At a Glance
- Tasks: Support retail operations, improve processes, and manage key relationships.
- Company: Join Aesop, a brand known for its commitment to quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to collaborate across various departments.
- Why this job: Be a key player in enhancing retail efficiency and customer experience.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and a passion for retail are essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
I will support the retail population in a strategic, operational and administrative capacity. I will take an active role in continually assessing, analysing and improving all operational aspects, whilst maintaining key internal and commercial relationships. As the first point of contact for all retail operational inquiries, I will provide accurate and timely administrative support and training to the retail team. I will effectively initiate, and complete projects as required and demonstrate a high level of professionalism in all communication, reflecting company standards. I will be proactive, organised, and able to prioritise. With excellent understanding and passion for retail, I will collaborate across many functions to drive efficiencies and support across our doors and teams.
This role will support P&L responsibility, working in partnership with the Retail Director. It will drive strategies to manage controllable expenses and drive profitability including but not limited to promo activity and consumables. I will maintain effective and regular communication with the retail teams and colleagues and support the office team on all key store issues. I will continuously assess and support the development of new operational processes, tools, and guides in conjunction with the Retail Operations Manager. I will manage the launch of new processes and procedures for retail stores, ensuring partnership with key cross-functional departments (such as Legal, Compliance and regulatory) to ensure local legislation requirements are captured.
I will drive the successful completion of all Retail & Digital Store Development Projects, including but not limited to New Market Entry, New Store Openings, Refurbishments, Relocations, and Closures. I will conduct in-store audits and elevate areas of concern to cross-functional departments. I will act as a primary stakeholder on communication and action that impact retail e.g. executing product withdrawals, supporting retail projects, supporting crisis management. I will partner with field teams to drive continuous improvement of retail processes and procedures.
In terms of EHS, I will execute upskilling of Store Managers and field teams in EHS responsibilities and certifications. I will coordinate the routine execution of H&S tasks such as Risk Assessments and Audits across the Luxe portfolio. I will ensure the Luxe Health & Safety policy & procedures are maintained across all doors and execute and drive engagement for all projects or initiatives to support the Luxe Health and Safety policy. I will work collaboratively with other departments to maintain solutions to Reported Incidents in stores.
For Inventory Management, I will ensure the Luxe approach to Loss Prevention is being adhered to across all doors. I will coordinate and execute and report yearly Stock take programme and animate agreed Cycle Counts. I will continuously review, assess, and improve processes relating to Loss Prevention, including but not limited to Employee Spend, Discretionary Discounts, Cycle Counts, and Stock Loss. I will collaborate with cross-functional departments to improve Loss Prevention and guide and coach Store Managers on Inventory Management guidelines and procedures.
Regarding In Store Systems, I will be the expert across the in-store systems in the Luxe estate (Cegid). I will ensure all administrative and Cegid tasks are completed accurately and correctly within the specified/required timeframes. I will test and validate upgrades/changes to Cegid systems as and when they occur and provide any necessary training and upskilling to the retail and corporate population on POS systems and features. I will constantly review and adopt/adapt connected tools to ensure synergy between platforms (Gold Retail/Ibeauty/CRM tools).
In general, I will work on relevant projects as and when the need arises and drive operational excellence by implementing retail initiatives, systems, policies and process improvements as required or directed by Global Retail. I will liaise with cross-functional workstreams to optimize the communication to Retail and tasks being requested of Retail. I will challenge and prioritize cross-functional messaging on behalf of the retail teams, to ensure the right information is being shared at the right time. I will spend time in retail with RBMs, store managers, consultants and customers to understand business critical issues, opportunities and performance, to determine a timely course of action.
Core KPIs: Inventory management strategy
Deliverables / Outcomes: Yearly EHS programme, Yearly stocktake programme, PO/Invoicing, PM Administrative support
In-Depth Knowledge Of: Organisational tools/skills, EHS policy + procedures, PO management tools, POS systems + connected tools
Key Stakeholders: Field Services, Property, Retail Business Managers, Heads of Retail
Key Skills: Organisational Influence & Stakeholder Management, Communication, Troubleshooting & problem solving
Aesop | Retail Operations Manager | London employer: L'oreal Usa
Aesop is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture in the heart of London. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that our team members are equipped to excel in their roles. Our focus on operational excellence and sustainability, combined with a supportive environment, makes Aesop a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in retail operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Aesop | Retail Operations Manager | 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 L'oreal Usa, 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 L'oreal Usa!
We think you need these skills to ace Aesop | Retail Operations Manager | 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 L'oreal Usa, 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 L'oreal Usa 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 L'oreal Usa that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at L'oreal Usa
✨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!
