The Head of Retail UK and Ireland reports to the Retail Director and is responsible for executing the retail strategy across all formats, including Directly Operated Stores, Outlets, Airports, and Concessions.
The role focuses on delivering strategic priorities, ensuring alignment with the company's objectives, and supporting exceptional customer experiences while driving financial and operational excellence.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Drive and implement a comprehensive Retail Strategy, including expansion plans targeting key market locations and ensuring profitable returns.
- Drive the consistent delivery of the brand message across the UK and Ireland marketplace for all HUGO BOSS brands and genders.
- Collaborate with the Retail Director, Managing Director and Leadership Team to identify and execute initiatives that enhance operational excellence and cost efficiency.
- Contribute to the preparation of budgets, forecasts and reports, supporting the Retail Director in delivering presentations to the global leadership team.
Sales & Financial Performance
- Accountable for achieving sales, gross margin and EBIT targets across all stores in the UK and Ireland.
- Drive sales and margin growth, as well as cost control initiatives, in collaboration with Area Managers.
- Monitor and manage controllable expenses, including wages, travel, advertising and promotions.
- Oversee stock control, inventory management and adherence to financial targets.
Operational Excellence
- Devise and implement annual retail business plans in line with the Northern Hub strategy.
- Develop and implement effective retail operations tools, including communication frameworks, policies and procedures.
- Monitor and report on retail operational issues, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with global standards.
- Lead the development and implementation of programmes to achieve retail excellence and world‑class KPIs.
Customer Experience
- Foster a culture of exceptional customer service, ensuring stores deliver expertise, efficiency and alignment with brand values.
- Collaborate with the Retail Operations team to develop and grow a world‑class CRM programme, enhancing customer engagement and loyalty.
- Ensure the delivery of a seamless and premium customer experience across all touchpoints, including a customer returns programme that exceeds expectations.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, coach and develop a high‑performing team of Area Managers.
- Establish performance goals for direct reports and monitor progress on a continuous basis.
- Partner with HR to design and implement employee development and training programmes, including leadership, management and customer service initiatives.
- Conduct appraisals, provide coaching and support leadership development for direct reports.
- Ensure an effective induction framework is in place for all new team members.
- Collaborate with HR to oversee recruitment for senior vacancies within the team and ensure adherence to all HR policies.
Qualifications
- Significant experience in a senior retail leadership role, preferably within the premium or luxury sector.
- Demonstrated success in managing multi‑site retail operations, including DOS, outlets and concessions.
- Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting and P&L management.
- Proven ability to develop and implement strategic plans that drive business growth.
- Experience in leading and developing high‑performing teams.
- Results‑driven with a proven track record of delivering sales and profitability growth in a retail environment.
- Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
- Strategic thinker with excellent planning and organisational abilities.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building relationships at all levels.
- Commercially astute with a deep understanding of retail operations and customer experience.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and attractive benefits.
HUGO BOSS is committed to diversity and inclusion, and encourages individuals of all backgrounds to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.
