At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the luxury fragrance concession at Harrods, driving sales and client experience.
- Company: Atelier Niche, a top luxury fragrance distributor in prestigious UK department stores.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunity to work in a luxury environment, and career development.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and elevate the client experience in a prestigious setting.
- Why this job: Be the face of niche perfumery at one of the world's most iconic beauty destinations.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in luxury retail, with a passion for niche fragrances and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Atelier Niche is an independent luxury fragrance and beauty distribution company, representing some of the world's most exceptional niche perfume houses across the UK's premier department stores — including Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty London, Harvey Nichols, Sephora and others. We are seeking an exceptional Business Manager to lead our Harrods concession — one of the most prestigious beauty floors in the world. This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned luxury retail professional to combine outstanding commercial leadership with a deep passion for niche perfumery.
The Role
As Business Manager, you will be the face and driving force of Atelier Niche at Harrods. You will take full ownership of the concession's commercial performance, client experience, and team culture — working in close partnership with our brand partners and the Harrods buying and retail teams. This is not simply a management role. We expect you to lead from the shop floor, inspire your team through example, and bring the world of niche perfumery to life for every client who visits.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Performance
- Drive and deliver all KPIs including sales targets, conversion rate, average transaction value (ATV), units per transaction (UPT), and client retention.
- Own the commercial relationship with the Harrods buying team, representing Atelier Niche with confidence and professionalism.
- Analyse sales data, identify opportunities and risks, and implement swift, effective action plans.
- Support and lead brand activations, product launches, seasonal events, and promotional campaigns within the store.
- Client & Brand Experience
- Champion an elevated, personalised client experience that reflects the standards of both Atelier Niche and the Harrods environment.
- Build a loyal client base through exceptional relationship management, including VIP clientele and repeat customers.
- Act as the primary brand ambassador for all portfolio brands, communicating the heritage, artistry, and story behind every fragrance with expertise and passion.
- Ensure visual merchandising, tester management, and counter presentation consistently reflect brand guidelines and Harrods' standards.
- Recruit, onboard, train, and develop a high-performing team of beauty consultants and fragrance specialists.
- Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and genuine passion for niche perfumery.
- Manage scheduling, performance reviews, and day-to-day team operations.
- Identify individual development needs and actively coach team members towards their potential.
- Operations & Inventory
- Maintain accurate stock levels, conduct regular cycle counts, and investigate discrepancies promptly.
- Manage operational standards including stock room organisation, tester upkeep, sampling policy, and hygiene compliance.
- Liaise with the Atelier Niche operations team on replenishment, new product introductions (NPIs), and returns.
What We Are Looking For
Experience & Background
- 5+ years in luxury retail, with at least 2 years in a management or business manager capacity.
- A proven background in niche or luxury fragrance is essential — candidates with experience in niche perfumery houses or specialist fragrance retail are strongly preferred.
- Experience managing a department store concession, corner, or shop-in-shop is highly desirable.
- Familiarity with the Harrods retail environment or equivalent five-star luxury setting is an advantage.
Skills & Attributes
- Exceptional commercial acumen with a track record of consistently delivering and exceeding sales targets.
- Strong leadership presence — inspiring, motivating, and developing those around you.
- Deep, genuine knowledge of niche and artisan perfumery: raw materials, olfactive families, brand heritage, and the art of scent storytelling.
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to connect authentically with clients at every level.
- Highly organised with strong inventory management, reporting, and time management capabilities.
- Proficiency in analysing KPI data and translating insight into action.
- A meticulous eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Business Manager Harrods employer: Atelier Niche
Atelier Niche is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at Harrods, one of the world's most prestigious beauty destinations. Our vibrant work culture fosters creativity and excellence, empowering employees to lead with passion and drive commercial success while delivering an unparalleled client experience. With a strong focus on personal development and team collaboration, we provide our staff with the tools and support needed to thrive in the luxury retail sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Manager Harrods
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Atelier Niche, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Atelier Niche!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Manager Harrods
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Atelier Niche, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Atelier Niche and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Atelier Niche that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Atelier Niche
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
