Global Head of Sales Apparel

Global Head Of Sales Apparel

blackcrows is an independent ski culture brand born in Chamonix Mont-Blanc, and embraced by mountain communities around the world. We design skis, outerwear and accessories that shape modern ski culture with a relentless focus on performance, identity and style - objects shaped by a desire to merge beauty and efficiency. Rooted in ski culture and driven by a spirit of freedom and adventure, blackcrows celebrates the mountains as a creative space. With offices in Chamonix, Paris and Los Angeles, a global distribution and own physical retail stores in key locations, the brand continues to expand its vision of contemporary skiing.

This is a newly created role, designed to unlock the next chapter of blackcrows' growth. We are looking for a Global Head of Sales Apparel to own and build the wholesale commercial strategy for our apparel category from the ground up. The person we hire will be the leading commercial force behind blackcrows apparel worldwide. They will bring deep expertise in technical outerwear wholesale — specifically in the North American market — and use that knowledge to build a global account base, establish the right distribution model, and give the new apparel collection the commercial infrastructure it deserves. This is not a management role within an established system. It is a builder's role: the successful candidate will define the playbook, identify and sign the right partners, and create the foundation for a category that could realistically represent 20–25% of blackcrows' total business within three to four seasons.

Key Responsibilities

1. Global Apparel Wholesale Strategy

• Define and own blackcrows' global apparel wholesale strategy, in close collaboration with the CEO, and Apparel Creative Director.
• Establish the right distribution model for apparel: account selectivity, channel mix (specialty ski, premium outdoor, lifestyle boutiques), and geographic prioritisation.
• Build a clear sell-in calendar and commercial roadmap for each market, aligned to the seasonal collection and brand positioning.
• Own the global apparel wholesale P&L: revenue targets, margins, agent/rep commissions, and sell-through performance.
• Identify and pursue new strategic accounts that are genuinely aligned with the blackcrows brand — premium, curated, and culturally relevant.

2. North America — Primary Market

• Lead all apparel wholesale development in North America, which is the priority market for this role and the candidate's core area of expertise.
• Build and manage relationships with key NA specialty and premium outdoor accounts (key accounts, specialty independents, premium concept stores, etc.).
• Develop the NA go-to-market strategy for each collection: sell-in execution, product training, in-store activation, and sell-out support.

3. Europe & International — Collaborative Development

• Work in close coordination with blackcrows' existing wholesale organization in Europe to ensure apparel is properly integrated into the European wholesale strategy.
• Provide the European team with tools, training, and market intelligence to sell apparel effectively alongside hardgoods. Lead accounts directly where appropriate.
• Ensure consistency in brand positioning, pricing architecture, and account selectivity across all global markets.

4. Product & Creative Collaboration

• Act as the primary commercial voice in the apparel product development process — bringing market feedback, competitive insights, and account input into collection planning.
• Work closely with the product and creative teams to ensure the collection is commercially viable and well-positioned for wholesale.
• Build sell-in tools (line sheets, lookbooks, pricing documents) that reflect the brand's aesthetic and effectively communicate product value to buyers.
• Collaborate with marketing to develop account-level activation plans, co-op programmes, and in-store storytelling.
• Work with Finance on pricing, payment terms, and margin management.
• Partner with Product Development and Operations to manage order flow, delivery, and inventory allocation across global markets.
• Provide regular market reporting, forecast updates, and commercial reviews to leadership.

Success in the Role (12–18 months)

• A curated network of 40–60 strategic apparel accounts activated globally, with NA as the anchor.
• A clear, repeatable sell-in process and commercial calendar established for apparel, operating independently of hardgoods.
• Apparel wholesale revenue growing materially — from a low base toward a path to €10m+ annually within 2–3 seasons.
• Strong relationships with the right retail partners who stock, present, and tell the blackcrows apparel story with conviction.
• Product feedback loop in place — commercial insights from accounts shaping the next collection.

Profile

We are looking for someone who combines genuine commercial drive with a deep understanding of the technical outerwear market — and who is excited by the challenge of building something from scratch within a brand they believe in.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in wholesale sales, with a significant and demonstrable track record in technical outerwear or premium outdoor apparel.
• Deep knowledge of the North American specialty outdoor and ski retail landscape is mandatory — existing relationships with key NA buyers are a strong advantage.
• Experience managing or developing a global or multi-territory wholesale apparel business is highly desirable.
• A track record of building new wholesale distribution from scratch, not just managing inherited accounts.
• Experience working with or within an independent, brand-led, premium business — someone who understands how to sell with brand conviction, not just on price and terms.
• Familiarity with the European technical outdoor market is a plus but not required at hire.

Skills & Mindset

• Energised by creating structure where none exists, not frustrated by it.
• Commercial rigour: analytically strong, with a clear grasp of wholesale economics — margin, sell-through, inventory health, and seasonal cadence.
• Brand-literate: understands the difference between a brand-building account and a volume account, and chooses accordingly.
• Credible in the room: able to walk into a buyer meeting at a premium specialty store and earn their respect — both commercially and culturally.
• Cross-cultural communicator: comfortable working with a French-headquartered creative team and adapting communication styles across markets.
• Autonomous and entrepreneurial: thrives with ownership and accountability, without needing heavy management infrastructure around them.
• Fluent in English; French or other European language is a bonus but not required.

Contract & Conditions

Start date: as soon as possible

Contract: permanent, full-time

Location: Los Angeles, CA or Remote (US)

Travel: Approximately 40–50% of the time, including regular visits to Paris HQ and European markets

Health/dental/vision insurance, STD/LTD Insurance, Life Insurance, 401K, up to 20 days of vacation per year

What We Offer

• A rare opportunity to build a new commercial category for one of the most culturally authentic brands in the ski world — with full ownership and real impact from day one.
• A new apparel collection that is genuinely ready to compete: technically credible, aesthetically distinctive, and backed by renewed brand commitment.
• Direct access to leadership, creative, and product teams — no bureaucracy between your commercial insights and product decisions.
• A passionate, international team united by a shared love of skiing and mountain culture.

blackcrows is committed to providing a working environment that promotes diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, gender, age, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability (physical or mental), marital status, citizenship, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or any other legally protected status.