Head of Wholesale UK & Ireland

Head of Wholesale UK & Ireland

Slough Full-Time 100000 - 115000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
F

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the wholesale function in the UK and Ireland, driving growth and managing a dynamic team.
  • Company: Join a premium lifestyle and beauty brand focused on mindfulness, sustainability, and sensory experiences.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, private healthcare, and discounts across the brand.
  • Why this job: Be part of a leading brand in the luxury beauty space, shaping its future and culture.
  • Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years in beauty or premium consumer goods, strong leadership and strategic skills required.
  • Other info: This role offers a chance to influence key decisions at both local and international levels.

The predicted salary is between 100000 - 115000 £ per year.

I am delighted to be partnering a premium lifestyle and beauty brand on a key hire for the business. The brand’s product range spans from body care, skincare to home fragrance. With a focus on mindfulness and well-being, the brand emphasises sensory experiences through rich textures, evocative scents, and elegant packaging. Sustainability, clean ingredients, and a luxurious yet accessible approach are central to its philosophy. The brand is present globally, with a strong retail presence in standalone stores, department stores, travel retail, and online.

The Head of Wholesale is responsible for leading and driving the wholesale function in the UK and Ireland, with a focus on achieving commercial targets, strengthening strategic relationships, and delivering sustainable growth across all wholesale channels. This individual will lead a team of seven at head office, along with four field-based team members, including a senior field-based role. The role requires a balance of strategic leadership and hands-on operational execution, with responsibility for selecting and developing wholesale partners, executing business plans, and ensuring a strong brand presence across all retail environments.

Key Responsibilities
  • Deliver commercial and strategic growth targets across the UK and Ireland wholesale business in alignment with senior leadership.
  • Lead and develop a team comprising Senior Key Account Managers, Senior Account Managers, Field Account Managers, and Wholesale Coordinators.
  • Identify, select, and manage wholesale partners that align with brand positioning and customer experience standards.
  • Create and implement strategic account plans to support distribution objectives and drive partner performance.
  • Manage cross-functional collaboration with internal departments and external partners, maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, including the Managing Director for UK & Ireland.
  • Foster an omni-channel approach to growth, integrating online and offline strategies across wholesale accounts.
  • Take full accountability for sales performance, partner relationships, territory planning, and annual business planning.
  • Ensure wholesale environments reflect brand standards in visual merchandising and customer experience.
Wholesale Strategy

The Head of Wholesale will be accountable for developing and executing a comprehensive strategy to grow the wholesale business in a competitive and evolving market. The strategy includes identifying key growth opportunities, building long-term relationships with partners, and ensuring the brand is represented consistently across shop-in-shop, online, and retail partner formats. This position sits on the UK & Ireland Management Team and plays a key role in both local and international leadership forums. The successful candidate will help shape and influence decisions that position the business as a leading player in the premium/luxury beauty space.

Candidate Profile

Experience & Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree (minimum) with at least 8 years of relevant experience, ideally within the beauty or premium consumer goods industry.
  • Demonstrated success in managing wholesale relationships and strategic partnerships at a national or headquarters level.
  • Experience with online platforms, shop-in-shop models, and premium retail environments.
  • Track record of building and executing wholesale strategies across both digital and physical retail.
  • Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to drive profitability and identify growth opportunities.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with a proven ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
  • Familiarity with working in matrix organizations is an advantage.
  • Fluent in English.

Skills & Attributes:

  • Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to execution.
  • Strong leadership skills with a track record of coaching and developing teams.
  • Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into action.
  • Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills.
  • High level of adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced environment.
  • Solution-oriented, commercially focused, and results-driven.
  • Innovative and open to continuous improvement and new ideas.
  • Strong working knowledge of MS Office applications.
Package
  • Bonus
  • Car allowance
  • Private health care
  • Enhanced maternity/paternity
  • Discounts across the brand
  • Great social events

Head of Wholesale UK & Ireland employer: Four Seasons Recruitment Ltd (Fashion & Retail)

As a premium lifestyle and beauty brand based in London, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions employee growth and well-being. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and creativity, while our comprehensive benefits package, including private healthcare and generous discounts, ensures that our team feels valued and supported. Join us to lead a dynamic wholesale team, where your strategic vision will directly contribute to our mission of delivering luxurious yet accessible products that enhance sensory experiences.
F

Contact Detail:

Four Seasons Recruitment Ltd (Fashion & Retail) Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Wholesale UK & Ireland

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the brand's product range and philosophy. Understanding their focus on mindfulness, sustainability, and sensory experiences will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Network within the beauty and premium consumer goods industry. Attend relevant events or connect with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn to gain insights and potentially get referrals that could strengthen your application.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience in managing wholesale relationships and strategic partnerships. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven growth and profitability in previous roles, as this will be crucial for the position.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your leadership skills by highlighting instances where you've successfully coached and developed teams. This is essential for the Head of Wholesale role, so be prepared to discuss your leadership style and achievements.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Wholesale UK & Ireland

Strategic Leadership
Team Development
Wholesale Relationship Management
Commercial Acumen
Data Analysis
Stakeholder Engagement
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Omni-Channel Strategy
Visual Merchandising Standards
Presentation Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability
Coaching and Mentoring
Market Analysis
Negotiation Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in wholesale management, particularly within the beauty or premium consumer goods industry. Emphasise your achievements in driving commercial growth and managing strategic partnerships.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the brand's philosophy and how your skills align with their goals. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully led teams and executed wholesale strategies in previous roles.

Highlight Leadership Experience: Since the role involves leading a team, be sure to detail your leadership experience. Discuss how you've coached and developed teams in the past, and provide examples of how you've fostered collaboration across departments.

Showcase Analytical Skills: Given the importance of data interpretation in this role, include examples of how you've used analytics to drive business decisions. Highlight any experience you have with interpreting market trends and translating insights into actionable strategies.

How to prepare for a job interview at Four Seasons Recruitment Ltd (Fashion & Retail)

✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision

As the Head of Wholesale, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to develop and execute comprehensive strategies. Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've identified growth opportunities and built long-term relationships with partners in previous roles.

✨Highlight Leadership Experience

This role involves leading a team, so be ready to share your leadership style and experiences. Discuss how you've coached and developed teams in the past, and provide examples of how you've fostered collaboration and engagement among team members.

✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen

The interviewers will be looking for your understanding of profitability and growth. Prepare to talk about how you've driven sales performance in previous positions, including any specific metrics or achievements that highlight your success in managing wholesale relationships.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and adaptability. Think of scenarios where you've had to navigate challenges in a fast-paced environment, particularly in the beauty or premium consumer goods industry, and how you turned those challenges into opportunities.

F
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>