Job Title: Sales Representative (Maternity Cover)

Employment Type: Full-time Contract: 12 months fixed-term Location: North-East Germany (Remote) Reports to: Country Manager Start Date: As soon as possible

About Columbia Sportswear

At Columbia Sportswear, we share your passion for the outdoors. While our gear is available globally, we're proud to be headquartered in the Pacific Northwest, where natural wonders serve as our playground. Our founder, Gert Boyle, inspired us with the words: "It’s perfect. Now make it better." This philosophy drives our continuous evolution as pioneers of relentless improvement.

We foster a diverse team of over 700 employees across 13 European countries, all dedicated to elevating Columbia to the forefront of European outdoor brands. Our omnichannel strategy ensures seamless integration of the Columbia and Sorel brands, creating engaging in-store and online experiences.

Our European operations include:

• European Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland (Executive Committee, go-to-market functions, Planning and Logistics)
• Shared Services Center: Schiltigheim, France (Finance and Operations/Customer Service)
• Distribution Center: Cambrai, France (Ensuring swift customer delivery)
• Columbia Stores: Over 35 stores located in major European outlet centers.
• Sales and Trade Marketing Teams: Positioned in 3 regions across Europe to be close to our customers and markets.

We are committed to protecting the outdoors and empowering people to experience it fully. We believe in our team and in you.

About the Mission

We are seeking a motivated individual to cover the North-East Germany territory during a period of parental leave for one of our Sales Representatives. Your primary mission will be to cultivate strong relationships with our existing retail partners, primarily from Intersport and Sport2000, and to identify and pursue new business opportunities within the region.

You will balance nurturing current accounts with actively expanding our market presence, capitalizing on our existing momentum. The territory covers the area approximately from Kiel to Berlin, and Rostock to Dresden. You can be based anywhere within this region and will work remotely, with travel for partner visits and trade shows.

You will be part of a supportive and collaborative team, even when working independently in the field. We expect you to represent Columbia with energy and purpose, supported by close collaboration with our Customer Service, Credit, and Sales colleagues.

How You’ll Make the Difference

• Relationship Management: Build and grow strong relationships with key retail partners, including Intersport and Sport2000.
• Business Development: Actively identify and pursue new business opportunities to expand our market footprint.
• Sales Representation: Represent Columbia at key trade shows and during sell-in meetings at our showrooms.
• Territory Management: Plan and execute regular store visits across your region.
• Staff Training: Lead training initiatives for store staff to enhance sell-through and brand representation.
• Operational Support: Ensure smooth customer order processing and deliveries throughout the seasons.
• Internal Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams (Customer Service, Credit, Sales Operations) to achieve objectives.
• Brand Advocacy: Bring the Columbia brand to life in all interactions, championing our values and supporting partners in rolling out key marketing activations for a consistent in-store experience.
• Autonomy: Take ownership of your agenda, managing your territory and making informed decisions.

You Are

• Self-motivated and Organized: You effectively manage your time and plan your weekly activities.
• Naturally Engaging: You build trust and influence through authentic relationships.
• Data-Oriented: Comfortable working with numbers, reading sell-through data, and identifying opportunities to optimize in-season performance, such as recognizing when a reorder is beneficial.
• Curious and Proactive: You take initiative and drive actions rather than waiting for them to happen.