Strategic Account Director – Department Stores

OUTGROWN YOUR OWN BACKYARD? COME PLAY IN OURS.
At Columbia, we’re as passionate about the outdoors as you are. And while our gear is available worldwide, we’re proud to be based in the Pacific Northwest, where natural wonders are our playground.

Every product we make and every task we undertake is inspired by the famous words of our founder Gert Boyle: “It’s perfect. Now make it better.” As pioneers of relentless improvement, we are constantly evolving.

We believe the outdoors is ours to protect and strive to keep our planet healthy. We believe in empowering people to experience the outdoors to the fullest.

And we believe in you.

ABOUT THE POSITION
The Columbia Sales Team is a key driver of our brand’s growth across wholesale channels. We partner closely with national retailers, merchants, and internal teams across Merchandising, Planning, Marketing, and Product to deliver compelling assortments and strong financial performance.

As the Strategic Account Director – Department Stores, you will own and lead Columbia’s U.S. department store business, including key national accounts such as Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Belk.

This is a business ownership role, responsible for setting strategy, driving revenue and profitability, and managing the full commercial relationship with some of Columbia’s most important retail partners. You will operate at the intersection of brand, product, and financial performance—ensuring Columbia is positioned to win within a highly competitive department store environment.

HOW YOU’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

• Own and lead the department store business, with full accountability for revenue, margin, and long-term growth
• Develop and execute strategic account plans for Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Belk that expand market share and strengthen partnerships
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with merchants and executives, influencing assortment, pricing, and in-season decisions
• Drive sell-in and sell-through performance across accounts, including ownership of pricing architecture, markdown strategy, and inventory flow
• Lead seasonal assortment strategy in partnership with merchants and internal merchandising teams
• Deliver data-driven insights and business reviews that inform both customer and internal decision-making
• Identify opportunities to expand distribution, optimize assortments, and improve profitability across the department store channel
• Partner cross-functionally across merchandising, planning, product, and marketing to ensure aligned execution and go-to-market success
• Lead and develop a high-performing team, creating clarity, accountability, and consistent execution

YOU ARE

• A commercial leader who approaches the role as a true business owner, not just an account manager
• Experienced in working directly with department store merchants and buying teams
• Able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution in a fast-moving environment
• Highly effective in influencing decisions across both external partners and internal stakeholders
• Strong in retail math, with a clear understanding of margin drivers, sell-through, and inventory dynamics
• A leader who builds accountability, clarity, and performance within teams

YOU HAVE

• 10+ years of wholesale sales experience in apparel, with clear progression into leadership roles
• Direct ownership of major U.S. department store accounts (e.g., Macy’s, Nordstrom, Belk, Kohl’s, Dillard’s or similar)
• Proven track record managing and growing multi-million-dollar wholesale businesses, with accountability for revenue and margin
• Demonstrated ownership of: pricing strategy, markdown management, inventory flow and replenishment and season assortment planning
• Strong, established relationships with department store merchants and buyers, with the ability to influence decisions at multiple levels
• Experience leading cross-functional work across merchandising, planning, product, and marketing
• A background in brand-side apparel wholesale, with exposure to fashion, lifestyle, or performance categories
• Experience operating in environments where sell-through performance, margin management, and inventory discipline are critical to success
• The ability to translate consumer, product, and financial insights into clear commercial strategies that drive growth
• A track record of leading teams or influencing across organizations to deliver consistent business results

#LI-JD1

Salary Range: $194,680 - $340,570

*Pay decisions are determined by multiple factors, including what the market is paying, a candidate’s capabilities and skills, years of experience, and internal equity.

Columbia Sportswear Company and our portfolio of brands, including Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear and prAna, know a thing or two about adventures. After all, we've been on one since 1938, working to perfect the art of enjoying the outdoors. Behind everything we make is an employee who's found that the greatest adventure starts with joining a company that strives to do the right thing.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company. 

Columbia Sportswear Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf. If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please notify your recruiter.

If you need an accommodation/adjustment to successfully complete and submit your application, please reach out to [email protected] with the Subject: Applicant Assistance Requested.