THE ROLE

As VP Gear, you'll take on one of Canyon's biggest untapped growth opportunities - building out a fast-growing category with significant headroom. You will lead Canyon's Gear category - spanning Bike Parts & Accessories and Equipment (apparel, footwear, and helmets) - and report directly to Roman Arnold, Executive Chairman & Founder. You'll share responsibility for the category's commercial performance, with the ability to directly steer and influence P&L outcomes, working in close collaboration with our other Categories (Mountain, Road, Urban) and in a matrix setup with R&D, Marketing and Digital to bring the right products to market. This is a high-visibility, high-autonomy role at the heart of Canyon's strategy, based on site at our HQ in Koblenz, Germany.

YOUR JOB AS PART OF THE CANYON CREW

• Set the Strategy: Develop and execute a clear vision and strategy for the Gear category - with full ownership of portfolio decisions - that aligns with our Categories (Mountain, Road, Urban) as well as Canyon's overall business.
• Own the Business: Share responsibility for the category's commercial performance, with the ability to directly steer and influence P&L outcomes, ensuring sustainable profitability and growth.
• Build the Portfolio: Drive and shape the global product portfolio and roadmap across Bike Parts & Accessories and Equipment (apparel, footwear, helmets) - right product, right price, right time.
• Lead GEAR Storytelling: Partner with the CMO to position the Gear category with a strong and distinct brand voice.
• Champion the Customer: Keep the rider at the heart of everything - optimize the customer journey and drive loyalty through smart, rider-first initiatives.
• Forecast with Precision: Deliver accurate, data-driven demand planning in close collaboration with Demand Planning and Finance.
• Connect the Dots: Work across teams to ensure organizational alignment - from Product and Marketing to Design, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Digital.
• Lead the Team: Inspire and empower your team of 5 - spanning Product Management (Helmets, Apparel, Parts & Accessories) and Business & Demand Planning - providing direction, development, and clarity while fostering collaboration and ownership.

HOW YOU BECOME PART OF THE RACE

• Leadership Experience: You bring around 8-12 years of experience in the cycling, sporting goods, or consumer product industries, with a track record in category ownership, team leadership, and commercial responsibility - whether as an established category leader or as an ambitious First-Line leader ready for the next step up.
• Educational Background: You hold a degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or related. An MBA or similar advanced qualification is a plus.
• Strategic and Operational Drive: You're hands-on by nature - equally comfortable setting strategic direction and rolling up your sleeves to execute it. You lead from the front, not from the sidelines.
• Product and Market Know-how: You bring a strong background in Bike Parts & Accessories, ideally combined with an understanding of Equipment (apparel, footwear, helmets), along with deep insight into product development, consumer trends, and market dynamics.
• Financial Fluency: You're confident in managing budgets and forecasts and know how to use financial data to drive smart decisions and category performance.
• Innovation Mindset: You're always looking ahead - spotting trends, embracing innovation, and pushing for continuous improvement.
• Global Perspective: You've worked across international markets and understand how to adapt strategies for different regions and customer needs.
• Communication Strength: You're a clear and confident communicator in both English and German - someone who can align teams, influence stakeholders, and inspire others.
• Passion for the Ride: You live and breathe cycling. You connect with our customers and culture because you're one of them.