Head of Retail - High-Street

Vertical Advantage; England; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A thriving beauty & wellness business in the UK is seeking a strategic Head of Retail to lead retail partnerships and drive international expansion. This senior role requires full P&L ownership and the ability to forge relationships with key retailers. Responsibilities include managing retail accounts, negotiating agreements, and partnering with various departments for execution. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the beauty or FMCG sectors, excellent negotiation skills, and the capability to influence at senior levels. Join this purpose-led organization and shape its growth in the EMEA region.

Benefits

Leadership role in a fast-growing business

Opportunities for international expansion

Collaborative and entrepreneurial team

Qualifications

• Proven track record in senior commercial/account management within beauty or FMCG.
• Experience managing top UK retail accounts.
• Strong negotiation and financial management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow major retail accounts across the UK & Europe.
• Develop and deliver Joint Business Plans and customer strategies.
• Negotiate retailer agreements and oversee marketing activations.

Skills

Commercial account management

Negotiation skills

Financial management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Job description

An ambitious Beauty & Wellness business is looking for a strategic and commercially astute Head of Retail to lead its UK retail partnerships and play a pivotal role in driving international expansion. Reporting directly to the Commercial Director, this is a senior, high-impact role with full P&L ownership and direct visibility to global leadership.

The Opportunity

As Head of Retail, you’ll own relationships with leading UK and European retailers, steering the commercial agenda across multiple markets. From shaping Joint Business Plans and trade terms to driving execution in-store and online, you’ll have the mandate to deliver sustainable growth and set the business up for EMEA expansion in 2026.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and grow major retail accounts across the UK & Europe with full P&L ownership.
• Develop and deliver Joint Business Plans and customer strategies that drive category growth.
• Negotiate retailer agreements, promotions, and trade terms.
• Oversee shopper marketing activations across digital, in-store, and POS channels.
• Partner with Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain to ensure seamless execution.
• Manage forecasting, promotional investment, and trade spend to maximise ROI.
• Provide insight-led performance reviews and recommendations to senior leadership.

About You

• Proven track record in senior commercial / account management within beauty, personal care, or FMCG.
• Experience managing top UK retail accounts (grocery, health & beauty, or high-street).
• Strong JBP, negotiation, and financial management skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Comfortable working at pace and across time zones in an international business.
• Confident communicator with leadership capability.

Why Join?

• Play a key leadership role in a fast-growing, purpose-led business.
• Shape the expansion into EMEA in 2026.
• Work across a diverse portfolio of beauty & wellness brands with strong consumer appeal.
• Join an entrepreneurial, collaborative team with direct visibility to global leadership.