Sr. Director of Sales

Role Type: Full-Time Base Compensation: $160k - $185k About Northstar Northstar is a global footwear design and sourcing agency with offices across the U.S., UK, India, China, and Mexico. We partner with leading international brands to design, develop, and deliver innovative footwear products with precision and speed. Our mission is to combine design intelligence, operational control, and global reach to drive growth for our customers. Northstar offers a one‑stop shop — from sales and design to fulfillment, material and technology research, in‑house testing, prototyping, collaborative design, CAD/blueprints, and material development. We approach each customer deliberately and comprehensively, utilizing our vast personnel and experience to find efficient, creative solutions. Role Overview Northstar is seeking a dynamic, experienced Senior Director of Sales to join our El Segundo office and serve as a key leader within Northstar USA. Reporting directly to Candice Watts, President of Northstar USA, this individual will assume ownership of key account relationships, drive sales and product direction, and lead the day‑to‑day commercial execution of the division. The ideal candidate is a seasoned footwear professional who started their career in design and has evolved through product line management, merchandising, and account leadership. They bring a combination of creative vision and commercial acumen — equally comfortable steering product strategy and managing revenue and margin targets. This person thrives in a fast‑paced, client‑facing environment and has the relationship instincts and industry knowledge to become a trusted partner to our most important customers. Key Responsibilities Account & Customer Relationship Management Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned accounts, building deep, trust‑based relationships with key customer stakeholders. Represent Northstar in all client‑facing touchpoints — meetings, presentations, and in‑person engagements at customer offices. Plan and host showroom visits, shopping trips, and strategic reviews to strengthen partnerships and demonstrate Northstar's value. Act as a proactive solutions partner to customers, anticipating needs and aligning Northstar's capabilities to drive account growth. Sales Strategy & Commercial Execution Own and manage seasonal sales plans for assigned accounts, with full accountability for achieving revenue and margin targets. Collaborate with Candice and Northstar leadership to develop divisional sales strategies and identify growth opportunities. Analyze account performance, track KPIs, and deliver regular reporting and forecasting to leadership. Identify new business opportunities within existing accounts and support efforts to expand Northstar's customer base. Product Direction & Merchandising Strategy Lead seasonal product strategy for assigned accounts — from trend research through final line review and commercial handoff. Guide design and development teams in creating collections that align with customer brand DNA, price architecture, and commercial objectives. Drive compelling merchandising narratives and product storytelling that differentiate Northstar's offering in the market. Translate customer feedback, market trends, and competitive intelligence into actionable product direction. Shop global markets and attend trade shows and fashion weeks to ensure Northstar's product output is trend‑right and market‑relevant. Product Development Oversight Manage the end‑to‑end product development process for assigned accounts, from initial concept through commercialization. Maintain development calendars in partnership with PD and technical teams, ensuring all milestones and sample deadlines are met. Troubleshoot development issues proactively, keeping timelines on track and customers informed. Communicate effectively with Northstar's overseas teams in Asia, ensuring alignment on materials, construction, costing, and execution. Manage a team of designers (3–5 direct reports), setting clear expectations and fostering a high‑performance, collaborative culture. Coach team members on design, PLM, development best practices, and customer‑facing skills. Optimize team workflows and workloads across the season to ensure consistent execution and results. Qualifications Required 7–10 years of experience in the footwear industry, with a background spanning design, product line management, merchandising, and/or account management. Proven track record in a client‑facing, sales‑oriented role — with experience setting and managing revenue and margin goals. Strong design foundation: ability to direct product vision, work with CAD and sketch, and credibly lead design teams. Deep understanding of footwear development processes, materials, construction, and the full development calendar. Experience working for a footwear supplier or sourcing agency (agency/supplier‑side experience strongly preferred). Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi‑seasonal product lines across multiple accounts simultaneously. Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship‑building skills — comfortable with senior‑level customer interaction. Willingness to travel internationally to Asia for factory sourcing trips and in‑region customer visits. Commitment to working in our El Segundo office 4‑5 days per week. Preferred Experience working for a footwear brand or retailer as a merchandiser, buyer, or product director. Familiarity with sourcing from China, Vietnam, India, or Southeast Asia, with direct factory or overseas partner relationships. Experience managing and mentoring creative teams. Proficiency with Adobe Illustrator, PLM systems, Google Workspace, and MS Office Suite. Ideal Profile You started your career drawing and designing shoes. Over time, you grew into managing product lines, driving seasonal strategies, and owning customer relationships. You've sat on the supplier side of the table and understand what it takes to deliver for a brand — not just pitch to one. You have the creative credibility to earn the respect of designers, the commercial instincts to hit a number, and the relationship skills to make customers feel like you're their most important partner. You love the product, love the business, and are ready to own it. What We Offer Competitive base salary and performance‑based bonus Health, dental, vision, and life insurance International travel opportunities — Asia sourcing trips, customer visits, and trade shows Opportunity to lead and shape a high‑growth division within a global footwear agency Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture with direct access to senior leadership #J-18808-Ljbffr Northstar