Area Manager - North West in Manchester

Join our team as an Area Manager in the North West UK. Hourglass is a vegan and cruelty‑free beauty brand redefining luxury cosmetics with high‑performance products, innovative formulas, and award‑winning franchises. Recognized by Forbes, Fast Company and Time Magazine as one of the most inventive beauty companies, Hourglass leads the industry with its breakthrough products and commitment to animal welfare.

About The Role

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated Area Manager to oversee and elevate the performance of our regional stores across the North of England, Scotland and Ireland. This pivotal role requires a passionate leader with a proven track record in people management and hands‑on sales leadership. You will play a key role in coaching teams ensuring our premium customer experience is delivered in our regional stores.

As the Area Manager for our Regional stores in the North of England, Scotland and Ireland, you will be responsible for driving sales, KPIs, services and events in our regional retailers: Selfridges, Arnotts, Brown Thomas, Harvey Nichols, John Lewis and Fenwicks. You will lead and inspire a network of Hourglass Managers and their teams ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge, passion and tools to deliver exceptional customer experiences and exceed commercial targets.

This role requires a strategic leader who can balance commercial acumen with strong coaching and training abilities. You will work closely with key stakeholders, including retail partners and internal teams, to ensure consistent brand messaging, impactful education programs and strong retail execution. This field‑based role is pivotal in nurturing strong relationships with retail partners and leading commercial initiatives to ensure exceptional retail results and customer experience. You will be responsible for delivering sales growth through coaching and commercial excellence. Weekly store visits to all stores within your area are required and you will work closely with the teams in store.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and drive retail performance across our North England, Scotland and Ireland regional stores, ensuring sales targets and KPIs are achieved.
• Analyze business performance and identify opportunities to maximize sell‑through, ranking and brand positioning.
• Develop and implement sales strategies that align with overall brand objectives and retail partner goals.
• Collaborate with internal teams (marketing, merchandising, operations) to ensure seamless execution of brand initiatives and new product launches.
• Manage time effectively between regular store visits and ensuring quality time with the entire sales team on the shop floor.
• Responsible for setting and managing regional stores’ sales targets & KPIs to maximise sales and rankings in all doors.
• Lead by example in planning and organising the business for success.
• Coach and inspire managers to be sales and customer focused with Hourglass.
• Oversee all visual merchandising operations relating to the stores and teams.
• Review stock levels consistently and work with the operations director to resolve any issues.
• Support and drive additional eventing and activity plans to effectively build brand awareness.

Education

• Work closely with the Education team to ensure your team are set up for success by attending regular training sessions.
• Collaborate with education executives to drive artistry, product knowledge, and service excellence through tailored training sessions.
• Ensure Hourglass values are reflected in all customer interactions across our regional stores.

Team Leadership & Brand Advocacy

• Effectively lead and manage the retail team, celebrating success and challenging business opportunities.
• Lead and inspire through leaders, ensuring teams feel empowered and engaged with the brand.
• Recruit and manage area vacancies, acting with pace to ensure the right people are recruited.
• Act as the key liaison between the brand and retail partners, fostering strong relationships.
• Be a brand ambassador at key retail and industry events.
• Follow company budget parameters and careful use of company resources to achieve end goals.
• Maintain payroll documents for your area, ensuring commission and overtime are accurately logged.
• Support in HR matters, including investigations and performance management processes.
• Responsible for upholding the Unilever Code of Conduct.

What You’ll Gain

• A wealth of experience in a dynamic and fast‑paced role within Hourglass.
• The opportunity to make a real impact in shaping brand presence and performance.
• In‑depth understanding of how to efficiently build and manage a strong retail team.
• Exposure and experience working with the Senior Leadership Team in both UK & LA.
• Become part of a fast‑growing and passionate luxury makeup brand.
• Build strong relationships with retailers and customers.

You’ll Love This Job If

• Action‑oriented and self‑motivated, able to motivate your team to achieve targets.
• Organised with a structured approach to planning for success.
• Inspirational people manager who leads by example.
• Strong communicator and collaborator who builds strong relationships.
• Purpose driven and passionately interested in Hourglass and its purpose.
• Passionate about beauty and retail, eager to learn.

Qualifications

• 6+ years beauty management industry experience working with luxury specialty retailers.
• Positive energy and passion for makeup, skincare and service.
• Superior training and motivational abilities.
• Highly organized and structured management approach.
• Strong analytical skills to review sales results and forecasts.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced makeup artistry skills.
• Strong eye for merchandising and detail in a luxury environment.
• Thrives working in a fast‑paced agile environment.
• Exhibits effective communication skills with customers, peers and management.
• Experience in working with MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Ability to travel and manage remotely.