Jan Gerfen
About Jan Gerfen
Jan Gerfen is the Sales Director for Emerging Markets and Distributors EEMEA at The North Face, a VF Company, where he has worked since 2019. He has extensive experience in sales and account management, having held various roles at notable companies including adidas and the Dallas Mavericks.
Current Role at The North Face
Jan Gerfen serves as the Sales Director for Emerging Markets & Distributors EEMEA at The North Face, a VF Company, since 2019. In this role, he focuses on expanding market presence and managing distributor relationships across the Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions. Additionally, he has held the position of Area Manager for Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa since 2015, overseeing sales strategies and operations in these markets.
Previous Experience at The North Face
Before his current roles, Jan Gerfen worked at The North Face as a Strategic Account Manager EMEA from 2011 to 2013 and as the Country Sales Manager for Austria and Switzerland in 2013. His responsibilities included managing key accounts and developing sales strategies tailored to the EMEA region, contributing to the brand's growth in these territories.
Career Background in Sports and Sales
Jan Gerfen's career includes significant experience in sales and account management across various companies. He worked as a Key Account Manager for Buying Groups at adidas from 2005 to 2011, where he was responsible for managing relationships with key retail partners. Prior to that, he served as an Assistant to the Managing Board at Polar Electro Oy from 2003 to 2005, gaining valuable insights into corporate operations.
Education in Sports Economics
Jan Gerfen studied Sports Economics at the University of Bayreuth from 1995 to 2001, earning a Diplom. This educational background provided him with a strong foundation in the economic principles related to the sports industry, which he has applied throughout his career in various roles.
Early Career at Dallas Mavericks
Jan Gerfen began his career as a Trainee with the Dallas Mavericks in 2001, where he worked for 11 months. This early experience in a professional sports organization helped shape his understanding of the sports market and laid the groundwork for his future roles in sales and account management.