Retail Operations Strategy Manager
Retail Operations Strategy Manager

Retail Operations Strategy Manager

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Prestige UK Hub

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.
  • 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.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ 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, 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.

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 optimization.
  • 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 Opportunity 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: Prestige UK Hub

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.
Prestige UK Hub

Contact Detail:

Prestige UK Hub Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Retail Operations Strategy Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its brands. Understand their values and products, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills and experiences make you the perfect fit for the Retail Operations Strategy Manager role. Keep it concise and focus on what you can bring to the table.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Unilever Prestige.

We think you need these skills to ace Retail Operations Strategy Manager

Retail Operations Management
Analytical Skills
Commercial Acumen
Budget Management
Performance Analysis
Stakeholder Management
Team Leadership
Workforce Planning
Rota Optimisation
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Microsoft Office Proficiency
Consumer Experience Focus
Operational Excellence

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Retail Operations Strategy Manager role. Highlight your experience in retail operations, especially in luxury beauty, and showcase any relevant achievements that align with the job description.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the luxury beauty market and how your skills can drive success at Unilever Prestige. Keep it engaging and personal.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves a lot of analysis, be sure to mention specific examples where you've used data to drive decisions or improve performance. We love numbers, so don’t shy away from sharing your successes!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to see your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!

How to prepare for a job interview at Prestige UK Hub

✨Know Your Brands

Before the interview, dive deep into Unilever Prestige's portfolio. Familiarise yourself with Murad, TATCHA, Living Proof, and K18. Understanding their unique selling points and recent campaigns will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their brand strategies.

✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills

As a Retail Operations Strategy Manager, you'll need strong analytical skills. Prepare examples of how you've used data to drive sales growth or improve operational efficiency in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific KPIs you've monitored and how they influenced your decisions.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about challenges you've faced in retail operations and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly and effectively.

✨Engage with Stakeholder Management

Highlight your experience in stakeholder management during the interview. Discuss how you've collaborated with various teams, such as finance and marketing, to achieve common goals. This role requires excellent communication skills, so be prepared to demonstrate how you build relationships and influence others.

Retail Operations Strategy Manager
Prestige UK Hub

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>