At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive retail operations strategy and enhance brand performance across luxury beauty products.
- Company: Join Unilever Prestige, a leader in premium beauty with a diverse portfolio.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the luxury beauty market while developing your career.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in retail operations, strong analytical skills, and leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: UK - London office
Reports To: Head of Retail
About Us: Unilever Prestige is a division of Unilever that focuses on the production and marketing of prestige beauty products. Our segment specifically caters to the premium and luxury beauty market, offering a range of high-quality and innovative products. Unilever Prestige encompasses a portfolio of purposeful, well-established, and emerging brands in the premium beauty industry. Unilever Prestige in the UK Hub addresses the growing demand for luxury beauty and personal care products through Murad, TATCHA, Living Proof, and K18.
About the Role: The Retail Operations Strategy Manager plays a strategic & analytical lead to the field that is mainly responsible for driving focus, structure, and high performance across all field rotas, coverage, brand priorities, and sell-out growth. The role is critical in analysing retail operations productivity, identifying sales growth opportunities, and ensuring field resources are deployed effectively and strategically to maximise commercial performance and drive brand sell-out growth.
- Analyse field capability and align team efforts to evolving business priorities, working closely with brand partners and leveraging insights gathered through ongoing liaison between brands and the field.
- Monitor and govern brand budgets to maximise return on investment and ensure effective allocation of resources.
Key Responsibilities:
- Consolidate brand trade plans into a unified HUB view, providing visibility on key campaigns, net sales phasing, BMI investment, risks, and opportunities.
- Coordinate weekly commercial performance reporting in partnership with Finance to ensure accurate tracking and relevant business insights.
- Support the Head of Retail in leading bi-weekly brand reviews, evaluating trade plans, campaign performance, and commercial priorities.
- Lead HUB-level collaboration and discussions with brand partners, including coordination of commercial terms aligned with Finance governance.
- Partner with Finance, the Head of Retail, and NAMs to conduct gap analysis, identify optimisation opportunities, and improve P&L efficiency.
- Deliver ad-hoc commercial analysis and executive summaries to support business decision-making.
- Drive consistent operational execution across UK stores, aligning training and education initiatives with luxury retail and beauty brand standards through a structured education roadmap.
- Act as the key link between Head Office and field teams, translating strategic priorities into clear operational actions while feeding back field insights to inform business decisions.
- Ensure optimal field team deployment and in-store execution by supporting headcount planning, coverage strategy, and productivity optimisation across locations.
- Monitor and analyse key performance indicators (sales, conversion, inventory accuracy, and customer experience metrics) to identify opportunities for performance improvement.
- Support regional retail leadership with workforce planning, rota oversight, and operational coordination to ensure efficient store operations.
Retail Execution & Operational Excellence:
- Conduct regular store visits to evaluate retail execution, operational effectiveness, and customer experience standards, identifying optimisation opportunities and providing actionable insights to the Head of Retail and Brand Managers.
- Translate in-store observations into performance recommendations to strengthen brand execution and commercial delivery across locations.
Commercial & Workforce Planning Support:
- Partner closely with the Head of Retail to assess store staffing needs, supporting workforce planning, headcount forecasting, and rota optimisation to ensure efficient field deployment.
- Support budget planning and monitor staffing cost allocation across brands to ensure alignment with commercial priorities and financial targets.
- Analyse financial and operational performance reports to identify risks, trends, and opportunities, contributing to continuous improvement and stronger business outcomes.
Qualifications:
- 5+ years' experience in retail operations, with a strong background in luxury retail and/or beauty within the UK market.
- Experience supporting multi-site operations and store leadership teams.
- Demonstrated experience supporting store staffing, managing rotas, and cost optimisation.
- Strong commercial and analytical skills with the ability to interpret KPIs and performance data.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office/Google Workspace.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in luxury beauty, skincare, fragrance, or premium fashion retail.
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Retail Management, or a related field.
- Experience supporting periods of growth, transformation, or new store openings in the UK.
Equal Opportunities Statement: As an equal opportunities employer, Unilever Prestige Hub Brands/Tatcha/Murad Living Proof/K18 is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse workforce because, in our view, diversity enables better business outcomes. We also believe that a more inclusive workplace, where people of different backgrounds work together, ensures better outcomes for all staff. From application to interview, we place inclusion at the heart of all we do. In particular, we strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Unilever Prestige Hub Brands/Tatcha/Murad Living Proof/K18.
Retail Operations Strategy Manager employer: Job Search Place Limited
Unilever Prestige is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London, where creativity and innovation thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development and collaboration across our prestigious beauty brands. Our inclusive culture values diversity and fosters a sense of belonging, ensuring that every team member can contribute meaningfully to our mission of delivering luxury beauty experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Operations Strategy Manager
✨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 Job Search Place Limited, 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 Job Search Place Limited!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Operations Strategy Manager
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 Job Search Place Limited, 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 Job Search Place Limited 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 Job Search Place Limited that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨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!
