Vice President, General Manager (Packs Americas)

Now that you’ve found the job description, what’s next?

At Eastpak, JanSport and Kipling, we are three unique brands that embody the same spirit of self-expression and discovery.  We’re built to resist whatever life throws at us, to express ourselves as individuals, and inspire positive resistance.  We put our people first. We always have and we always will. It is ingrained in our DNA. Good people bring out the good in people, and good people are the foundation of this brand.

So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of people who express ourselves with the bags we carry and who believe in new experiences, living a life of positivity, and discovering our own way, Eastpak, JanSport and Kipling just may be the place for you.

To learn more about our values and our culture, visit www.eastpak.com, www.jansport.com or www.kipling-usa.com.

Vice President, General Manager (Packs Americas)

What will you do?

A day in the life of a Vice President, General Manager on the Americas Eastpak, JanSport and Kipling Commercial Team looks a little like this.

As part of Packs Global and Americas Leadership Team, the Vice President, General Manager – Packs Americas will provide leadership and vision to drive the region’s business by creating and executing each brand’s strategies in digital, retail and wholesale distribution channels.  You are a collaborative leader who drives revenue growth and operating contribution while managing assets.  You will lead business development and strategic direction as well as provide dynamic, visible and inspirational leadership to positively impact business initiatives.  You will report to the President, Global Packs and manage teams that include business planning, marketing, digital, retail, and sales in the United States, Canada and Latin America.  

Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more.

• Responsible for the overall digital, retail, wholesale distribution for Packs Americas (Eastpak, JanSport, and Kipling) business, including full P&L responsibility 
• Set high expectations and create an environment that maximizes results, achieves strategic and financial plans, and motivates people to succeed 
• Collaborate with each brand’s leadership teams and the Amer regional leadership team on the 3-year, 5-year, and seasonal strategy 
• Implement regionally relevant innovation and product concepts into the territory teams through the global product engine 
• Direct the development and execution of strategy that maximizes the performance of all functional areas within the Americas region, i.e., merchandising, inventory management, store and wholesale management, operations, finance, marketing 
• Hire, develop and motivate a talented team while building a strong bench for critical roles 
• Develop effective working relationships with senior level management at major customers, including national retailers and department stores  
• Establish and uphold each brand's distribution segmentation strategy for sustainable brand growth
• Develop key relationships with the cross-functional and cross-regional leaders, and other VF leadership stakeholders 
• Provide direction on consumer needs for the Americas region through the product creation and development process 
• Collaborate with senior management in finance, legal, digital technology and human resources to develop strategy and long-range business plans
• Anticipate market needs or events and their implications on the consumer and the business; provide vision, direction, focus and motivation; scan the environment, gather and share information needed to solve problems and make informed decisions in a deliberate manner 
• Through actions and example, ensure that each brand’s values are fully incorporated into business strategies and consumer messaging, upholding the values of the company in all business interactions and acting as a visible leader in promoting corporate social responsibility initiatives. 

What do you need to succeed?

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. You are high-caliber retail executive with fifteen years or more of progressive experience with five to seven years of managerial experience in multi-channel equipment / accessories brands.  The ideal sectors would be outdoor, fashion and lifestyle however, other strongly brand-driven sectors could also be appropriate. 

The foundation skills you will need in this position are:

• Experience leading a business of similar size, scale, and complexity with a track record of financial turnaround strategies
• Proven success in wholesale, retail, and digital operations for multi-category specialty retail
• Strong background in brand management, product merchandising, and retail development
• Previous success leading large, diverse teams across geographies
• Demonstrated ability to drive significant change management and transformation
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills to make sound brand and financial decisions
• Professional maturity to follow brand strategies, analyze performance, and manage budgets and projections
• Proven accomplishments in the region with solid general management experience and strong commercial acumen
• Dynamic presentation skills with the ability to be convincing and passionate
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills to work effectively in a team-oriented, matrixed, multi-cultural environment
• Ability to manage relationships across all levels with attention to detail and follow-through
• Confident yet humble leadership style with superior mentoring, coaching, and team development skills
• Effective listening skills, openness to new ideas, and collaborative approach
• Deep understanding of lifestyle brands, consumer behavior, competitor landscape, and market trends
• Excellent knowledge of major markets in the region and ability to evaluate new opportunities and define strategies
• Ability to set high expectations, maximize results, and motivate teams to achieve strategic and financial goals
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time

What do we offer you?

At Eastpak, JanSport and Kipling, we know you expect as much from us as we do from you. That is why we make a commitment to support and grow our people. We offer extensive development and growth opportunities for your current and future positions, a competitive compensation package, and a strong benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).

Our commitment extends beyond this and into your daily work life. We strive to foster a diverse and inclusive culture based on respect, connection, and authenticity. Our focus on DEI is at the foundation of who we are and what we do.

To learn more about our benefits package, follow this MyVFBenefits.com and click “Looking to Join VF”.

To learn more about our Diversity and Inclusion efforts, go to www.eastpak.com, www.jansport.com or www.kipling-usa.com.

Now WE have a question for YOU.

Are you in?

Hiring Range:

$286,000.00 USD - $357,500.00 USD annually

Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.

Long-Term Incentive Potential: This position is eligible to participate in a Long-Term Incentive Plan. Specific details of the plan will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.

Benefits at VF Corporation: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com  and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.

Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.

At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at peopleservices@vfc.com. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law.

Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.