Sr. Business Development Manager

Job Summary

The Sr. Business Development Manager leads the strategic and operational management of KEEN’s international distributor business, serving as a senior relationship owner and cross-functional partner for distributor markets. This role evaluates complex market, sales, inventory, and operational data to identify growth opportunities, resolve barriers, and recommend actions that improve distributor performance and commercial outcomes. The Sr. Business Development Manager leads distributor performance reporting, inventory and at-once order strategies, and market-development planning, including evaluation and implementation planning for new countries, distributors, and marketplaces. Working closely with the VP, International Distributors and key internal partners, this role shapes regional priorities, strengthens distributor relationships through regular market engagement, and advances KEEN’s international business objectives. This role also functions as key support for the VP and represents the department in key internal meetings and presentations.

Essential Functions

Description

• Leads strategic relationship management and operating governance for international distributors, serving as a senior escalation point for complex commercial, operational, and service issues. Establishes effective communication rhythms, identifies recurring barriers, and drives cross-functional resolution to strengthen distributor performance and partner experience.
• Leads complex, cross-functional analyses and special projects that support international distributor strategy and operational effectiveness. Applies sound judgment to evaluate variable factors, develop practical recommendations, and influence decisions across Sales, Planning, Finance, Operations, and leadership.
• Leads analysis and planning for international distributor expansion and market-development opportunities. Partners with senior leadership to assess target markets, define entry requirements and operating models, and develop implementation roadmaps for new countries, distributors, and marketplaces.
• Partners with U.S. Demand Planning and cross-functional stakeholders to develop inventory and allocation strategies for distributor markets. Synthesizes demand, inventory, sell-through, and market intelligence to recommend actions that optimize product availability, closeout opportunities, and commercial outcomes.
• Owns the distributor at-once order strategy and related operating processes, balancing inventory availability, market priorities, service requirements, and commercial objectives. Identifies process risks and improvement opportunities and implements solutions that improve execution and partner responsiveness.
• Develops and evolves distributor performance reporting, dashboards, and analytical frameworks. Interprets sales, inventory, forecast, and operational data to identify trends, risks, and growth opportunities and translates findings into clear recommendations for leadership and business partners. Manages the team project tracker and keeps the whole team abreast of relevant developments and updates.

Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without cause.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Analytical Sciences, or related field required.
• Master's Degree (MBA) or similar certification preferred.
• Four (4) to five (5) years of international business management experience required, footwear preferred. Additional retail management experience is a plus.

Any equivalent combination of experience and education which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position may substitute on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced analytical, strategic thinking, and organizational skills, with the ability to evaluate complex operational information and translate findings into actionable business recommendations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to develop and evaluate profitability, pricing, inventory, and market-expansion scenarios using Excel-based financial and business models.
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and relationship-management skills, with the ability to influence and communicate effectively across cultures, functions, and levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional and cross-cultural initiatives without direct authority, aligning stakeholders around shared commercial and operational objectives.
• Strong cultural awareness and judgment in building trusted distributor and business-partner relationships across diverse international markets.
• Broad understanding of international business operations in Asian markets, including distributor management, pricing, customer dynamics, freight forwarding, and supply chain considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead footwear planning, demand, inventory, and sell-through analysis activities.
• Working knowledge of SAP or comparable ERP systems; ability to use system data to support planning, inventory, and commercial decision-making.
• Knowledge of strategic planning methods and the ability to contribute to market, distributor, and regional growth plans.
• Ability to interpret and analyze profit and loss statements and other financial performance measures to assess business performance, risks, and growth opportunities.
• Language proficiency: Japanese, Korea, Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese or Taiwanese), or Spanish preferred.

Travel Required: Yes, up to 20% of the time, both domestic and international travel.

Base Salary: $102,300 - $108,100 yearly

The salary range posted for this position represents the anticipated hiring range for this role. Offers are made within this range based on factors such as relevant experience, skills, education, internal equity, and market considerations. This is the hiring range for the position; compensation above the posted maximum is not typically available at the time of offer.

Work Location: Hybrid

This role is based in the Portland, OR area and follows a hybrid work model. Employees are expected to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of our Portland office and generally work on-site four days per week, with flexibility based on business and team needs.

Why Work at KEEN:  Driven by a passion for life outside, KEEN is a values-led, independently owned brand from Portland, Oregon, that’s on a mission to create original and versatile products, improve lives, and inspire outside adventure. Founded in 2003, KEEN launched a revolution in the footwear industry with the introduction of the Newport adventure sandal and has donated more than $18 million to non-profit organizations and causes around the world to promote responsible outdoor recreation, including conservation efforts to protect open spaces. KEEN strives to show the world through its products and its actions that a business for good can actually be good for business. By giving back, reducing impact, and activating communities and individuals to protect the places where we work and play, KEEN puts its values in motion and takes action to leave the world a better place.  

At KEEN, we believe in a more just and equitable future for all people. As a global brand, we acknowledge that our business, buildings, and daily lives exist within the traditional territories of indigenous peoples. We strive for a future that recognizes the knowledge, rights, and resilience of these peoples.

Fuerst Group, KEEN, and Chrome are equal opportunity employers.  We value an inclusive and diverse community. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.