Concessions Area Manager Germany (North)

WHO WE ARE

White Stuff was established in 1985 through a simple idea. This idea grew and now we have shops and concessions in the UK and internationally, selling women’s and men’s clothing as well as beautiful accessories and homeware. Our original prints (all designed in house), intricate details and considered design touches reflect our personality and make us subtly distinctive.

Our people are at the heart of our brand, constantly moving and driving us forward. We’re sociable, talented and like-minded and we’re not hierarchical or political in how we do business. We encourage entrepreneurial ideas and accountability at all levels.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE JOB

The Concession Area Manager is responsible for the service, cost management, operations, standards and people management and development in our Concession formats within North Germany.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Financial/ Commercial Performance:

• Deliver sales growth and cost management in line with international strategy and agreed budgets
• Support the development of annual budget plans for the concessions to achieve agreed KPI’s on sales, payroll, shrinkage, cost and ultimately profit
• Analyse concession performance and trends and take timely and appropriate action to drive sales and profitability
• Maintains control over expenses to maximise profits in concessions
• Operate within a multi-channel framework understanding how concessions and online can complement each other and drive brand awareness
• Managing payroll budgeting and the control of payment-to-sales (PTS) ratio

Brand, Standards & Service:

• Full responsibility for ensuring all concessions implement and adhere to the brand visual guidelines, standards and POS implantation, maintained through constant review on visits
• Develops the visual skill base across the Area to deliver inspiring, commercial and on-brand presentation and layout
• Ensure the provision of outstanding customer service throughout the concessions to drive new customer acquisition, repeat purchase and increased loyalty
• Have a detailed understanding of the brand expectations ensuring consistent brand execution and that White Stuff points of difference are a competitive advantage internationally
• Provide input into localised Marketing opportunities and PR activity to support brand growth and performance

Operations :

• Implement and maintain robust and efficient operational processes and consistent daily, weekly and seasonal rhythm and routine in all concessions.
• Conduct visits, both announced and unannounced in a systematic and consistent manner, ensuring timely reports are filed and relevant feedback cascaded
• Ability to provide meaningful stock feedback and present any product opportunities which can be used to drive sales
• Take responsibility for shrinkage, reporting internal security issues and staff safety risks
• Ensure adherence to company procedure, policies, local regulations and to concession operations/execution contract terms, protecting the Company’s assets, brand and people
• Establish and maintain agreements with external partners to protect products, trade and operations

Leading the Team and Building Relationships:

• Role model the White Stuff brand values and cultural DNA and ensure embedded within all concessions
• Ensure strong relationships are developed and maintained with our international concession partners
• Build relationships with relevant WS HQ and DC teams including People, Logistics, Finance & Marketing
• Manage, coach and motivate direct reports to company competency standard and deliver outstanding employee engagement, retention and development of key talent
• Instil in all concession teams a pride in their concession and the product range

Market Expert :

• Use local market expertise and insight to ensure flexibility in execution of operations and policy where needed to meet customer expectation and comply with local regulations
• Keep abreast of competitor activity and encourage managers to become the local ‘market’ expert, helping to generate sales and business opportunities within their area
• Take ownership of and coordinate all new concession openings, with support of department functions

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• Strong experience of multisite management of shops and/or concessions within a busy fashion retail shop environment: brand execution, operations, team management
• Knowledge of German retail market, how to translate a brand internationally, German local regulations and business level German language skills
• Track record of driving sales growth, managing costs and delivering exceptional service and standards
• Affinity to, and understanding of, the White Stuff brand
• Able to inspire the concessions teams through strong commercial and communication skills and provide insight, expertise and coaching to improve performance and execution
• A genuine passion for driving customer experience through engagement with the local community
• Ability to develop strong relationships both internally and externally including concession partners, UK retail, People team, Finance, Merchandising, IT, Logistics
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, being hands on and being accountable for your results
• Self-starter with excellent time management: identify and manage local opportunities and risks and work remotely without supervision. Manage own time and travel budget to ensure business objectives are met.
• Planning and organizing: Ability to build commercial plans and to prioritise across multiple trade and project workstreams. Clearly document trade and individual concession opportunities, risks and actions and be driven to deliver the follow up.
• Brand ambassador: Represent the brand in a professional manner in discussions with concession partners and other third parties
• Able to travel to UK and other European markets as required

WHAT WE’LL OFFER YOU

As an Area Manager at White Stuff you will be entitled to an array of great benefits, some of which include:

• Half yearly bonus opportunity
• Up to 30 days holiday per annum
• 2 extra (paid!) days off per year to volunteer in the local community
• 50% discount
• Uniform allowance

We are committed to creating an environment where we can all be proud to work and be ourselves. Part of this commitment is being an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, and age.