[Urgent Search] Key Account Manager

Job Description

Job Summary: The Account Manager (India) is responsible for acting as the prime point person for the Clarks & Metro distributor relationship in India, acting as the bridge between the two organisations. Responsibilities include owning the day-to-day relationship with Metro brands on behalf of Clarks, coordinating the end-to-end delivery of product, liaising with sourcing teams & factories (including compliance), working with Metro Brands on channel execution and providing support on behalf of Clarks. This role also owns the cadence of reviews and engagements between the two organisations, including performance reviews and business planning, ensuring that the business is growing at agreed levels.

Key Responsibilities:

- Act as the prime point person, the main point of coordination in the relationship between Clarks & Metro Brands (India). Act as the liaison partner, the bridge, between Metro Brands and Clarks team members across all functions (E.g. product, sourcing, operations, finance, billing, marketing).
- Own the day-to-day relationship with partner, maintaining a positive relationship. Understand the needs & requirements of the partner, in order to deliver tailored solutions & services on behalf of Clarks. Resolve client issues promptly, create a positive partner experience.
- Act as a key influencer, both within Metro Brands and Clarks. Be able to push decisions, make things happen, drive the growth plan forwards, push through obstacles and get things done. Resilient, commercial and fast paced.
- Coordinate the end-to-end delivery of product. This includes product selection, ensuring a clear calendar is maintained, as well as order placement (including factory source) & fulfilment.
- Act as the liaison point between Metro Brands and the Clarks sourcing & factory teams, including updates on deliveries and resolution of issues.
- Ensure all compliance requirements are covered, including anything required for local legislation and filing.
- Partner with Metro Brands on channel execution, especially on store openings & digital development (marketplaces). Responsible for providing any data, materials or information required from Clarks to deliver on agreed channel developments.
- Participate in business planning and development discussions with the partner. Ensure the business is growing at the agreed contractual level.
- Monitor partner commercial performance and track KPIs. Provide regular reporting & insight to Clarks seniors on performance levels.
- Responsible for arranging and managing the cadence & formal interactions (and content required) between Clarks & Metro Brands. E.g. regular business reviews, product selection etc.
- Act as the key escalation point if there is any issue, including timing delays.
- Identify growth opportunities within the market and influence the partner and senior Clarks team to make tangible commercial improvements.
- Act as the eyes and ears on the ground. Provide local market knowledge, insight and intelligence.

Qualifications:

- Degree in Sales, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field.
- Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in retail management / buying or distribution partnerships, with at least 3 years in a senior role.
- Proven track record of driving business growth & operations.
- Influencing in a collaborative partnership engagement is a must have.
- Strong understanding of the local market and retail landscape, including digital selling channels.
- Ability to work independently and make strategic decisions.
- Ability to work remotely from HQ and other key stakeholders.

Skills:

- Proven experience in Retail account management, with global brands.
- Strong commercial acumen. Resilient & fast paced in delivering commercial outcomes.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills (internal & external.
- Ability to regularly travel within India is important. International travel may be required occasionally.
- Pragmatic and action oriented.
- Analytical and problem-solving with strong resolution skills.
- Adaptability and resilience, ability to work & think independently.

About Clarks

Two brothers, a small town, and shoes that changed the world. Based in Somerset, England, Clarks has redefined shoemaking since its foundation in 1825, when James and Cyrus Clark made a slipper from sheepskin off-cuts and forever transformed the future of footwear.

Sparking revolutions and defining generations, our archive of over 25,000 shoes includes the inimitable Clarks Desert Boot and Clarks Wallabee. And every pair we design today uses the same ground-breaking combination of invention and craftsmanship that started it all.

Progress is woven into our DNA. Whether we're pioneering cutting-edge comfort technologies, championing social change, or working on trailblazing collaborations with cultural icons and KOLs, we're always striding forward.

Join us in 2025 as we celebrate 200 years of giving people the freedom to move comfortably, proudly commemorating our legacy of craft, innovation, and impact and looking boldly ahead, too.