Wholesale & Franchise Director

Born in 2014 by Creative Director, Max Svärdh and CEO, Albin Johansson, Axel Arigato is a Sweden based contemporary brand that started from an Instagram page and an idea to break into the footwear market.

With deep roots in music, art, architecture and what is contemporary, Axel Arigato has defined itself by offering more than a product. It has been created to leave an experience at the front of mind, whether it’s via stores, online or through events.

Axel Arigato currently has 6 stores, including London, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Gothenburg with more pending. Expanding from 2 people to now hiring over 65 members of staff in 4 years, Axel Arigato also operates a subsidiary office in London.

Join us!

We are looking for THE Wholesale and Franchise Director to take part and help continue driving our inspiring journey. You will be primarily responsible for managing our wholesale and distribution partners. We are looking for you who are passionate about fashion and the Axel Arigato products and brand. You love to build long-lasting relationships and help grow both business and people. We are proud to already be a business partner to some of the world’s best stores such as Selfridges, Ssense, Le Bon Marche, Lane Crawford, END and Harrods.

You are business-minded and have the ability to run many parallel projects simultaneously. We are on the hunt for a leader who is focused on building our brand stronger and at the same time deliver impressive results while growing with Axel Arigato each day.

Why do we need you?

Over the past few years, our growth has been good and we are not interested in status quo or slowing down. We intend to accelerate further and that is why we are looking for an experienced Wholesale & Franchise Director to continue the journey with us. We need you who wants to take ownership and lead, develop and expand the wholesale team.

What will be your main responsibilities?

Building and strengthening relationships

• Work to accelerate partnerships, agencies and distributor relationships.
• Establish showroom locations and set-up; including coordination of freelancers, recruiting and general management.
• Lead the analysis of customer experience, sell-through data and feedback with clients, making appropriate recommendations.
• Partner with Production Department on commercial terms, discrepancies, reorders, returns and samples requests.
• Partner with Finance Department to negotiate payment terms and collections.
• Be an ambassador for the Axel Arigato brand with an ability to understand how to best communicate the traits of the brand.

Developing and expanding the team

• Lead by embracing our brand values. This includes the performance and development of you and your direct reports (Wholesale Managers, Wholesale Coordinators), including successful recruitment, onboarding, training, coaching, management and assessment of the team.
• Lead the day to day job and execution of the Wholesale Department work efforts, including but not limited to sales periods, showroom, new launches.
• Lead Wholesale Department team in their development.

Expanding the business

• Create and execute business plans and sales strategies for the development of the Axel Arigato brand on a global scale.
• Develop, execute and maintain overall wholesale, distribution, agency, franchisee and expansion strategy.
• Set KPIs, seasonal budgets and roadmap strategy to ensure consistent achievement.
• Working to accelerate shop in shops and franchises openings
• Establishing new offices around the globe to help distribution.
• Being the point of contact for key accounts and travel to understand the external and internal needs.
• Partner with Brand Director to understand and decide the strategy of the brand and execute this through marketing activities together with our partners.
• Overseeing showroom invitations and schedule sales appointments.

Who are we looking for?

You lead with passion and integrity and you know that wellbeing of your team is highly connected to their results. You are responsive and you advocate for their needs. You have a proven track record from similar roles but now you seek to be more instrumental in building a brand and the global organisation that comes with it.

What might describe you?

• Rigorous experience from wholesale & the fashion industry - preferably from luxury brands or rapidly expanding brands.
• Used to monitoring workflow and set SLA’s and KPI’s.
• You have strong selling techniques and excellent interpersonal skills.
• You are trustworthy and are used to build strong relationships with customers and colleagues.
• You don't shy away from rolling up your sleeves, doing the work and leading by example.
• You are communicative and solution-oriented.
• You enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and realize the importance of continuous improvements in both big and small matters. VUCA is not an unknown acronym to you and you manage yourself and your team by creating structure, processes and routines when needed, but not redundant ones.
• You want to create the present and shape the future, together with the rest of us at Axel Arigato!

SALARY: According to agreement

STARTING DATE: According to agreement

Please apply by submitting your CV and a brief statement of why you are the perfect fit for this position.

We process applications continuously and the position may be filled before the last day of application.