At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead retail strategy for HUGO BOSS across the UK & Ireland, driving sales and customer experience.
- Company: Join HUGO BOSS, a global leader in premium fashion with a vibrant team culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, attractive benefits, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values creativity and individuality.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fashion while leading a passionate team in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior retail leadership, strong financial acumen, and team development skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Our vision is to establish HUGO BOSS as the leading premium tech-driven fashion platform worldwide and to be one of the top 100 global brands. At HUGO BOSS, we work as a team to apply our knowledge, skills and experience together and create a diversity of ideas and solutions. What unites us? We love fashion, we change fashion! At HUGO BOSS, you have the opportunity to contribute your personality, ideas and creativity — because only when we break new ground together can we create something unique. Become part of our team of more than 19,000 employees worldwide and shape your future at HUGO BOSS!
The Head of Retail UK and Ireland, reporting to the Retail Director, is responsible for executing the retail strategy for HUGO BOSS UK & Ireland across all formats, including Directly Operated Stores (DOS), Outlets, Airports, and Concessions. Working under the overall leadership and direction of the Retail Director, this role focuses on delivering the agreed strategic priorities in market, ensuring alignment with the company’s objectives and supporting exceptional customer experiences while driving financial and operational excellence.
The Head of Retail UK and Ireland will lead the retail team to maximise profitable sales, implement strategies and initiatives defined in partnership with the Retail Director, and foster a high-performance culture. This includes driving sales growth, enhancing operational efficiency, and developing a passionate and customer-centric team.
What you can expect:
- Strategic Leadership: Drive and implement a comprehensive Retail Strategy, including expansion plans targeting key market locations and ensuring profitable returns. Drive the consistent delivery of the brand message across the UK & Ireland marketplace for all HUGO BOSS brands and genders. Collaborate with the Retail Director, Managing Director and Leadership Team to identify and execute initiatives that enhance operational excellence and cost efficiency. Contribute to the preparation of budgets, forecasts, and reports, supporting the Retail Director in delivering presentations to the global leadership team.
- Sales & Financial Performance: Accountable for achieving sales, gross margin, and EBIT targets across all stores in the UK & Ireland. Drive sales and margin growth, as well as cost control initiatives, in collaboration with Area Managers. Monitor and manage controllable expenses, including wages, travel, advertising, and promotions. Oversee stock control, inventory management, and adherence to financial targets.
- Operational Excellence: Devise and implement annual retail business plans in line with the Northern Hub strategy. Develop and implement effective retail operations tools, including communication frameworks, policies, and procedures. Monitor and report on retail operational issues, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with global standards. Lead the development and implementation of programmes to achieve retail excellence and world-class KPIs.
- Customer Experience: Foster a culture of exceptional customer service, ensuring stores deliver expertise, efficiency, and alignment with brand values. Collaborate with the Retail Operations team to develop and grow a world-class CRM programme, enhancing customer engagement and loyalty. Ensure the delivery of a seamless and premium customer experience across all touchpoints, including a customer returns programme that exceeds expectations.
- Team Leadership & Development: Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of Area Managers. Establish performance goals for direct reports and monitor progress on a continuous basis. Partner with HR to design and implement employee development and training programmes, including leadership, management, and customer service initiatives. Conduct appraisals, provide coaching, and support leadership development for direct reports. Ensure an effective induction framework is in place for all new team members. Collaborate with HR to oversee recruitment for senior vacancies within the team and ensure adherence to all HR policies.
Your profile:
- Significant experience in a senior retail leadership role, preferably within the premium or luxury sector.
- Demonstrated success in managing multi-site retail operations, including DOS, outlets, and concessions.
- Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and P&L management.
- Proven ability to develop and implement strategic plans that drive business growth.
- Experience in leading and developing high-performing teams.
- Results-driven with a proven track record of delivering sales and profitability growth in a retail environment.
- Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
- Strategic thinker with excellent planning and organisational abilities.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building relationships at all levels.
- Commercially astute with a deep understanding of retail operations and customer experience.
Your benefits: Competitive salary and attractive benefits.
We are a global company with our employees representative of the world at large. Our inclusive culture embraces each person’s authenticity and individuality. We are committed to equal employment opportunity. And we believe our equitable work environment helps unleash your full potential and inspires you to thrive.
Head of Retail - UK & Ireland in London employer: Hugo Boss.
As a Specialist at Harrods Knightsbridge, you will thrive in an international and inspirational working environment that champions customer service excellence and team development. With competitive salaries, commission, and tailored training opportunities, we foster a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth and collaboration, making it an exceptional place to build your career in retail.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Retail - UK & Ireland in London
✨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 Hugo Boss., 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 Hugo Boss.!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Retail - UK & Ireland in London
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 Hugo Boss., 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 Hugo Boss. 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 Hugo Boss. that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hugo Boss.
✨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!
