Performance Technical Representative - Appalachians

Job Summary

The Performance Technical Representative supports sales growth and brand awareness for KEEN’s performance product categories within assigned territories. This role focuses on building strong relationships with run specialty, outdoor specialty, and strategic retail partners through product education, in-store engagement, and community-based events. The representative delivers product training to retail staff, supports consumer-facing activations and demonstrations, and collaborates with internal teams to ensure consistent communication and effective field execution. Through regular interaction with retail partners and consumers, this role also gathers market insights and provides feedback to support ongoing brand and product development initiatives.

Essential Functions

Description

• Responsible for assigned territory, helps drive sales and grow brand awareness with specialty and strategic retail partners.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with retail accounts to support brand growth by aligning product education and in-store engagement with retailer and consumer needs.
• Partner with Territory Managers to identify and support opportunities that strengthen brand presence and drive sell-through with retail partners.
• Deliver product education and training to retail staff and consumers on the features, benefits, and use cases of KEEN running, hiking, and performance sandal products.
• Develops in-store engagement activities that increase product awareness and maintain brand visibility within retail environments.
• Creates and executes new and exciting running events to drive sales and awareness growth in run specialty retailers.
• Represents KEEN at marketing events such as trail races, expos and trade shows both regionally and nationally.
• Works cross functionally with Sales, Marketing, Product and Merchandising teams to streamline communication and provide front line feedback.
• Maintains weekly and monthly reports on progress towards defined goals and pivots as needed with changing circumstances in the retail environment.

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 Marketing or related field preferred.
• Minimum three (3) years experience in retail, sales, account marketing, or customer service (running retail experience preferred).

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

• Deep knowledge of and connection to trail running and outdoor pursuits.• Genuine enthusiasm for outdoor culture and fostering the growth of the tribe.
• Strong presentation, public speaking, and interpersonal skills both in person and online.
• Self-motivated, entrepreneurial, and highly organized.
• Collaborative team player able to work well cross functionally and stay motivated when working alone.
• Proficient in Power point, Excel, Outlook, Word.
• Willing to travel 50% of the time.

Travel Required: Yes, up to 50% of the time.

MVR: Yes

As this is a sales role, regular travel within the assigned territory is required. Candidates should have reliable access to a personal vehicle suitable for year-round travel with ability to accommodate up to four (4) large sample bags, along with a valid United States driver’s license and appropriate auto insurance. A Motor Vehicle Report will be required and should have no driving restrictions noted. 

Base Salary: $90,000.00 - $95,000.00

This range represents the low and high ends of this position's anticipated base salary range. The actual base salary will depend on numerous factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, and location. Our base salary is just one component of our competitive total rewards strategy, which includes numerous benefits and perks as well as specific health and welfare benefits.

Please note: At this time, we are only able to hire candidates who, upon hire and throughout the duration of their employment, maintain their primary residence and work location in one of the following states:

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, or Wisconsin.

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.  

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.