  Commission-based. Rate and structure negotiated based on territory scope and existing account base.

About the Portfolio

This role is managed through Cutter & Buck, which carries a four-brand portfolio into the Run & Outdoor Specialty channel: Craft, Cutter & Buck, Clique, and Tenson. Craft is the anchor brand in Run & Outdoor Specialty, a Swedish performance brand with 50 years of technical development for endurance athletes. Cutter & Buck, Clique, and Tenson complement the portfolio across performance lifestyle, premium casualwear, and Scandinavian outdoor. One rep, one call, four brands.

Craft Sportswear is built to empower modern athletes, blending performance-driven functionality with Scandinavian design. Whether for everyday active living or the world's toughest competitions, our products bring joy, comfort, and confidence to every stride. Rooted in optimism and a proactive spirit, Craft inspires an entrepreneurial mindset among our salespeople, encouraging initiative and ownership at every level.

While we take pride in our Olympic gold medals and world championship victories, we stay humble, always looking to adapt and grow alongside the evolving world of sports. At Craft, work is both serious and inspiring, driven by a shared passion for progress and continuous improvement. 

The Opportunity

California is a priority market for this portfolio and the largest run specialty market in the country. The buyers are sophisticated, the channel is competitive, and the consumer is demanding. Craft was built for this athlete. We are looking for the right rep or agency to carry the portfolio into the best specialty doors in the state.

We are looking for established multi-line sales representatives or independent agencies with active relationships across run specialty and outdoor specialty doors in the territory. You bring the relationships. We bring the product, the brand, and the support.

This is a commission-based engagement built for someone with an existing book of business who wants to add a strong anchor line. You go deep with the right accounts, lead with Craft, and introduce the broader portfolio where it strengthens the assortment.

What You Will Own

Account Management and Revenue

• Hit monthly, quarterly, seasonal, and annual revenue targets across run specialty and outdoor specialty accounts in the California territory.
• Own existing account relationships: prebook sell-in, at-once orders, seasonal assortment planning, and sell-through performance across all four brands.
• Develop new accounts in alignment with the portfolio's distribution strategy. Quality over door count.
• Conduct regular account visits, product knowledge sessions, and in-store activations. Lead with Craft.
• Monitor POS and sell-through data by account and by brand. Own the conversation when performance is off.

Portfolio Selling

• Lead every account conversation with Craft. Introduce Cutter & Buck, Clique, and Tenson where they strengthen the assortment.
• Build seasonal floor plans and assortment recommendations that reflect each brand's positioning. Do not flatten them into a single pitch.
• Manage four seasonal buy cycles across the portfolio. Deadlines are non-negotiable.
• Coordinate with sales leadership on account prioritization and any overlap with national account plans.

Market and Brand Presence

• Represent the portfolio at regional endurance events, run clubs, trade shows, and community activations across the assigned territory.
• Lead product knowledge sessions and in-store demos with retail staff and consumers. Equip every account to sell the portfolio with confidence.
• Support brand activations at retail, including product launches, in-store events, and community programming that drives floor traffic and sell-through.
• Build relationships with buyers, store managers, coaches, and community influencers who shape purchasing decisions in the territory.
• Relay market intelligence, competitor activity, consumer feedback, and account insights to sales leadership weekly.
• Identify new account opportunities that fit the portfolio's positioning. Bring a recommendation, not just an observation.

Pipeline and Reporting

• Forecast accurately by account and by brand each season. Own the number.
• Prepare and present territory performance updates to sales leadership on a regular cadence.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for an established rep or agency already working the run and outdoor specialty market. The right partner has an active book, knows the buyers, and can add this portfolio without a ramp period.

• Established independent sales rep or agency currently working run specialty, outdoor, or technical performance apparel or footwear in the California territory.
• Existing relationships with run specialty buyers, outdoor retailers, or endurance sports communities in California. Required, not preferred.
• Proven track record of hitting revenue targets. You can point to numbers, not just activity.
• Currently carrying complementary lines. This portfolio fits within an existing multi-line book.
• Fully independent operation: own business entity, existing infrastructure, and active in-market presence.
• Comfortable managing a multi-brand portfolio within a single account relationship.
• CRM fluency. Pipeline management and forecasting are habits, not tasks.
• Clear communicator: in person, virtual, and written.
• Active in-territory presence. Regularly visiting accounts, attending events, and participating in the specialty community.
• Must be active within the California market. California preferred. Open to reps and agencies based in NV or AZ with demonstrated CA account relationships.
• Passion for running, cycling, Nordic sports, or endurance sports. You understand the consumer because you are one.

Our Workplace: Employees shall work in a non-hostile work environment. That is, the employee is expected not to engage in any activity that unreasonably interferes with performance of any other employee, such as sexual harassment, unlawful discrimination or any other behavior that unduly demeans or intimidates another employee.
Our Employees: Full Time Employees enjoy employer subsidized medical, dental and vision eligibility, Paid Sick leave and Annual Vacation leave. Employees are also eligible for participation in our 401k plan with company match and ten (10) paid holidays in a calendar year.

Cutter & Buck is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act*), or any other legally protected status, with respect to employment opportunities. E-Verify: We verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment post-offer substance abuse testing, complete post-offer background check are required for all positions. A clear driving record may be required for Safety Sensitive and Sales positions.

Cutter & Buck, Inc. is a socially responsible company.