Commercial Director

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.; London; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cosmetics company is seeking a Commercial Director to support the VP GM Commercial and UK Executive Leadership Team. This role involves strategic business development, relationship building with retail partners, and managing overall sales performance. The ideal candidate has strong commercial acumen, excellent communication skills, and experience in team management. Benefits include hybrid working and generous leave policies.

Benefits

Hybrid working (2 days WFH, 3 days office)

25 days annual leave plus birthday leave

Holiday purchase options

Bonus and car allowance

Equity

Remote work options

Mental health initiatives

Staff discounts

Qualifications

• Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels with a hands-on approach.
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical skills.
• Excellent influencing and persuasion skills.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of the regional channel strategy.
• Lead, manage, and develop a Commercial Manager.
• Hold regular meetings with retailers to review business performance.

Skills

Strategic and operational expertise

Strong commercial acumen

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Relationship building

Written communication

Verbal communication

Team management

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Proficiency in Microsoft Word

Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Header

As the Commercial Director, you will support the VP GM Commercial and UK Executive Leadership Team to grow the business through strategic development, building strong relationships with retail partners, and exploring new business opportunities.

Description

Strategy

• Support the development and execution of the regional channel strategy.
• Develop strategic growth plans by retailer, identifying key building blocks, aligning with retail partners and brands across all channels (bricks and clicks), including a deep understanding of the retailer, consumer, and business drivers.
• Implement strategic plans, setting milestones and success criteria.

Trading

• Work with Brand and functional teams to be responsible for the overall sales performance of specific retailers.
• Support brands in delivering monthly/quarterly sales goals.

Retailer Relationships/Operations

• Hold regular retailer meetings, prepare discussion points, and follow up with brands post-meeting.
• Review business performance and address issues such as stock and marketing support.
• Identify new opportunities.
• Organize meetings and briefing notes for retailer induction, regular retailer meetings, and top-to-top meetings.
• Negotiate trading terms regarding margin, payment, staffing costs, etc.
• Communicate and follow up on cost price changes.
• Support retail staffing discussions in line with regional strategy.
• Partner with Store Design on store refits, site allocations, space management, and capital expenditure negotiations.

Internal

• Participate in regular commercial meetings and follow up on opportunities/issues.
• Ensure effective communication with brands and functions.
• Develop function-to-function retailer partnerships, e.g., finance, supply chain.
• Lead or support additional commercial projects as needed.

Team

• Lead, manage, and develop a Commercial Manager to build capability, foster retail partnerships, and maximize sales and profitability.

Qualifications

• Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels with a hands-on approach.
• Strong commercial acumen, numeracy, analytical, and negotiation skills.
• Build and develop strong collaborative relationships internally and externally.
• Influencing and persuasion skills with proven success.
• Innovative with high potential areas.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Experience in managing and developing a team.
• Passionate, committed, adaptable, and proactive.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Benefits

• Hybrid working (2 days WFH, 3 days office).
• 25 days annual leave plus birthday leave.
• Holiday purchase options, bonus, car allowance, equity.
• Remote work up to two weeks/year, summer Fridays, staff discounts.
• Mental health initiatives, discounts, employee resource groups, LinkedIn Learning.