Chris McKearin
Sales and Marketing Leader · Salomon
Ogden, UT
In My Own Words
Innovation seeking commercial leader with expertise in omni-channel sales, product development, and marketing strategy. Over my career, I’ve driven growth by crafting actionable, data-informed strategies that build market leadership across local, regional, and global markets. Mountain biking and alpine skiing are my passions and I have been exceptionally fortunate to have turned these passions into a career. Some of the impacts I've made in my previous roles:
• Leading Salomon North American go-to-market strategy for $75M business
• Launching industry disrupting products such as the S/LAB Shift ski binding and S/Pro ski boot franchise
• Winning exclusive partnerships with Vail and Snowbasin resorts
I thrive on creating innovative solutions that align teams, inspire trust, and deliver measurable results. I live and breathe mountain sports and have been called a gravity savant by nearly a dozen colleagues.
Work Experience
Senior Manager, North America Commercial
Salomon2020 – 2024
•Led $75m North American go-to-market strategy managing sales force, forecasting and budget yielding 12% EBIT, highest contributor in the Salomon sport portfolio •Managed data-backed product development glidepaths achieving market leadership with winning product launches and sustainable refresh cycles •6% compound annual growth rate in flat market and #1 US Alpine brand positioning
Senior Manager, North America Winter Sports Marketing
Salomon2022 – 2024
• Developed WSE playbook unifying Alpine, Nordic, Protective and Snowboard categories and leveraging portfolio for resort and key account partnerships • Negotiated exclusive Vail rental partnership earning #1 Alpine hardgoods partner • Secured exclusive Snowbasin rental partnership for Alpine and Snowboard • Led creation of winter sports consumer profiles, sharpening communication, targeting valuable younger demographic, and guiding promotional campaigns
Currently in a career transition
Country Commercial Manager
Salomon2013 – 2020
• Increased ASPs and margins achieving sustainable year-over-year growth through program development, forecasting, account management, and pricing innovation • Created SKU performance database improving inventory management, profitability, sales channel penetration, and a market leading development glidepath • Co-developed QST ski range reducing ski SKUs 30% and growing retail ski sales 30%
International Freeski Sports Marketing Manager
Atomic Austria GmbH2011 – 2013
• Crafted sports marketing and product development strategy reaching younger consumer target and driving significant global growth in alpine hardgoods • Managed €1.3M budget, securing sponsorships, hosting events, and launching high-profile media campaigns • Developed park and pipe competition program producing 3 Olympic medals and extensive media exposure during the 2014 Sochi Games
