Global Sales Director

We believe we can offer a unique opportunity to lead international sales at the Norwegian designer brand Moods of Norway.

The company has seen revenues double every year since the start in 2003, and in 2010 sales exceeded NOK 200 million. We have also enjoyed significant growth so far this year. The products are sold both through own brand stores, webshop and 3rd party retailers. The biggest market is Norway, followed by the US. Currently, the company has 12 brand stores including one in Los Angeles, and more are being considered.

The company originally started with men's suiting and streetwear, but has gradually extended its product range into women's wear, shoes and accessories. This fall Moods will launch their own line of sportswear - initially focusing on ski wear. Category expansion is expected to continue also outside apparel in categories that fit with brand values and brand position - the company aims to be a broader lifestyle brand. Last year, a range of watches was launched, and currently several new product lines are being developed.

So far, the company has grown without conventional paid marketing such as TV, printed media or billboards, but rather focused on events, word of mouth and social media. Marketing mix will be a key parameter in pursuing international growth opportunities.

During the past years of strong growth, the organization has grown from the three founders to currently more than 100.

Tasks

• This position will be part of the company management team, and reports to CEO Nils Are Karstad Lysø. The hub of the sales team is the company's office in Hegdehaugsveien, Oslo. Key priorities will include:
• Head up the sales work in the EU together with the newly employed head of European Sales. This includes continuously prioritizing our organizational resources across countries, evaluating and supporting negotiations with European business partners such as distributors, agents and key accounts.
• Lead and structure the Norwegian sales team, setting and following up performance targets and continuously building a stronger sales team across an increasing number of product categories.
• Oversee the sales team in the US, and ensure that our sales work in the US and Europe is well coordinated, and that the combined priorities and requirements of our global sales are prioritized and communicated towards the rest of the organization, e.g., design and production.
• Overall sales leadership across distribution channels, incl. optimizing sales efforts across e-commerce in Europe and the US vs. own retail and 3rd party resellers.

Language

• English
• Norwegian

Personal qualities

• High integrity and strong result-orientation
• Entrepreneurial, high energy, leading from the front
• Pro-active and self-going / self-motivating
• High performance standards to both yourself and your colleagues in terms of both quality, deadlines and structure
• Team-player, with communicative and open leadership style
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities

  

Are you the one?

• Do you have an interest for design, fashion and sports?

• Are you a commercial sales leader, with documented results from introducing a new brand into a new market in Europe and/or USA?

• Do you have any experience in selling to consumer markets via 3rd party distributors?

• Do you get energy from visiting and prioritizing a large set of opportunities across territories?

• Are you motivated by building and leading excellent sales teams across geographies?

• Does the prospect of joining us in building a unique international lifestyle brand make your heart beat faster and make your grandma proud?

• Then you could be the one Moods of Norway seeks to lead our sales work globally!

Education level

• Academy college / University

In the creative cellars of the picturesque town of Stryn, Norway (pop. 7100), two local designers Simen Staalnacke and Peder Børresen, upon homecoming from years of global travels, nights of sizzling cocktails, and international studies; gave birth to a concept soon to be known, worn, and adored, as The Moods of Norway. Soon the duo met up with the third musketeer, Stefan Dahlkvist and drew their lines for the coming collections. 

The brand still has its headquarters and showroom in the town of Stryn, a magical place known for glaciers, salmon fishing and one newly opened escalator. 

Moods of Norway has been doing the hibbedy-dibbedy on the international fashion dance floor since 2003, the philosophy is still the same even though the Norwegian oil price is as flexible as an Bulgarian gymnast after 14 tequila shots. Our main goal, besides making our grandmas happy, is to make happy clothes for happy people around the world. 

As of this golden minute, Moods of Norway is represented in the most polished boutiques and by the finest agents in Norway, Sweden, Benelux, Switzerland, Spain, Japan and USA among others. Stefan, Peder and Simen are still commandeering golden tractors around the world and are creating outrageous stories and super duper collections at an alarming rate. 

Welcome to Our Universe!