At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK commercial strategy for iconic brands across online and physical channels.
- Company: Join Gap Inc., a global leader in fashion retail with a dynamic culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, growth opportunities, and a chance to shape brand performance.
- Other info: Opportunity to travel and collaborate with global teams for continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on brand success while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in multi-channel retail leadership with strong online and store management skills.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
About the Role
Gap Inc.'s B2B & International Commerce division have brought the Gap Inc. iconic brands Gap, Old Navy, Athleta and Banana Republic, to over 60+ countries across Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Commercial Director to lead the brand's performance across the UK market, spanning both online and physical store channels. As the primary commercial lead for the UK business, this role will own the P&L, deliver profitable growth, and drive the commercial strategy in alignment with the brand's global objectives working closely with the partner in the UK.
The successful candidate will have proven experience in multi-channel retail leadership, with strong expertise in online trading, store operations, and customer experience. They will partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Digital, Product, and Store Operations to ensure that brand, product, and commercial needs are met to best-in-class standards. The Commercial Director will leverage market insights, sales analysis, and customer data to identify growth opportunities, optimise trading performance, and execute against the commercial plan.
What You'll Do
- Develop and implement the UK commercial strategy in alignment with the partner to achieve strategic objectives and deliver against budgeted growth targets.
- Act as the senior commercial lead for the UK, with retail, revenue and margin accountability across both online and stores.
- Lead the annual business planning process, setting clear channel targets and KPIs for online and store performance.
- Seek growth opportunities across existing and new distribution channels, including e-commerce innovation, store expansion, and real estate optimisation.
- Identify risks and opportunities to the sales plan, collaborating with cross-functional teams and the partner to develop and implement action plans.
- Analyse sales performance, customer behaviour, and market data to generate actionable insights that drive trade and optimise the customer journey.
- Manage the UK commercial calendar for both online and stores, ensuring timely delivery of product launches, marketing campaigns, and promotional activity.
- Act as the primary link between UK market partner and global functional teams, ensuring effective two-way communication and alignment.
- Share market results, best practices, and lessons learned with the wider organisation to drive continuous improvement.
Who You Are
- Minimum of 10+ years' senior commercial leadership experience in a multi-channel retail environment, ideally within fashion or lifestyle sectors.
- Proven track record in online trading and physical retail management, with experience delivering sustained sales and margin growth.
- Strong commercial acumen with full P&L management experience.
- Advanced skills in data analytics, trading optimisation, and customer insight application.
- Excellent negotiation, influencing, and relationship management skills.
- A self-starter with integrity, drive, and the ability to make decisive, commercially sound decisions.
- Proven ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams to deliver results.
- Flexibility to travel regularly within the UK and occasionally internationally for market weeks or business reviews.
Director, Commercial Management employer: The Gap
At Gap Inc., we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As the Director of Commercial Management in the UK, you will benefit from a dynamic environment that encourages professional growth and development, alongside competitive compensation and benefits. Join us to lead iconic brands and make a meaningful impact in the retail landscape while enjoying the unique advantages of working within a globally recognised company.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Commercial Management
✨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 The Gap, 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 The Gap!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Commercial Management
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 The Gap, 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 The Gap 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 The Gap that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Gap
✨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!
