The outdoor outfitter Jack Wolfskin Geräte für Draussen GmbH & Co. KGaA has introduced the new manager for one of its key markets. On Wednesday, Matthew Jung will take over the post of General Manager China, the company announced on Monday. The 48-year-old American succeeds Karen Chang, who will leave Jack Wolfskin in March.
In his new function, Jung, who has lived in Asia since 1997, will be “responsible for implementing the company’s new strategic brand orientation with the claim ‘We Live to Discover’ and for developing Jack Wolfskin’s omnichannel strategy in China” and directly report to CEO Richard Collier, according to a statement. Since entering the market in 2008, the country has “developed into one of the brand’s most important sales regions,” explained the company, which has belonged to the US sporting goods group Callaway Golf since 2019.
According to his new employer, Jung has “held managerial positions in the Asia-Pacific market for almost 25 years”. During this time he held various management positions at the US company Nike Inc. in the region. Most recently, he managed the local operations of the Converse group brand as VP and General Manager Converse Asia Pacific.
Joe Flannery, Executive Vice President, Apparel and Soft Goods, at Callaway Golf, justified the personnel decision: “With his many years of experience in the sporting goods industry in the Asia-Pacific region, Matthew Jung has a deep understanding of the Chinese market,” he explained in a Message. “He has a compelling track record and valuable experience in leading international teams and successfully positioning global brands in Asia.” The company has “high expectations of this market” and is “confident that Matthew Jung will help Jack Wolfskin Realize its potential by building on the momentum that Karen Chang has created for the brand over the past few years,” said Flannery.