Head of Retail, UK & Ireland

Direct message the job poster from POP MART

\”To Light Up Passion And Bring Joy\” – POP MART

Job Description: Head of Retail, UK & Ireland

Location: Canary Wharf, London

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

About POP MART

Founded in 2010, POP MART is a market-leading entertainment company and a global champion of designer figurine culture. Through artist development, IP operations, and the promotion of designer figurine culture, we have built an integrated platform covering the entire value chain.

Our original and iconic IPs—including Molly, Hirono, Skullpanda, and LABUBU—sit alongside collaborations with leading global brands such as Disney, Universal Studios, and Sanrio.

POPMART has a strong and growing presence across Europe, including Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France, and the UK. In the UK&I region we currently operate 9+ stores and 5+ Robo Shops (self‑service vending machines). With ambitious expansion plans, we continue to scale our retail footprint with new London openings and nationwide growth.

To learn more, please visit our website or LinkedIn Career Page.

What to Expect

POPMART is a fast‑paced company with a young, multicultural, and creative team. In this role, you will:

• Lead and optimise the UK retail operations while planning strategic expansion into Ireland
• Manage day‑to‑day retail operations with a focus on operational excellence, customer experience, and commercial performance
• Play a key leadership role in strengthening POP MART’s position in one of its most important European markets
• Work cross‑functionally with regional teams and global headquarters to drive alignment and consistency
• Contribute to the development of one of the most culturally dynamic and creative brands in the collectible space

At POPMART, you can expect:

• Monthly appreciation gifts featuring selected POP MART figurines
• Structured bonus/commission scheme tied to company and individual performance
• Comprehensive training and development programs
• Regular team social events

Role Overview

The Head of Retail, UK & Ireland will lead and optimise all POP MART physical retail operations across both markets. With the UK being an established growth market, the focus will be on driving store performance, elevating customer experience, and expanding our retail footprint.

This role holds full P&L responsibility for retail and vending operations and requires close collaboration with HQ and regional teams to maintain consistent brand standards and operational excellence.

This position is ideal for a hands‑on, commercially driven retail leader experienced in growing markets, building teams, and managing high‑volume operations in a fast‑scaling environment.

Key Responsibilities

Retail Operations & Store Performance

• Oversee end‑to‑end management of all physical retail stores, ensuring strong execution and customer engagement
• Define, track, and analyse key KPIs including sales, footfall, conversion, and customer satisfaction
• Implement best practices to drive operational efficiency and improve sales execution
• Lead store teams and Area Managers to ensure brand consistency and high performance
• Ensure compliance with global retail standards and customer experience guidelines

Merchandising & Product Strategy

• Develop and execute the UK&I merchandising strategy across stores, vending machines, and e‑commerce
• Analyse inventory levels, sell‑through, and consumer trends to optimise stock planning
• Collaborate with supply chain, HQ, and logistics partners to ensure product availability
• Maintain high visual merchandising standards across all retail formats
• Provide data‑driven insights on local trends to influence future product development

Customer Experience

• Lead initiatives to enhance the customer journey across all retail locations
• Ensure consistent, high‑quality service delivery across store teams
• Execute local marketing initiatives, in‑store activations, and brand campaigns
• Support customer retention through meaningful offline engagement
• Own full retail and vending P&L, ensuring revenue growth and cost control
• Monitor financial performance, implementing improvements to enhance profitability
• Work with Finance on budgeting, Opex management, and accurate reporting
• Evaluate new store openings and vending machine rollouts based on data and strategic priorities
• Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing retail team
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and career development initiatives
• Implement engagement and retention strategies to maintain team morale and performance
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and customer focus

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years’ senior retail management experience (FMCG, fashion, lifestyle, or high‑volume retail preferred)
• Proven experience in business expansion and launching new retail operations
• Strong P&L management, budgeting, and financial planning capabilities
• Deep understanding of brand building, consumer engagement, and retail marketing
• Strong strategic decision‑making skills and ability to manage complexity
• Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills (including real estate partnerships)
• Fluent English (written and spoken)
• Based in London, with occasional travel across Europe and to Beijing HQ
• Permanent right to work in the UK (no visa sponsorship available)

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience managing teams across multiple European markets
• Knowledge of the UK & Ireland retail landscape, particularly lifestyle or collectible categories
• Passion for designer figurines, pop culture, and collectible art

Your Application

If the opportunity sounds interesting to you, please apply with your updated CV via \”Apply Now\” or email to uk.hr@popmart.com.

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