At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and execute Solace London's global wholesale strategy for international expansion.
- Company: Solace London, a luxury brand redefining modern eventwear with a bold aesthetic.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for international travel.
- Other info: Be part of a creative team driving sustainable growth and brand equity.
- Why this job: Join a pioneering brand and shape its global presence in the luxury market.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in wholesale leadership with a proven track record in luxury womenswear.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Reporting to: Managing Director
Location: London
Department: Wholesale
About Solace London
Solace London has redefined modern eventwear and occasion dressing. Renowned for its bold, confident and refined aesthetic, the brand balances modern futurism with timeless minimalism. Building on an established global wholesale footprint in the world’s leading luxury stores, we are seeking a dynamic and commercially astute Head of Wholesale to spearhead our next phase of international expansion with a primary mandate to unlock and scale the North American and European markets.
Role Overview
The Head of Wholesale will serve as the strategic architect and driving force behind Solace London's global wholesale footprint. We are looking for a leader who combines high-level commercial vision with a hands-on execution style. The successful candidate will strategically manage our global sales agency team to scale international distribution whilst safeguarding our premium positioning. They will bring a sophisticated understanding of Solace London's market matrix and hold a proven track record of driving sustainable global growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategy & Growth: Develop and execute the company’s global wholesale strategy in clear alignment with Solace London’s brand identity and commercial objectives.
- Account Acquisition: Work closely with our global sales agency team to secure and grow selective, brand-aligned placements with premier luxury department stores, specialty stores and high-profile e-tailers.
- Partner Governance: Lead our global sales agency team through high-level negotiations, commercial terms and distribution boundaries.
- Commercial Trading Cadence: Drive an uncompromising focus on full-price sell-through by tracking and optimising performance by account, category, and region.
- Data Diagnostics: Establish a rigorous trading rhythm, including weekly sell-through reviews and monthly trade calls with major accounts.
- Agency Showroom Representation: Ensure showroom market execution and seasonal merchandise presentation perfectly reflect Solace London’s visual aesthetics.
- Financial Governance: Take end-to-end ownership of the Wholesale P&L, annual sales budgets, and departmental cost tracking to maximise profitability.
- Product Optimisation: Work closely with the internal design team during range reviews to ensure collection architectures support localised market demands.
- Brand Equity Protection: Maintain strict control over global distribution to protect the brand's premium image and prevent cross-channel cannibalisation of DTC.
Key Attributes
The Candidate Must Have:
- Brand Guardian with Luxury Instincts: Driven heavily by commercial targets but possessing a highly refined, uncompromising understanding of the brand's positioning, key adjacencies and selective distribution boundaries.
- Data-Driven & Commercially Astute: Exceptionally data-literate with the ability to look at wholesale through a forensic mathematical lens.
- Entrepreneurial & Resilient: A solutions-driven leader who is highly adaptable and comfortable navigating the complex, fast-moving shifts of international retail markets.
- Impactful Presenter & Communicator: Gifted with the clarity and executive presence required to deliver concise structured financial performance analytics, market insight and multi-year growth roadmaps directly to the Founders and Managing Director.
- Strategic & Action-Oriented: They must excel in environments without rigid corporate guardrails.
Experience & Requirements
- 10+ years of progressive wholesale leadership experience within contemporary, premium or luxury womenswear.
- Proven Scale Track Record: Experience managing multi-million-pound portfolios and delivering sustainable double-digit annual revenue growth.
- Sophisticated Market Positioning Expertise: A deep understanding of selective distribution and the ability to sustainably scale.
- Verifiable Global Retail Network: An active warm network of senior buying contacts for tier-1 accounts globally.
- Agency Management Experience: Clear background in acting as the primary anchor for an existing global sales agent and showroom network.
- Advanced Financial Literacy: Full end-to-end P&L ownership, complex forecasting capabilities and cost budget management.
Head of Wholesale employer: Solace London Ltd
Solace London is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions creativity and innovation in the luxury fashion sector. Located in the heart of London, employees benefit from a dynamic environment that fosters professional growth and collaboration, with opportunities to lead international expansion efforts in the North American and European markets. The company prioritises employee development and provides a platform for impactful contributions, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in wholesale management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Wholesale
✨Get to Know the Industry Events
Dive into wholesale distribution trade shows and local industry meet-ups. These events are gold mines for networking and can even lead to job leads. Plus, getting face time with companies like Solace London Ltd can make you stand out!
✨Connect with Industry Professionals
Join online forums and communities specific to wholesale distribution. Places like LinkedIn groups or industry-specific Slack channels can put you in touch with insiders who know about the latest job openings at companies like Solace London Ltd before they even get posted.
✨Tailor Your Approach to Distribution Roles
When you apply for full-time roles, make sure your interactions highlight your understanding of supply chain management and logistics. Companies like Solace London Ltd want to see that you get the bigger picture and can contribute to their efficiency!
✨Follow Up Like a Pro
After you've sent in your application, don't be shy! Follow up with a brief message to express your enthusiasm for the role. This not only shows initiative but keeps your name fresh in the minds of recruiters at Solace London Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Wholesale
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Distribution Know-How:For a role in wholesale distribution, it’s crucial to highlight any experience you have with supply chain management or logistics. Make sure to detail any relevant projects or roles on your CV that show you understand how products move from point A to point B efficiently.
Quantify Your Achievements:When crafting your CV, don’t just list tasks; instead, focus on achievements that can be quantified. For example, mention how you increased delivery efficiency by a percentage or managed a specific number of vendors. Numbers stand out and prove you can make a difference at Solace London Ltd.
Tailored Cover Letter Approach:In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about wholesale distribution and what excites you about the specific challenges at Solace London Ltd. Show us you’ve done some research on the company, and mention any values or initiatives they have that resonate with you.
Highlight Team Collaboration Skills:Since wholesale distribution often requires working closely with teams, emphasise your teamwork skills in your application. Include examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated with colleagues, suppliers, or stakeholders to improve operations or resolve issues.
How to prepare for a job interview at Solace London Ltd
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
In the wholesale distribution sector, being able to analyse market trends and inventory data is key. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled inventory management issues or implemented solutions that improved efficiency; this will show Solace London Ltd that you can handle the analytical side of the role.
✨Know Your Logistics Inside Out
Since logistics play a massive part in wholesale distribution, it's vital to familiarise yourself with the tools and software used in the industry, like ERP systems or supply chain management platforms. Mention any experience you have with these tools during the interview to impress Solace London Ltd.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that revolve around real-life situations in wholesale distribution, such as how you'd handle supply chain disruptions or manage relationships with suppliers. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies on these topics to demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Highlight Your Long-Term Potential
As you're applying for a full-time role, Solace London Ltd will want to see your commitment to growing within the organisation. Be ready to discuss your career aspirations and how this role aligns with your goals, emphasising that you are in it for the long haul!
