About the job Managing Director, North America
Background
Our client, a rapidly expanding global lifestyle brand, is seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead and accelerate their North American business operations. As one of the fastest-growing companies, this organization has achieved remarkable success across multiple international markets and is now positioned for aggressive expansion in the strategically crucial North American region.
The North America division represents a cornerstone of Konny's global growth strategy, with significant investment commitments and ambitious revenue targets set for the next 3-5 years. This role offers an extraordinary opportunity to build and scale a high-impact regional business from the ground up, with full P&L responsibility and substantial autonomy to drive market penetration and brand establishment.
The successful candidate will join a dynamic, innovation-driven organization that values entrepreneurial thinking, data-driven decision making, and customer-centric approaches. This position offers exceptional career growth potential within a company experiencing exponential global expansion, with direct exposure to senior leadership and cross-functional collaboration opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Business Development
- Develop and execute comprehensive market entry and growth strategies for North America, including competitive analysis, market positioning, and long-term business planning
- Own full P&L responsibility for the North American region, including revenue targets, profitability goals, and budget management across all business functions
- Establish and optimize strategic brand positioning to become a market leader in the North American parenting products space, with authority to make key business decisions and resource allocation
Operational Excellence & Team Leadership
- Build, manage, and scale a high-performing local team across sales, marketing, customer experience, and operations functions
- Oversee end-to-end business operations including inventory management, supply chain coordination, and customer service delivery
- Establish and optimize key partnerships with distributors, retailers, and strategic business partners to accelerate market penetration
Revenue Growth & Market Expansion
- Drive aggressive revenue growth across multiple channels including direct-to-consumer, Amazon marketplace, and retail partnerships
- Implement data-driven marketing and sales strategies to increase brand awareness, customer acquisition, and lifetime value
- Identify and capitalize on new business opportunities, market segments, and strategic partnerships to maximize growth potential
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Maintain close partnership with the company's global headquarters and cross-functional teams including product development, brand management, finance, and customer experience
- Provide market insights and customer feedback to inform global product strategy and brand positioning
- Ensure alignment between local market needs and global brand standards and business objectives
Key Qualifications
Essential Experience
- Minimum 7-10 years of senior management experience in consumer goods, with proven track record of building and scaling businesses in North American markets
- Demonstrated success in P&L management with responsibility for multi-million dollar revenue targets and profitability outcomes
- Strong background in e-commerce and digital marketing, with deep understanding of direct-to-consumer strategies, Amazon marketplace optimization, and omnichannel retail approaches
- Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams, with experience in recruiting, developing, and retaining top talent in competitive markets
Core Competencies
- Native or near-native English proficiency with exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with experience in data-driven decision making and performance optimization
- Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments while maintaining focus on execution and results
- Cultural adaptability and experience working effectively with international teams and cross-cultural business environments
Preferred Qualifications
- Background with global consumer brands, particularly in fashion, or lifestyle categories
- Previous experience as General Manager, Country Manager, or Managing Director in North American markets for international brands
- Proven track record in brand building, marketing strategy, and customer acquisition in competitive consumer markets
- Experience in retail partnership development, including both online and offline channel expansion
- MBA or equivalent advanced degree with strong business acumen and strategic thinking capabilities
- Genuine passion for the company's mission and products, with deep understanding of modern parenting needs and lifestyle trends
Ideal Candidate Profile We are seeking a visionary leader who combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution capabilities. The ideal candidate will have successfully launched or scaled consumer brands in North America, with particular strength in digital-first marketing approaches and e-commerce growth strategies. This person should demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities, cultural intelligence, and the flexibility to adapt to our dynamic, growth-oriented environment while maintaining strong business fundamentals and customer focus.