Wholesale & Channel Expansion Manager at League One Volleyball

Worldwide

JOB DESCRIPTION Title: Wholesale & Channel Expansion Manager   Department Code & Name: 501  Merchandise - Central FLSA Status: Exempt Location: Remote (U.S.-based) with occasional travel for site visits and business-related events    Job Level & Type: Level 3 - Individual Contributor About LOVB (League One Volleyball): League One Volleyball (LOVB) is reimagining women's sports. Launched in 2019, our company is a mission-led sports performance, training and media enterprise that will change the game of volleyball in the USA and empower new generations of female athletes.   It is a groundbreaking time for volleyball in the US with our historic triple Olympic Gold medals in Women's Indoor, Beach and Sitting Volleyball. Volleyball is already the #1 most played girls'  youth sport. There are 38M current and former players today. Of major sports, it's the only one that is women-first (~90% of players are female). But the volleyball market has been almost  entirely missed by traditional sports investors, brands, and media.   LOVB is capturing this opportunity by creating a strong club business, and from that built-in audience and fandom, is creating the best Pro League in the world and a digital ecosystem that will  connect all aspects of LOVB. This community-up approach will drive participation and fandom, while enabling greater empowerment for girls and young women living this amazing sport. In  this role, you will join a mission-driven, roll-up-your-sleeves team of innovators and builders who have come together to change the paradigm of professional volleyball and women’s sports.                        Job Summary: The Wholesale & Channel Expansion Manager will lead the strategy and execution of LOVB’s growth across external, non-owned channels. This role is responsible for bringing the LOVB brand to life beyond our direct ecosystem—identifying, securing, and managing wholesale and distribution partners that expand reach while maintaining brand integrity. You will sit at the intersection of merchandising, partnerships, and business development—building a thoughtful channel strategy that introduces LOVB to new audiences across sport, lifestyle, and retail environments. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Channel Strategy & Expansion * Define and execute LOVB’s wholesale and external channel strategy across sporting goods, specialty retail, lifestyle, and event-based partners  * Identify and prioritize high-impact partners that align with LOVB’s brand, audience, and growth goals  * Build a roadmap for channel expansion that complements (not competes with) owned channels  * Continuously evaluate market opportunities to expand brand reach and relevance   Partnership Development & Management * Source, pitch, and secure wholesale and distribution partnerships  * Lead end-to-end account management including onboarding, sell-in, and ongoing relationship management  * Negotiate commercial terms, pricing structures, and distribution agreements  * Act as the primary point of contact for all external retail partners  Merchandising & Assortment Strategy * Curate channel-specific assortments that reflect the needs of each partner while maintaining a cohesive brand story  * Partner with Product Merchandising to ensure assortments are optimized for different consumer segments and retail environments  * Ensure proper product positioning across tiers (youth, club, pro, lifestyle) within each channel  * Drive seasonal sell-in strategies and support partners with product storytelling  Brand Experience & Visual Execution * Ensure LOVB shows up consistently and premium across all external touch points  * Develop wholesale guidelines for visual merchandising, signage, and brand presentation  * Partner with Creative and Marketing to deliver assets that bring the brand to life in partner environments  * Conduct regular audits of partner execution to ensure alignment with brand standards  Performance & Operations * Own wholesale revenue targets, margin, and account performance  * Track and analyze sell-in and sell-through data to inform future strategy  * Partner with Planning and Operations to manage inventory allocation and fulfillment for wholesale accounts  * Identify opportunities to optimize distribution, pricing, and product mix  Required & Preferred Skills/Abilities: * Strong understanding of wholesale economics, pricing, and margin structures  * Excellent relationship-building and negotiation skills  * Highly strategic with strong analytical and financial acumen  * Ability to operate cross-functionally in a fast-paced, growth-stage environment  * Willingness to travel for partner meetings and market development  Education and Experience: * 5–8+ years of experience in wholesale, sales, business development, or channel expansion (apparel, sport, or lifestyle preferred)  * Proven track record of building and managing retail or distribution partnerships    What Success Looks Like * Strategic wholesale partnerships that expand LOVB’s reach while enhancing brand perception  * Strong, sustainable revenue growth across external channels  * Consistent, premium brand execution across all partner environments  * Thoughtful channel segmentation that avoids dilution or internal competition  * A scalable wholesale foundation that supports long-term growth    Personal Attributes   * Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities. * Solutions-oriented and able to identify when to escalate issues or challenges. * Strong collaborator with excellent verbal and written communication skills. * Capable of working independently while effectively partnering with a distributed, remote team. * Positive, proactive, organized, and creative - brings fresh ideas to problem-solving. * Highly adaptable and eager to learn in a rapidly evolving environment.   Work Environment & Physical Requirements (Remote): * Ability to operate a computer and use a keyboard, mouse, and video conferencing tools. * Ability to clearly communicate via video, phone, and written channels. * Occasional travel may be required for site visits and events. Why This Role Matters As LOVB grows, expanding beyond owned channels is critical to reaching new athletes, fans, and communities. This role ensures we do so intentionally building the brand in the right places, with the right partners, in a way that strengthens both awareness and equity.