Trade Activation Manager - Aesop

L'OREAL GROUP; London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cosmetics company is looking for a Trade Activation Manager to spearhead the go-to-market strategy for Aesop. This role involves close collaboration with product, commercial, and marketing teams to drive brand presence and performance in retail. Key responsibilities include managing trade budgets, leveraging market insights, and optimizing retail partnerships. The ideal candidate should have a strategic mindset and strong collaboration skills, with the opportunity to benefit from an industry-leading benefits package.

Benefits

Up to 60% off iconic brands

Private medical and dental insurance

Discounted gym memberships

Learning opportunities through leadership programs

Qualifications

• Proven ability to translate brand plans into go-to-market strategies.
• Strong relationship-building skills with account managers and teams.
• Experience in performance measurement and reporting.
• Knowledge of sell-out levers and retailer activity plans.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute go-to-market strategy for Aesop.
• Manage trade budgets ensuring highest ROI.
• Lead tracking and reporting on activation initiatives.
• Collaborate with teams to enhance trade performance.

Skills

Strategic planning

Collaboration

Performance monitoring

Budget management

Job description

Trade Activation Manager - Aesop

I am the TRADE ACTIVATION MANAGER, and I am responsible for developing the go-to-market strategy for the brand and ensuring its execution in partnership with the commercial team for my channels. I work closely with the product and engagement team to deliver the strongest cutting edge 360 campaigns. I work closely with the commercial team, finance and RGM to influence and monitor sell out and P&L GTN. I work closely with the L'Oréal Luxe commercial team on key retailer collaborations, owning the account management responsibilities for smaller Aesop distributors.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

GO-TO-MARKET STRATEGY

• In partnership with product and commercial team, translate the brand plan to define winning brand go-to-market strategies using key market insights for my channel
• Partner with account managers to build tailored plans per retailer
• Monitor and drive store performance and productivity in my channel
• Partner with Retail & Education teams, lead pre-activation calls
• Partner with Marketing to develop activation budget & strategy
• Represent Business Unit in key meetings with Retailers
• Develop & deliver a Business Development Strategy to expand brand awareness & partnership with new resellers
• Manage & recommend open/close POS door list

MONITORING & ACCELERATING SELL OUT

• Lead the measurement, tracking and reporting on the effectiveness of all activation initiatives in order to create gather learnings, maximise efficiencies and drive ROI on all our investments
• Lead delivery of monthly reports showcasing best-in-class trade activation across retailers and competitors
• Report on door productivity and actively share with team
• Collaborate with Commercial team on PSAs
• Effective management of SLOBS

CREATING BESPOKE ACTIVATIONS FOR YOUR CHANNEL

• Manage Trade budgets for your channel ensuring highest ROI
• Brief Marketing & VM Team in partnership with the brand team to oversee delivery of brand creatives/materials to retailer (online and offline)
• Ensure market share winning plan in Q4
• Develop retailer POM, GWP & Coffret plan with relevant Trade Lead for your channel
• Forecasting, ongoing management and analysis of all trade tools inventory, including wrapping, testers and samples
• Ensure Day 1 go live check and verification of activations
• Contribute to best-in-class retailer strategy decks grounded in consumer and retail insights leading through activation, working hand in hand with the NAMs, Business Analyst, and the wider brand marketing team
• Develop and nurture trusted relationships with Zone/DMI team to influence global plans that best meet UK market requirements.

WHO YOU ARE

• A Strategic Driver: You excel at translating brand plans into winning go-to-market strategies, leveraging market insights. You collaborate closely with product, commercial, engagement, finance, and RGM teams to deliver cutting-edge 360 campaigns and ensure robust financial performance by influencing and monitoring sell-out and P&L GTN.
• A Collaborative Partner: You build strong relationships with account managers, lead pre-activation calls with Retail & Education teams, and represent the Business Unit in key meetings. You collaborate with the L\'Or\'éal Luxe commercial team on retailer partnerships and manage smaller Aesop distributors. You also nurture trusted relationships with Zone/DMI teams to align global plans with UK market requirements.
• A Performance Accelerator: You are adept at driving and monitoring store performance and productivity within your channels. You lead the measurement, tracking, and reporting of all activation initiatives to maximize efficiencies, drive ROI, and provide best-in-class monthly reports. Effective SLOBS management and collaboration with the Commercial team on PSAs are critical for accelerating sell-out.
• An Activation Innovator: You create bespoke activations for your channel, managing trade budgets for highest ROI. This includes briefing Marketing & VM Teams, overseeing brand creative delivery, ensuring market share-winning plans in Q4, and developing comprehensive POM, GWP & Coffret plans. You also handle forecasting, ongoing management, and analysis of all trade tools inventory, ensuring Day 1 go-live checks.

Your success will be measured by:

• Brand Sell-out
• Brand Sell-in
• SLOB Management

Your key deliverables and outcomes will include:

• Aligned go-to-market strategies
• A comprehensive brand strategy for your channel
• Tailored brand plans per retailer
• Acting as the channel lead for the brand in retailer strategy and collaboration meetings.

You will possess in-depth knowledge of:

• Sell-out levers
• Retailer activity plans and ROIs

WHAT WE OFFER

Our industry-leading award-winning benefits package shows how much we value our people. We know they're at the heart of L\'Or\'éal's success, so we offer a fair and competitive package to help you thrive.

• Money-saving offers, free mortgage advice, share options and an enhanced pension plan.
• Up to 60% off iconic brands like YSL, CeraVe, Armani, Kiehl's and Garnier.
• Private medical and dental insurance, discounted gym memberships, onsite mental health support.
• Enhanced family leave and up to 4 weeks of paid fertility leave.
• Learning opportunities through leadership programs and monthly expert talks.

WHO WE ARE

L\'Or\'éal is present in 150 markets on five continents. For more than a century, L\'Or\'éal has devoted itself solely to 'Create beauty that moves the world'; it is now the industry world leader with €29 billion consolidated sales. We solve complex challenges at scale while remaining committed to making the world more inclusive and better for everyone and our planet. We value agility, diversity and purpose to shape the future of beauty.

In the L\'Or\'éal Luxe Division, we create the very best of luxury beauty. Our portfolio includes 26 brands, with 17 global brands, including Lancôme, Yves Saint Laurent and Giorgio Armani. We are equipped to meet the demands of luxury consumers worldwide.

HOW WE RECRUIT

At L\'Or\'éal, we are committed to a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. Our employment practices aim to be inclusive regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, socioeconomic status, medical condition or disability, or any other protected status. We welcome different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives—the beauty of diversity fuels our innovation.