Head of Retail

SUMMARY:
Our client is looking for a dynamic and experienced Head of Retail to lead the overall strategy, sal

POSITION INFO:

Our client is looking for a dynamic and experienced Head of Retail to lead the overall strategy, sales, marketing, profitability, and operations of the retail division. This role requires a strategic thinker who can inspire a diverse team and deliver on financial and operational targets.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, execute, and update strategic expansion plans for new store openings.
• Provide input into the strategic direction of the Retail Department in areas such as turnover, profitability, budgets, and departmental structure.
• Drive sustainable long-term growth for the division through a comprehensive strategic plan.
• Manage reporting of financial and management information for the retail department, ensuring brand image and compliance with relevant legislation and company policies.
• Plan and manage internal communications within the retail department.
• Assess ROI for merchandising and marketing programs to inform future strategies that drive sales.
• Ensure short- and long-term objectives align with the overall strategy.
• Deliver agreed sales and profit targets for the retail division, focusing on outstanding customer service and satisfaction.
• Hold staff accountable for exceptional service standards and ensure full product knowledge.
• Design and implement the annual sales and marketing plan.
• Collaborate with Product and Marketing teams on product development feasibility, merchandising, and promotions.
• Partner with Finance and IT to establish effective tracking systems.
• Provide monthly performance reports to the CEO.
• Manage POS systems, and oversee forecasting, labor, and stock shrinkage.
• Lead sales forecasting, SKU-level planning, and the sales & operations planning (S&OP) process.
• Foster a culture where employees understand the brand and have comprehensive product knowledge.
• Execute brand equity strategies to enhance in-store consumer experience, aligning with consumer desires through collaboration with the Marketing Department.
• Monitor sales performance by product segment and adjust in-store strategies as needed.
• Work with Supply Chain for optimized order and delivery processes.
• Manage store lease negotiations, third-party service agreements, and equipment maintenance.
• Conduct quarterly maintenance reviews for all sites.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, lead recruitment for retail management, and implement training schedules covering company policies, product knowledge, and customer service.
• Motivate staff to achieve sales and profit targets, regularly communicating with Training, Retail, and Store Managers on sales, performance, and best practices.
• Support succession planning and conduct performance evaluations for all direct reports.
• Apply best practices in Work Health & Safety (OHSA) compliance, ensuring new store setups support safe work environments.
• Enforce food safety and hygiene standards in stores.

Key Skills:

• Strategic thinking and strong analytical skills.
• Exceptional leadership abilities to inspire, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with innovative problem-solving skills.
• Customer-focused with a commitment to quality and service excellence.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to set clear performance targets.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Experience managing profit/loss in a multi-unit organization.
• Previous experience in the food or chocolate industry is advantageous.
• Intermediate proficiency in Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Qualifications:

• 4-6 years of experience in Hospitality or Retail management within a premium environment.
• Proven success in strategic development and implementation.