At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the wholesale strategy and account management for luxury beauty across EMEA.
- Company: Join Victoria Beckham Beauty, a digital-first, clean beauty brand with a luxurious touch.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on high-performance beauty and brand integrity.
- Why this job: Drive revenue and brand expansion in a fast-paced luxury market while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: 12+ years in wholesale account management, with expertise in luxury beauty and EMEA markets.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are seeking a commercially driven, retailer-savvy, and results-oriented Wholesale Account Director, International to lead the sell-in strategy and account management across our EMEA wholesale business. Reporting to the SVP, Global Wholesale and based in London, this role will own the regional P&L, retailer negotiations, and the full order-to-delivery pipeline across all EMEA markets. This individual will serve as the primary commercial leader driving regional revenue, securing door expansion, and optimising stock allocation with our most strategic luxury retail partners. The ideal candidate brings deep wholesale beauty expertise, has a proven track record of negotiating high-stakes joint business plans, and thrives in a fast-paced luxury environment where brand integrity and commercial performance must move in lockstep.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Account Management & Retailer Partnership: Own and grow strategic retailer relationships across EMEA, including department stores, prestige perfumeries, and travel retail accounts. Lead all sell-in negotiations, joint business plans (JBPs), and seasonal investment conversations with key partners. Serve as the primary point of accountability for retailer performance reviews, business updates, and executive-level relationship management.
- Commercial Strategy & P&L Ownership: Own the EMEA wholesale P&L, including revenue forecasting, gross margin management, and trade investment planning. Develop annual and seasonal commercial plans by retailer, market, and category to deliver against regional revenue targets. Partner with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis; provide regular performance reporting to the SVP, Global Wholesale.
- Door Expansion & Distribution Strategy: Identify and secure door expansion opportunities across EMEA in line with the brand’s distribution strategy. Negotiate launch terms, fixture investments, and sampling commitments to maximise retailer support at point of sale. Partner with Wholesale Sales (Sell-Out) leadership to ensure new door openings are fully resourced and commercially activated.
- Order-to-Delivery & Operations: Optimise the order-to-delivery pipeline, partnering with Demand Planning, Operations, and Logistics to ensure on-time, in-full delivery across all EMEA markets. Manage stock allocation, replenishment cadence, and launch volumes by retailer to maximise sell-through and minimise out-of-stocks. Lead resolution of commercial disputes, chargebacks, and returns with retail partners.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner closely with the Wholesale Sales Director, International (Sell-Out) to ensure sell-in plans are fully aligned with field execution and trade marketing activations. Collaborate with Marketing, PR, and Education to align retailer-specific 360 plans and animation calendars. Represent the EMEA wholesale business to global leadership and serve as the commercial voice of the region in cross-functional forums.
Experience
- Has 12+ years of wholesale account management experience in luxury beauty or prestige retail, with at least 5 years in a senior account leadership role across EMEA.
- Has owned regional P&Ls for major prestige beauty retailers (e.g., Selfridges, Harrods, Galeries Lafayette, Sephora EU, Douglas, Space NK, El Corte Inglés).
- A skilled negotiator who has led high-stakes JBP, terms, and trade investment conversations with global retailer leadership.
- Deep understanding of EMEA retail landscapes, distribution norms, and country-specific commercial dynamics.
- Proven ability to translate brand equity into commercial outcomes - balancing brand integrity with disciplined revenue growth.
- Highly analytical, comfortable working across forecasting models, sell-in/sell-out reporting, and gross margin analysis.
- Demonstrated success driving door expansion and new market entry in EMEA, including travel retail and emerging European markets.
Victoria Beckham Beauty is built on the promise of high-performance beauty through Victoria’s own discerning designer eye. Launched in September 2019, it is a digital-first, clean and cruelty-free beauty brand, designed to elevate your beauty routine. The brand offers a highly-edited collection of clean, inclusive skincare and makeup whilst building towards the entry into new beauty categories. Created for those seeking a simplified selection of clinically-validated, highly efficacious products in a refined luxurious experience, each product and touchpoint are an authentic extension of Victoria’s real-life discoveries and lifestyle. The award-winning formulas are guaranteed to deliver on the promise of Luxury Performance, Clean Beauty. Based in NYC, it operates as a Global Organization in partnership alongside the Victoria Beckham fashion label, based in London.
Wholesale Account Director, International in City of London employer: Victoria Beckham Beauty
Victoria Beckham Beauty is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Based in London, the Wholesale Account Director role provides unique opportunities to lead strategic partnerships within the luxury beauty sector, while enjoying a collaborative environment that values innovation and brand integrity. Employees benefit from competitive compensation, comprehensive training, and the chance to be part of a pioneering brand that is committed to clean and cruelty-free beauty.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Wholesale Account Director, International in City of London
✨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 Victoria Beckham Beauty 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 Victoria Beckham Beauty 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 Victoria Beckham Beauty 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 Victoria Beckham Beauty.
We think you need these skills to ace Wholesale Account Director, International in City of London
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 Victoria Beckham Beauty.
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 Victoria Beckham Beauty. 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 Victoria Beckham Beauty
✨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 Victoria Beckham Beauty 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 Victoria Beckham Beauty.
✨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, Victoria Beckham Beauty 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!
