General Manager North America

Propain Bikes Karriere•Vancouver, WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a passionate, dynamic General Manager to lead the North American business unit for Propain Bicycles at our headquarters in Vancouver Washington. The General Manager (GM) is the senior-most leader of Propain Bicycles USA LLC, based in Vancouver (WA), responsible for driving the company’s performance in the North American market. Reporting directly to the International CEO and working closely with the German headquarters, the GM will execute the agreed business plan, oversee daily operations, and represent the Propain brand in North America. This role requires a well-rounded leader with strong business acumen, operational understanding, and experience in the bicycle industry.

Requirements

Bachelors Degree and 10 years experience leading sales, marketing, operations and supply chain teams
Proven leadership experience in the bicycle industry or a closely related sector
Strong general management background with exposure to operations, sales, and finance
Strong understanding of global supply chains and sourcing, including transportation and freight markets
Strong understanding of lean manufacturing, just-in-time production and continuous improvement methodologies and tools
Solid understanding of financial principles (non-specialist level)
Experience working with ERP and e-commerce/webshop systems and third-party integrations
Demonstrated ability to execute business plans and deliver results
Experience working in an international company and cross-cultural environment
Hands-on, pragmatic leadership style
Strategic thinking with strong execution capability
Leadership and team development
Business and financial acumen
Operational excellence mindset
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
Self-driven and adaptable in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

Execute the business plan in alignment with global strategy and targets
Collaborate closely with German HQ on strategic initiatives, forecasting, and performance tracking
Identify growth opportunities and drive market expansion.
Act as the primary representative of Propain in the North American market.
Oversee daily operations including ERP order processing, production scheduling, personnel scheduling, production and quality management.
Supply chain forecasting, planning, financials and team leadership
Ensure efficient processes, high product quality, and on-time delivery
Maintain strong oversight of ERP and webshop systems to ensure stock availability, lead time and smooth end to end order fulfillment
Own end to end logistics processes including all import and export shipping systems, supply chain partners, logistics processes and associated contracts and financials
Lead and manage a team of approximately 17 salaried and hourly employees
Provide direction and support across Operations, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Sales and Marketing Teams
Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture
Evolve and refine roles/responsibilities (RACI), standard work and SOPs for US and US/Germany teams
Build and develop internal North American documentation libraries and standards
Handle core HR responsibilities locally (recruitment, development, performance management, payroll, benefits, compliance, etc.)
Work closely with the U.S.-based sales and marketing staff to develop and deliver the North American GTM strategy including product, pricing, promotion and profitability.
Ensure alignment with global sales and marketing strategies led by German HQ
Support execution of campaigns, brand positioning, and customer engagement initiatives
Maintain a strong understanding of financial performance, including revenue, costs, and profitability
Ensure the business stays on track to meet financial targets
Collaborate with the global controlling team on monthly reporting including liquidity planning and P&L monitoring.
Support budgeting, forecasting and pricing processes
Ensure effective use and monitoring of ERP and webshop systems
Maintain visibility across all business functions through data and reporting tools
Drive continuous improvement in processes and systems
Provide local IT support and leadership for devices, networks and critical business systems (ERP)
Ensure the smooth day-to-day functioning of the U.S. entity across all administrative areas
Oversee relationships and processes related to: Banking and cash management, Insurance policies and renewals, Legal and compliance requirements, Office management and general administration
Act as the primary point of contact for external service providers (e.g., insurers, banks, legal advisors)
Ensure all corporate obligations in the U.S. are met in a timely and compliant manner
Maintain organizational structure and documentation in the absence of a dedicated HR function
Identify and implement improvements in administrative processes and efficiency