The Role
Lead and grow digital wholesale partnerships to drive online sales, margin, and brand visibility. Own account plans, forecasting, KPI monitoring, assortment optimization, seasonal go-to-market execution, partner onboarding, and cross-functional alignment with Merchandising, Marketing, Planning, and E‑commerce.
Summary Generated by Built In
ABOUT THE BRAND
At Karl Lagerfeld, we are driven by Karl’s mantra: “Embrace the present and invent the future.”
Always contemporary and forward-looking, the House of KARL LAGERFELD shares the creative vision and design aesthetic of its iconic founder, Karl Lagerfeld.
We are the only fashion house that carries Karl’s name on its door and we strive to live up to this responsibility in everything we do, every day, with the utmost joy and passion.
Our headquarters in Paris and in Amsterdam are home to a highly diverse and driven team of KARL family members that hail from over 35 countries. Together, we aim to create meaningful stories and product concepts that connect to Karl’s world and iconic attributes.
Women’s & Men's ready-to-wear, bags, small leather goods, swimwear and underwear are managed directly from our Amsterdam headquarters, while other categories, including footwear, fragrances, eyewear and more, are developed with best-in-class licensing partners.
We connect with our consumers on multiple levels, ensuring that our online and offline approach goes hand in hand. We thrive to maximize consumer engagement via more than 200 KL stores worldwide, our premium wholesale partners, and our strong digital footprint, spearheaded by our karllagerfeld.com and 35 countries. Our digital channels currently represent more than 30% of our overall full-price business.
We are a dynamic, fast-growing and inclusive company built on professionalism and strong values. At KARL LAGERFELD we’re committed to working toward the highest standards of sustainability and integrity across all areas of our business,. In 2019, KARL LAGERFELD joined as a founding member of the Fashion Pact, a global sustainability initiative seeking to transform the fashion industry through objectives in three areas: climate, biodiversity and ocean protection.
The Role
We are seeking a fashion aware and commercially driven Wholesale Account Manager to manage and grow a portfolio of strategic partners across key markets and channels, including direct wholesale, digital wholesale, department stores, specialty retailers, distributors, and franchise partners.
The role is responsible for building out the brand, driving sales, profitability and sustainable account growth while ensuring strong brand positioning and consistent marketplace execution across both physical and digital channels.
As the primary point of contact for assigned partners, you will develop account strategies and joint business plans, lead seasonal sell-in and identify opportunities to expand the business across product categories, doors, markets and channels.
Working closely with Merchandising, Marketing, Planning, Operations, Logistics, Retail and E-commerce, you will connect commercial opportunities with the wider organization and ensure strong execution from initial sell-in through to final consumer performance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own the commercial performance of assigned wholesale, digital wholesale, department store, distributor and franchise accounts.
- Deliver sales, margin and profitability targets aligned with regional and company objectives.
- Develop seasonal and annual account plans focused on sustainable growth.
- Monitor sales, sell-in, sell-through, margin, stock, reorders and orderbook performance.
- Manage forecasting, budgets, business reviews and performance reporting.
- Identify risks and opportunities and translate these into clear commercial actions.
- Drive in-season business through reorders, replenishment and targeted commercial initiatives.
- Oversee orderbook performance, deliveries, cancellations and stock availability.
- Build strong, long-term relationships with wholesale and digital wholesale partners.
- Act as the primary commercial contact for assigned accounts.
- Develop joint business plans with clear revenue, distribution and brand-development objectives.
- Conduct regular business reviews covering performance, assortment, consumer trends and future opportunities.
- Understand different partner business models across wholesale, franchise, distribution and digital channels.
- Support commercial negotiations and alignment on key Terms & Conditions.
- Ensure appropriate brand positioning and distribution across physical and digital environments.
- Lead seasonal sales campaigns, showroom appointments and sell-in activities.
- Present collections, assortments, pricing strategies and commercial priorities.
