At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the wholesale strategy and drive growth across EMEA partners.
- Company: Join Varley, a contemporary fashion brand empowering women worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy 50% off employee purchases, health care after 2 years, and 25 days holiday.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic, supportive environment focused on quality and innovation.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in wholesale with strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Be part of a close-knit, female-led team that values diversity and inclusivity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Who we are:
Varley is a contemporary fashion brand for the modern woman. Founded in 2015 by husband-and-wife Lara and Ben Mead, we are an international, family-run business headquartered between London, Los Angeles, and New York. We offer year-round collections, including knitwear, outerwear, and everyday staples, complemented by active pieces to create an elevated wardrobe for how you live and move. We are defined by the women who wear Varley and exist to instil quiet confidence, creating collections that enhance everything they already are. As women’s lives evolve, so do we.
We are looking for a Head of Wholesale EMEA (Maternity Cover) to oversee the regional wholesale strategy and drive commercial, profitable growth across wholesale partners, agents and distributors. Based in London, this role operates from the company’s Carnaby street office/Marylebone showroom and reports directly to the CEO. The role is hybrid and based 3 days a week in our Soho office/ Marylebone showroom and 2 days working from home outside of market. In market days in the showroom can increase to facilitate customer appointments.
Responsibilities
- Deliver the EMEA wholesale strategy aligned with global commercial objectives.
- Lead seasonal sales planning, including forecasting, budgeting, and achieving revenue targets.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key buyers, introducing new strategic partners each season.
- Conduct market appointments in London and Paris, ensuring clients’ OTB plans are met.
- Drive sell-in and sell-out growth across key partners, being accountable for all forward order and in-season business.
- Ensure best possible representation of the brand across these partners.
- Oversee existing 3rd party agents and distributors in the region.
- Focus on new business development identifying opportunities to expand with aligned partners.
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing sales team.
- Negotiate contracts, trading terms, and annual agreements.
- Ensure brand consistency, compliance, and alignment across partners.
- Maintain strong awareness of the competitive landscape and communicate market insights internally.
- Conduct weekly business analysis on KPI’s and share performance updates for major accounts and market as a whole.
- Work cross-functionally with operations, finance, and logistics to ensure a smooth end-to-end sales process.
- Negotiate and support commercial activations such as pop-ups, trainings, and marketing collaborations.
- Represent the company in a positive and supportive manner at all times.
Experience and Skills
- Minimum 7 years of wholesale experience, including team management.
- Strong network and deep knowledge of the contemporary, athleisure or luxury market across Europe.
- Sales-driven mindset with excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- Highly organised, detail-oriented, and comfortable in a hands-on environment.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, able to collaborate effectively with other teams and external partners.
- Team player with the adaptability to thrive in a small, lean structure.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. Other languages a plus.
- Ability to be calm under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Strong reporting and analytical skills.
- Highly motivated and proactive, able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
- Desirable: proficient in NuOrder or similar B2B platform.
- A love of fashion and Varley as a brand and company.
- Flexible to travel.
Benefits
- Employee Purchase Scheme with 50% off for employees.
- Friend and Family Purchase Scheme with 20% off.
- Access to Bupa Health care after 2 years.
- 25 Days Holiday.
Our People
We think of ourselves as an international family-run business that embodies our founders’ commitment to creating timeless collections for the modern woman. What started as a company of two has grown into a close-knit team of thinkers, creators, and innovators, taking care of our clothes, each other, and our community. Split across the UK and USA, our team is 85% female, making us proud to be a brand for women, by women.
We are guided by two core beliefs: the pursuit of quality in everything we do and looking after one another. Everything else should take care of itself.
Company Values
- We are the sum of many parts.
- We pursue quality in everything we do.
- We embrace possibility and push boundaries.
- Data-driven decisions and purposeful actions.
- Our brand is timeless and valuable.
- We never compromise our product.
- We respect and exceed customer expectations.
- We choose partners who reflect our values.
- We grow our brand by empowering others.
- Responsibility is at the core of everything we do.
- Kindness is our guiding principle.
Head of Wholesale - Maternity Cover in City of London employer: Varley
Contact Detail:
Varley Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Wholesale - Maternity Cover in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, trade shows, or even casual meet-ups. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Know their values, products, and recent news. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Varley family.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Wholesale. Highlight your sales-driven mindset and relationship-building skills to make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the position and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Wholesale - Maternity Cover in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Fashion: When you're writing your application, let your love for fashion and Varley shine through! Share why you’re excited about the brand and how you connect with our mission to empower women.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in wholesale and team management. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Head of Wholesale, so don’t hold back on those achievements!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts well. We appreciate a well-organised application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Varley
✨Know Your Brand Inside Out
Before stepping into the interview, make sure you know Varley’s collections, values, and target audience. Familiarise yourself with their latest offerings and how they align with current trends in contemporary fashion. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their brand ethos.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and leadership abilities. Think of specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully led a team, negotiated contracts, or developed a strategy that drove sales growth. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
As the Head of Wholesale, building strong relationships is key. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed partnerships in the past. Highlight your communication style and how you adapt to different stakeholders, whether they are buyers, agents, or internal teams. This will illustrate your fit for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Mindset
Since the role involves conducting business analysis on KPIs, be prepared to discuss how you’ve used data to inform decisions in previous roles. Bring examples of how your analytical skills have led to successful outcomes, and be ready to talk about how you would approach market insights for Varley.