Brand Manager
The company
The Swatch Group Ltd is an international group active in the manufacture and sale of finished watches, jewellery, watch movements and components. Swatch Group supplies nearly all components required for the watches sold by its 16 watch and jewellery brands under its roof: Breguet, Harry Winston, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Léon Hatot, Omega, Longines, Rado, Union Glashütte, Tissot, Balmain, Certina, Mido, Hamilton, Swatch and Flik Flak; as well as by its two retail brands, Tourbillon and Hour Passion. The Group’s production companies also supply movements and components to third-party watchmakers. The Swatch Group Ltd is also a key player in the manufacture and sale of electronic systems used in watchmaking and other industries. With its watch brands, it is also a leader in the field of sports event timing as official timekeeper and data-handler of most of the Olympic Games of the last decades and major international sports events.
Rado enjoys a worldwide reputation as a leader in the development of innovative materials in watchmaking, including high-tech ceramic. Thanks to decades of unrelenting research and development backed by the experience and exceptional craft skills of our watchmakers, developers and engineers, Rado is known today as the "Master of Materials".
As Brand Manager, you will be responsible for all aspects of the wholesale operation with a focus on driving and enhancing sales, delivering brand strategy and effective people management. All the while ensuring protection of the brand and its exposure within the UK market is carefully monitored and managed.
The Brand Manager is responsible for the successful implementation and supervision of agreed objectives and plans and should at all times strive to achieve and set the highest standards.
Job description
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage the day to day activities and operations of the brand in the UK
- Manage the budget, balance sheet and income statement for the brand
- Direct the people management aspect including recruitment, training, coaching and hands-on involvement with the team to ensure sales techniques and standards are delivered
- Seek new distribution opportunities including the completion of tenders and internal SG documents to acquire appropriate funding
- Drive and seek continuous improvement on product sales
- Develop annual business plans
- Implement corporate and international procedures (sales techniques, security etc.)
- Establish the highest level of communication with the Country Manager, Brand Vice President and Headquarters
- Prepare and submit the brand’s management reports
- Prepare and submit the Sales/Marketing and Communication plans for the UK. Adopt the brand’s marketing concept for the UK, assisted by the Country Manager, in line with the brand’s worldwide concept
- With local HR, Country Manager and the brand discuss the team strategy and enable the brand to achieve its objectives
- Manage relationships with retailers
- Provide recommendations and consult with Brand HQ regarding overall product, communication and distribution strategies (in close collaboration with the Country Manager)
- Inform the Country Manager and HQ of any extraordinary, irregular points or elements within your field of responsibility
- Establish Sales/Expense budgets for the division, ensuring they are in line with SG policy for the UK, and budget limits are respected
- Responsible for the execution and delivery of payment terms/accounts receivable in line with the SG policy for the UK
- Suggest and execute the distribution policy for the country in line with SG and Brand HQ overall distribution policy
- Pricing of products according to the international pricing policy of the brand and in line with defined SG policy for the UK
- Responsible for the purchase from Switzerland and the control of inventory levels (qualitative/quantitative) in line with SG policy for the country
- Responsible for the inventory, level shall not exceed maximum amounts set forth by SG policy
- Supervise the correct usage of display materials by customers
- Supervise and manage the merchandising of customers in line with the marketing policy of Brand HQ
- Assist Customer Services to achieve the expected level of service as outlined by brand HQ
- Constantly look to improve the brand’s position within retail environments
- Maintain all paperwork relating to the opening and closure of all accounts
- Manage stock replenishment of accounts ensuring core profile is maintained and sales are not lost
- Assemble and execute the marketing budget whilst, monitoring, updating and reporting marketing costs through the correct financial reporting structures
- Coordinate budget activity, logging invoices and reconciling with the accounts department
- Negotiate advertising/promotional activity where appropriate
- Work closely with HQ Marketing and PR and put together engaging initiatives for accounts to drive sales
- Forecasting and reporting of accounts sales
- Prepare annual sales forecasts and objectives for each of your accounts
- Make all necessary arrangements for any new product launch, price lists, special POS requirements
- Deal with the logistical side of Rado within the UK, including liaising with sales, logistics and raising necessary sales orders on SAP
- Ensure customer enquiries are dealt with in an efficient manner
- Make all necessary arrangements for any new product launch, price lists, special POS requirements.
Profile
- Proven and demonstrable wholesale management experience, ideally within prestige watches and/or jewellery
- People management experience, able to motivate and manage teams to deliver successful sales and excellent levels of customer service
- Innovative individual with strong sales and marketing experience
- Economic awareness with a strong business acumen
- Excellent presentation and communication skills
- Flexible approach to work and willing on occasion to stay away from home
- Desire, ability and willingness to take on new and additional responsibility if the role develops beyond its existing parameters.