At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead retail and wholesale operations for a luxury watch brand across the UK and Ireland.
- Company: Prestigious luxury watch retailer known for innovation and brand integrity.
- Benefits: Salary up to £100,000 plus £20,000 bonus and comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Opportunity to lead a high-performing team and collaborate with cross-functional departments.
- Why this job: Drive growth and enhance customer experience in a dynamic, high-performance environment.
- Qualifications: Proven sales management experience in retail and wholesale, ideally in watches or jewellery.
A leading luxury watch retailer is seeking an exceptional head of retail & wholesale to take ownership of its stores across the UK and Ireland. Renowned for representing some of the world’s most prestigious timepieces, the business offers a dynamic, high‑performance environment where brand integrity, innovation and commercial excellence are at the forefront.
Working from the London headquarters, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening market presence, protecting brand positioning and driving sustainable growth across both retail and wholesale channels. As head of retail & wholesale, you will assume full responsibility for the day‑to‑day operations and strategic direction of the brand within the UK market, overseeing retail, wholesale, marketing, PR and customer care functions.
Reporting to the Brand Vice President and Country Manager, you will manage the brand’s budget and P&L, develop and execute annual business plans, and ensure alignment with global brand strategy. The role encompasses driving sales and marketing initiatives, leading distribution strategy, managing key retail relationships, and overseeing purchasing and inventory control.
You will also lead and develop a high‑performing team, implement international procedures, and collaborate closely with cross‑functional departments including Finance, HR, Legal, Logistics and IT. A key element of the position is maintaining strong communication with headquarters, delivering insightful reporting, and continuously identifying opportunities to enhance performance, customer experience and brand exposure.
The successful candidate will bring proven sales management experience across both retail and wholesale, ideally within the watches or jewellery sector, alongside a strong track record of leading and developing teams. You will be a commercially astute and entrepreneurial individual with a deep understanding of market dynamics, coupled with the ability to negotiate effectively and drive growth.
A strong background in sales and marketing, excellent communication and presentation skills, and the ability to influence at all levels are essential. In return they are offering a salary of up to £100,000 with the opportunity to earn an additional £20,000 in bonus. There is also a comprehensive benefit package, which you would expect for this level of role.
Head of Retail & Wholesale employer: Fashion & Retail Personnel
As a leading luxury watch retailer, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and high-performance work environment that champions brand integrity and innovation. Based in London, our headquarters offers an exceptional opportunity for growth and development, with a comprehensive benefits package and a culture that values collaboration and excellence. Join us to lead a talented team and make a significant impact in the luxury market while enjoying the rewards of a competitive salary and bonus structure.
Contact Details:
Fashion & Retail Personnel Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Retail & Wholesale
✨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 Fashion & Retail Personnel, 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 Fashion & Retail Personnel!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Retail & Wholesale
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 Fashion & Retail Personnel, 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 Fashion & Retail Personnel 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 Fashion & Retail Personnel that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fashion & Retail Personnel
✨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!
