National Sales Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE

Rudy Project North America (RPNA) is the North American subsidiary of Rudy Project, an Italian sports performance brand recognized for premium eyewear and helmets engineered for cyclists, triathletes, runners, and outdoor athletes.

The Sales Manager is RPNA’s senior commercial leader — responsible for revenue growth across both the optical and sport retail channels, and for the teams and systems that support them. This role owns B2B sport retail and optical sales, distribution, inside sales, customer service, and sales operations, including pricing, forecasting, and e-commerce oversight. It is a player-coach position: equal parts strategic leadership and hands-on execution.

The Sales Manager leads a team of 3 full-time employees and a small network of independent sales representatives, and reports directly to the General Manager.

This role is based on-site in San Clemente, CA.

RESPONSIBILITIES

B2B Sport Retail Sales & New Channel Development

Grow the sport retail footprint — open new doors and build partnerships that last.

• Own B2B sport retail sales across cycling specialty, triathlon, run, and outdoor retail accounts
• Proactively identify and open new distribution channels and retail partnerships, expanding RPNA’s reach beyond existing accounts
• Develop sell-in strategies and seasonal programs that align with retail buying cycles and category opportunities
• Develop an independent reps program covering the sport retail channel
• Represent RPNA at trade shows, industry events, and key account meetings relevant to the sport retail channel

B2C Customer Service & Inside Sales Support

Keep the consumer experience sharp and the inside sales function running smoothly.

• Oversee B2C customer service operations, ensuring consumers receive fast, knowledgeable support across all channels
• Manage and develop inside sales team members handling both B2C inquiries and inbound B2B support
• Set service standards and monitor performance metrics across the customer service function
• Identify recurring consumer issues and partner with Operations and the Italian parent company to address root causes

B2B Optical Sales

Own the optical channel — grow revenue, manage the rep network, and build the dealer base.

• Drive B2B optical sales across independent optical dealers, optometrists, and optical retail accounts
• Manage and develop the independent sales rep network: recruiting, onboarding, training, territory management, and performance accountability
• Lead inside optical sales, supporting the team in quoting, closing, and account management
• Build and maintain relationships with key optical accounts, serving as an escalation point and strategic partner
• Identify and pursue new optical dealer opportunities to expand RPNA’s prescription eyewear distribution

Optical Customer Service, Training, & Lab Fulfillment

Ensure optical accounts and consumers are supported with the expertise the channel demands.

• Oversee the optical customer service function, ensuring RX cases, dealer inquiries, and warranty issues are resolved accurately and promptly
• Develop and deliver product and RX training for optical dealers, inside staff, and independent reps
• Monitor the optical lab fulfillment process, holding lab partners accountable to quality and turnaround standards
• Collaborate with the Italian parent company on optical product development, providing North American market input on RX frame and lens priorities

Sales Operations

Own the infrastructure that makes the sales org run — pricing, forecasting, targets, and e-commerce.

• Lead pricing strategy and implementation across optical and sport retail channels, balancing margin, market positioning, and dealer relationships
• Own the sales forecasting process, working with Operations and Finance to align inventory and purchasing with demand
• Set sales targets and design incentive structures for the inside team and independent rep network
• Oversee e-commerce sales activity and discounting, ensuring promotions and pricing are consistent with channel strategy and brand standards
• Build and maintain sales reporting and dashboards that give the GM and leadership team clear visibility into performance

REQUIREMENTS

• 5 years of B2B sales experience, with demonstrated success managing accounts and growing revenue
• Experience managing a team, including setting goals, coaching performance, and developing people
• Experience managing or working closely with independent sales representatives
• Strong commercial instincts — comfortable owning pricing decisions, forecasting, and sales target-setting
• Proven ability to open new accounts and distribution channels, not just manage existing ones
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across dealers, reps, and internal teams
• Ability to work on-site in San Clemente, CA

Highly Preferred

• Experience in optical, eyewear, or a related product category
• Familiarity with the sport retail channel — cycling specialty, triathlon, outdoor, or action sports
• Experience overseeing a customer service function or inside sales team
• Comfort with e-commerce operations and working within a broader omnichannel sales strategy
• Experience working with or reporting into an international parent company or HQ team
• Existing relationships within the North American optical dealer or sport retail landscape