Job Description
Manager - Export Sales

Purpose

The Export Market Manager is responsible for building and managing Mizzen's export business, initially across Egypt, Lebanon and Iraq, with the potential to expand into additional markets over time.
 
This is a commercial role with end-to-end market ownership, responsible for developing customer relationships, driving profitable sales, managing accounts and identifying new business opportunities across the assigned territories.
 
The role will also lead the liquidation business in Egypt and Iraq, developing the right network of partners to efficiently monetize excess and ageing inventory while protecting ON's brand positioning and the long-term value of the business.
 
Reporting directly to the General Manager, the Export Market Manager acts as the commercial owner for the assigned markets and works cross-functionally with Distribution, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Finance, Marketing and Legal to deliver profitable, cash-generative and scalable growth.

Key Accountabilities

1. Market & Commercial Ownership

  • Own the commercial performance of assigned export markets, initially Egypt, Lebanon and Iraq.
  • Develop and execute market-level commercial plans aligned with Mizzen and ON's regional strategy.
  • Deliver agreed Net Sales, Gross Margin and cash collection targets.
  • Build forecasts and commercial plans by customer, season and channel.
  • Understand the commercial, economic and competitive dynamics of each market.
  • Identify opportunities to expand the business into additional countries, customers and channels.
  • Provide regular updates to the General Manager on performance, opportunities, risks and recommended actions.

2. Account Management & Business Development

  • Own and develop relationships with existing accounts across Egypt, Lebanon and Iraq.
  • Identify, evaluate and acquire new strategic accounts and commercial partners.
  • Build strong senior-level relationships with customers and partners.
  • Lead commercial negotiations within agreed parameters.
  • Drive seasonal sell-in and orderbook development.
  • Monitor customer performance, sell-through and inventory health where data is available.
  • Conduct regular market and customer visits.
  • Ensure accounts meet agreed commercial and brand standards.

Key Accountabilities (Continued)

3. Liquidation Business – Egypt & Iraq

  • Own the commercial strategy and execution of liquidation activity.
  • Develop a reliable network of liquidation partners.
  • Work closely with Merchandising on inventory and liquidation requirements.
  • Negotiate liquidation deals to maximize inventory recovery, margin and cash generation.
  • Build structured liquidation plans by market, customer and inventory pool.
  • Protect ON's inline business and premium positioning.
  • Maintain visibility on liquidation volumes, margins, inventory movement and cash collection.

4. Commercial Planning, Profitability & Cash

  • Build seasonal and annual sales plans.
  • Maintain an accurate customer orderbook and sales forecast.
  • Contribute to the IBP process.
  • Understand pricing, discounts, duties, logistics and payment terms.
  • Work closely with Finance on receivables and credit exposure.
  • Take active ownership of cash collection.
  • Manage overdue receivables and payment risks.

5. Market Development & Brand Protection

  • Support ON's premium positioning.
  • Maintain separation between inline distribution and liquidation channels.
  • Monitor brand representation, pricing and distribution risks.
  • Identify emerging market opportunities.
  • Balance short-term opportunities with long-term brand protection.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Partner with Distribution, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Finance, Marketing and Legal.
  • Coordinate inventory availability, export execution and logistics.
  • Ensure customer agreements and commercial terms are implemented.
  • Build a scalable operating model for future expansion.

Job Dimensions

  • Communication & Working Relationships

  • Export accounts, distributors, liquidation partners and internal stakeholders.
  • Strong negotiation, relationship management and strategic communication.

  • Team Management

  • Not applicable.

  • Financial Accountability

  • Net Sales.
  • Gross Margin / commercial profitability.
  • Cash collection and receivables.
  • Liquidation recovery and profitability.

  • Functional & Technical Skills

  • Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.
  • Strong commercial, negotiation and financial acumen.
  • Strong understanding of distributor / wholesale economics.
  • Strong forecasting and KPI capability.
  • Excellent English communication.
  • Arabic and/or French would be an advantage.
  • Ability and willingness to travel frequently.

  • Job Knowledge & Requirements

  • Strong business development and account management capability.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset.
  • Comfortable operating in emerging and complex markets.
  • Ability to manage both strategic inline business and liquidation business.
  • Strong focus on sales, profitability and cash collection.
  • Ability to protect ON's premium positioning while delivering commercial objectives.
  • Comfortable with direct exposure to the General Manager and senior stakeholders.

Qualifications And Experience

  • Essential

  • Bachelor Degree or equivalent.
  • Diploma or Certificate with a Business, Sales, Marketing or related focus.
  • 5+ years of relevant experience in commercial, wholesale, distribution, export sales or key account management.
  • Experience in sportswear, footwear, fashion or premium consumer brands preferred.

Competencies

Acting Entrepreneurially
Behaving Ethically
Building Trust
Collaborating Meaningfully
Delivering Responsibly
Enabling Agility
Growing Talent
Persevering Resiliently
Respecting Our Culture
Thinking Strategically

Competency Category

Leading teams