Head of Retail - Travel

JR United Kingdom; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the travel retail sector is seeking a Head of Retail to shape their retail strategy and drive sales. This role offers a unique opportunity to oversee retail operations and manage commercial relationships within international environments. Initially part-time, the position is set to expand, allowing for impactful contributions in a dynamic industry. Candidates should possess extensive experience in high-volume retail environments, especially within duty-free.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years experience in high-volume retail, preferably in duty-free.
• Proven success in driving sales growth in a multi-store environment.
• Strong understanding of retail operations and concession agreements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement overall retail strategy for duty-free activities.
• Drive sales targets across all stores via merchandising and promotions.
• Manage budgets and analyze sales data for senior management reporting.

Skills

Sales Growth

Inventory Management

Retail Operations

Leadership

Customer Service

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

The Change Partners - Global talent specialists for a connected world

Location:

Doncaster, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Views:

4

Posted:

04.06.2025

Expiry Date:

19.07.2025

Job Description:

The Change Partners are working with an iconic Travel brand that is looking for a Head of Retail on an initial contract to permanent basis, starting part-time (1-2 days per week initially, increasing over time).

The Head of Retail will be responsible for the overall retail strategy and execution, including Duty Free and Operator tender management and implementation, working closely with Operators for retail execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the overall retail strategy for all duty-free and tender activities, aligning with company objectives and market trends.
• Drive sales targets and profitability across all stores through effective merchandising, promotions, and sales team motivation.
• Oversee all aspects of retail operations, including inventory management, visual merchandising, store maintenance, and adherence to operational standards and regulations specific to duty-free and tender environments.
• Manage and execute outlet implementation with operators.
• Champion a customer-centric approach, ensuring exceptional service delivery and a memorable shopping experience for diverse international travelers.
• Manage budgets, analyze sales data, control costs, and provide regular commercial reports to senior management.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with relevant authorities, concessionaires, brand partners, and other key stakeholders in the duty-free and tender ecosystem.
• Stay informed about industry trends, competitor activities, and traveler demographics to identify new opportunities and inform strategic decisions.
• Participate in and oversee the development of competitive tender bids for new and existing retail concessions, demonstrating a deep understanding of commercial terms and operational requirements.

Your background:

• Minimum of 5 years experience in high-volume retail, with significant experience specifically within duty-free, travel retail, airports/rail, or similar international concession environments.
• Proven success in driving sales growth and profitability in a multi-store retail portfolio.
• Strong understanding of duty-free operational complexities, retail operations, and concession agreements.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and manage diverse teams.
• Proven financial acumen, including budget management, forecasting, and P&L responsibility.