Aesop Head of Retail

About Aesop

Aesop makes skin, hair and body care, fragrances and scents for the home. It began in a Melbourne hair salon in 1987 and joined L’Oréal in 2023.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead commercial performance, retail expansion and client experience across Aesop signature stores and department store counters in South Korea.
• Manage, oversee and develop multiple stores and counters to achieve sales targets across designated domestic doors.
• Develop Aesop’s reputation and profile, and grow the customer base for designated stores and counters through local community participation, business relationships and relevant special events.
• Monitor store and counter sales and KPI performance against annual budgets; provide regular sales and cost reports for management and coaching of Regional Business Managers (RBMs) and Store and Counter Managers.
• Inform, motivate and coach retail staff to analyze sales against budgets and team KPI performance.
• Analyze business reports, devise strategies to enhance performance and address issues, and review weekly sales and product performance to identify sales opportunities.
• Identify new retail doors and relocation opportunities; negotiate and review leases as required, and project-manage store-opening timelines and staffing requirements.
• Build and maintain relationships with key retailers, particularly department store counter partners, and work with Marketing and RBMs to develop business relationships and sales opportunities.
• Review and analyze P&L reports; guide and coach RBMs in identifying strategies to manage controllable expenses and improve profitability.
• Manage and authorize major store and counter expenditures, keeping costs within the budgets forecast in the annual financial plan.
• Ensure store and counter issues, including maintenance, cleaning and occupational health and safety, are reported to the appropriate department and resolved promptly and effectively.
• Work with Store and Counter Managers and Head Office to implement process and system improvements or modifications; conduct regular store and counter reviews and document actions and issues.
• Implement and maintain robust systems and processes to minimize revenue loss from theft, poor administration, error and waste at store and counter level.
• Lead and mentor RBMs to develop their leadership of Store Managers and teams in customer focus, service and operational excellence.
• Work with HR to establish programs and frameworks that strengthen RBMs’ operational, commercial and management capabilities.
• Contribute to performance-management framework improvements, including Development Conversations and Probationary Reviews; address performance and Employee Relations issues promptly with HR and minimal business impact.
• Hold structured meetings with supply chain, marketing and training teams to review performance, improve efficiency, identify opportunities, gather feedback and implement actions; initiate and participate in summits, conferences and meetings with global teams.
• Maintain regular, effective communication with internal colleagues in a manner appropriate to Aesop, and actively communicate and support Head Office directives.
• Ensure operational incidents and problems are reported and documented; work with the Retail Development Coordinator to create maintenance schedules for each retail door and complete annual work to maintain high standards of finish and presentation.
• Work with retail staff to keep all retail doors in pristine condition and aligned with Aesop policies.
• Educate team members on Aesop’s approach to customer service and consultations, and ensure they uphold it; regularly work on the floor with Store Managers and Retail Consultants, coaching them in selling and conduct within retail spaces.
• Work with the Aesop Marketing team and Country Manager on a regional strategic marketing plan; coach Store Managers on brand management and store and product presentation standards.
• Support promotional plans for new store openings, including editorial coverage, opening parties and press events, and direct mail.
• Develop tactics to ensure strong representation of Aesop across retail doors and department store counters; build local community relationships and support in-store events.
• Ensure team members understand and meet Aesop’s dress and grooming standards, and set an appropriate example when in stores.

Qualifications

• Over 15 years of experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-door retail operations, store openings and commercial strategies in beauty or premium retail.
• Strong competence in retail P&L oversight, store operating expense control and budget optimization.
• Proven ability to uphold bespoke client consultations, impeccable store presentation and meaningful community events.
• Experience coaching regional managers and store leaders, conducting structured development conversations and strengthening leadership bench strength.
• Professional working proficiency in Korean and English.
• Credibility negotiating with landlords and collaborating with global teams.
• Affinity for Aesop’s heritage and a passion for developing people.

Skills

Experience

Over 15 years

Benefits

An inclusive and supportive environment; opportunities to grow beyond one’s potential, take responsibility from day one, and contribute to societal and environmental causes.

Culture

In an Aesop store, consultants demonstrate products and help visitors choose a routine. The architecture varies by location, down to the materials used around the demonstration basin.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.