- Translate seasonal brand strategy into account-specific assortments and commercial plans.
- Manage key milestones from pre-season planning through sell-in, delivery and post-season review.
- Partner with customers to maximize initial orders, reorders and sell-through.
- Support product launches, capsules, exclusives, pop-ups and strategic commercial initiatives.
- Identify opportunities to expand existing partners through additional categories, doors, markets and digital channels.
- Support the acquisition and onboarding of new wholesale, digital wholesale, distributor and franchise partners.
- Develop commercial business cases for new markets, partners and distribution opportunities.
- Identify opportunities across marketplaces and evolving digital business models.
- Contribute to broader market and distribution strategies that support profitable long-term growth.
- Build strong relationships across internal and external stakeholders.
- Connect Sales with Merchandising, Marketing, Finance, Planning, Logistics, Operations, Retail and E-commerce.
- Ensure clear ownership and communication around customer priorities.
- Proactively resolve commercial and operational challenges.
- Represent the brand and its values consistently across all partner interactions.
Commercial Performance
Account & Partner Management
Go-to-Market & Seasonal Execution
Business Development
Stakeholder Management
Profile:
- 5+ years of experience in wholesale, digital wholesale, key account management, franchise, distribution or related commercial roles.
- Strong understanding of fashion wholesale and the seasonal sales cycle.
- Experience managing department stores, specialty retailers, distributors, franchise partners, digital wholesale accounts and/or marketplaces.
- Proven ability to grow commercial relationships and deliver against sales and profitability targets.
- Strong understanding of sell-in, sell-through, margin, forecasting, orderbook and inventory management.
- Good understanding of e-commerce trading and digital wholesale performance.
- Confident in seasonal selling, commercial presentations and customer negotiations.
- Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to translate physical and digital performance data into commercial actions.
- Strong communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
- Entrepreneurial, hands-on and results-oriented.
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple partners, markets and priorities.
- Fluent in English. Additional languages are an advantage.
Why #TEAMKARL? (HQ)
· Learning and development courses/training
· Opportunity to make an impact
· Remote working arrangements
· Relocation allowance
· Bonus holidays
· Working in the heart of Amsterdam
· Brand discounts
· And exclusive sample sales only for #TEAMKARL
JOIN #TEAMKARL
The collective vision of KARL LAGERFELD is to be the most connected global designer brand, inspiring consumers through luxury collections and immersing them in the World of KARL. If you are interested in joining #TEAMKARL, we invite you to submit your application today.
At #TEAMKARL, everyone can give their opinion, grow in their career, and be part of a genuinely caring and inclusive team. We welcome people from all backgrounds, with different perspectives, ideas, and experiences to work with us.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING JOB POSTINGS
Please be advised that all legitimate job opportunities at KARL LAGERFELD are published exclusively on our official careers page and on selected partner platforms that redirect directly to our career site.
We strongly recommend that applicants only apply through our verified channels and remain vigilant against unofficial job offers.
KARL LAGERFELD will never request any form of payment during the recruitment process.
If you come across suspicious job postings or receive unexpected communication about a position, please contact us immediately at [email protected]
Skills Required
- 5+ years experience in digital wholesale, e-commerce, key account management, or related commercial roles
- Strong understanding of online retail, digital merchandising, and e-commerce trading principles
- Proven track record of driving digital sales growth and managing strategic accounts
- Experience working with major online retailers, marketplaces, or digital wholesale partners
- Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel, BI tools, Google Analytics, or similar reporting platforms
- Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills
- Highly organized with ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Commercially minded, data-driven, and results-oriented
- Fluent in English
- Additional languages
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The Company
What We Do
The KARL LAGERFELD house balances Parisian heritage and contemporary innovation, celebrating the iconic vision and design aesthetic of its founder, Karl Lagerfeld. Its portfolio includes ready-to-wear, bags, accessories, watches, eyewear, footwear, perfumes, candles, and fashion jewelry.
