Head of Retail UK & Ireland - Hermès Parfums & Beauté

Based 2/3 days per week in our London Office, the Head of Retail position is an integral role within the Perfumes & Beauty Leadership Team structure covering the UK and Ireland. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering the retail growth strategy across the UK & Ireland in Consultant, Non-Consultant and Hermès GB Stores. She/he will lead by example, motivating, empowering and coaching the Retail Team and providing clear direction and development. Acting as Brand Ambassador for Hermès Parfums through frequent store visits, providing a natural ability to inspire and engage our teams and retailers alike. This role suits a commercially astute profile with a drive to achieve optimal results along with a genuine understanding of the luxury retail business.

Core responsibilities:

• Strategic Direction: Work with the Managing Director and Commercial Manager to set the vision, strategy and sales target within the retail remit for each retail partner, outlining the ambitions to improve sales and profit, and initiatives needed to achieve those ambitions. Regularly review progress to ensure objectives are on track and set action plans as appropriate.
• Team Development & Management: Lead, coach and motivate the retail team to deliver great results and create a high performing retail workforce by working closely with the Regional Manager for the Midlands & North, and taking direct line management responsibility for the London/surrounding store teams. Develop the skills and capabilities of the team at both a group and an individual level, and build a succession plan for long term development. Work closely with the Commercial Manager, National Training Manager and HR on areas around recruitment, engagement, salary reviews, performance management and training and development for the retail population.
• Retail Operations: Work closely with the Marketing and Operations team, ensuring a consistent brand image on counter and self select through retail excellence, driving retailer engagement, and cascading this information to the Regional Manager. Drive operational efficiency and effectiveness on counter and self select, through in store implementation, follow up and innovation. Ensure implementation of training guidelines throughout the retail estate. Ensure consistently high VM standards are maintained.
• Targeting, Analysis & Forecasting: Prepare timely, accurate and meaningful sales reporting highlighting risks and opportunities for growth. Set up, monitor and adjust individual Retail Targets and KPI’s by store, working with the Regional Sales Manager to oversee those set for his/her region. Manage the process of setting and reviewing HPGB overall retail sales targets with the Commercial Manager and Managing Director as well as store targets. Recommend, monitor and analyse animation and launch targets. Drive the use of Happy Retail in store to deliver business targets.
• Productivity: Work with the Regional Manager to measure, track and enhance retail sales productivity in all stores, via recommendation of optimum staffing levels, stock levels, assortment and tactical sales action plans. Recommend level of temporary staffing and manage relevant budget and agencies. Prepare and implement exciting and cost effective incentives for key launches to maximise retail performance. Turn business insights into action plans to deliver retail growth; identify on an ongoing basis opportunities to enhance and resolve issues which are affecting retail performance. Define, monitor and prepare KPIs reporting to ensure continued improvement and growth.
• Business: Review the Distribution Strategy together with the Marketing Manager, Commercial Manager and Managing Director. Produce ad-hoc reports and support the team for key negotiations with retail partners.
• Training: Partner closely with the Head of Education to ensure the BA and BC population have 5* product knowledge and expertise. Coach the team to achieve Service Excellence targets. Liaise with Education and HR to deliver the Business Manager Development programme. Actively support and participate in the delivery of BA Seminars held bi-annually. Support with account and store trainings in stores with direct reports.

Please note this is a London Office based role with approximately 60-70% of time spent out on the field.

Education and Experience required:

• Degree or industry related qualification
• Minimum of 6 years’ retail management experience ideally within the luxury perfume and beauty industry
• Excellent understanding of retail principles and practice
• Genuine affinity with the luxury goods industry and comprehensive understanding and knowledge of both the Perfume and Beauty market

Key Leadership / Management Competencies:

• Results and KPI driven
• Strong project and time management with the ability to manage complex cross functional projects
• Commercially savvy
• Effective problem-solving skills, with a constant quest to improve the status quo and overall effectiveness through identification of and recommending solutions to resolve issues and maximise opportunities
• Presentation skills: with the ability to translate analysis findings into recommended action plans to senior management and retailers
• Effective communication skills across a range of stakeholders

Technical Skills:

• Analytical skills with a keen attention to detail
• Strong IT skills including MS Office, particularly Excel and Power Point