Sales Manager - Footwear

Coats is a world leader in thread manufacturing and structural components for apparel and footwear, as well as an innovative pioneer in performance materials. These critical solutions are used to create a wide range of products, including ones that provide safety and protection for people, data, and the environment. Headquartered in the UK, Coats is a FTSE250 company and a FTSE4Good Index constituent. Revenues in 2022 were $1.6bn.

Trusted by the world's leading companies to deliver vital, innovative, and sustainable solutions, Coats provides value-adding products including apparel, accessory and footwear threads, structural components for footwear and accessories, fabrics, yarns, and software applications. Customer partners include companies from the apparel, footwear, automotive, telecoms, personal protection, and outdoor goods industries.

With a proud heritage dating back more than 250 years and spirit of evolution to constantly stay ahead of changing market needs, Coats has operations across some 50 countries with a workforce of over 17,000, serving its customers worldwide.

Coats connects talent, textiles, and technology, to make a better and more sustainable world. Worldwide, there are three dedicated Coats Innovation Hubs, where experts collaborate with partners to create the materials and products of tomorrow. It participates in the UN Global Compact and is committed to Science Based sustainability targets for 2030 and beyond, with a goal of achieving net-zero by 2050. Coats is also committed to achieving its goals in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, workplace health & safety, employee & community wellbeing, and supplier social performance.

Sales Manager India

Location: Chennai

Role Purpose:

• Lead the Footwear commercial agenda in India, driving sustainable revenue and margin growth while building a high-performing commercial team through people development and commercial excellence
• Partner with the Sales Head to deliver long-term business growth aligned with Coats’ strategic priorities.

What you will do (Key Responsibilities):

Commercial Strategy & Market Leadership

• Set and execute the strategy to ensure growth, profitability, and competitiveness.
• Assess market, customer, and competitive dynamics to identify growth opportunities and shape strategic interventions.

Revenue, Margin & Portfolio Performance

• Deliver annual revenue, gross margin, and EBIT targets.
• Govern pricing discipline, product-mix optimization, and margin improvement.
• Improve forecasting accuracy and business planning in collaboration with Finance and Supply Chain.

Customer & Key Account Leadership

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key dealers.
• Develop channel capability and improve distributor/dealer productivity.

Commercial Execution & Excellence

• Optimize go-to-market with the right value proposition for the right segment, ensure agility and competitiveness
• Support successful execution of product launches, promotional programs, and commercial initiatives.
• Lead adoption of digital and data-driven tools to enhance commercial execution.

Risk, Governance & Compliance

• Manage commercial risks related to pricing, credit, contracts, and market volatility.
• Ensure compliance with commercial policies, governance standards, and the Business Code of Conduct.
• Maintain clear KPIs, dashboards, and transparent reporting.

Leadership, Talent & Organizational Development

• Build and develop a high-performing sales team aligned with commercial Excellence standards.
• Strengthen leadership capabilities, succession pipelines, and technical sales competencies.
• Foster a culture of accountability, growth mindset, and cross-functional collaboration.

Key Output:

1. Revenue & Growth – Achievement of annual sales targets, new customer acquisition, and sustainable growth.
2. Margin & Profitability – Improving gross margin, disciplined pricing, and optimized product mix.
3. Customer Leadership – Strengthened key account relationships, share gains and customer retention.
4. Governance & Compliance – Effective risk management, forecasting accuracy, and policy compliance.
5. Talent & Capability – Strong leadership pipeline and improved team capability and performance.

Who you are (Requirements):

• Post Graduate degree, fluent English
• 5+ years in Sales, including 3+ in senior leadership roles
• Proven strategic commercial leadership and change management experience
• Strong communication, commercial judgment, and stakeholder influence
• Demonstrated leadership in Commercial Excellence, customer value creation, and cross-functional alignment
• High integrity; capable of leading through volatile environments
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Self-motivated and Growth mindset

What will set you apart (Nice to Have):

• Experience in managing large scale sales network.
• Track record of closing sales and delivering on profit commitments, especially in fast growing / scale-up environment.

Coats is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to ensuring employment practices that promote diversity across its workforce. We are dedicated to creating a workplace that values and respects the unique perspectives, experiences, skills, and backgrounds of all employees.We encourage talented individuals from all walks of life to join us in shaping an inclusive and forward-thinking organisation.

If this role aligns with your experience and ambitions, we encourage you to apply.

Role Purpose:

• Lead the Footwear commercial agenda in India, driving sustainable revenue and margin growth while building a high-performing commercial team through people development and commercial excellence
• Partner with the Sales Head to deliver long-term business growth aligned with Coats’ strategic priorities.