Wholesale Account Executive – Amenities & Corporate | London
For over 35 years, Aesop has carefully cultivated an inspiring and inclusive environment in which our employees are supported and encouraged to thrive. As a global retail organisation, we offer professional development and advancement opportunities to complement career goals and aspirations.
Our approach to skin care involves meticulous attention to detail, using only the most efficacious ingredients to create formulations which stir the self and senses. The same meticulous approach is taken during our recruitment process, seeking out considered and inspired individuals with a wealth of perspectives who bring out the best in themselves and others.
We aim to strike the right balance between people, planet and profit, actively reducing our footprint on the planet that generously sustains us. So far, this journey has led us to become a certified B Corp. We are committed to building a more sustainable and inclusive society.
Role purpose
The Wholesale Account Executive will work with the Head of Wholesale to assist in the expansion of Aesop’s Wholesale business within UK & Ireland, with a specific focus on Amenity & Corporate partnerships.
The role will be responsible for supporting and developing a select group of accounts to maximise the exposure and representation of the Aesop brand and products through an effective and relevant presence across a range of amenity & corporate partnerships, including but not limited to hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality ventures.
The Wholesale Account Executive will also support on UK&I strategy for amenity alongside the Global Head of Amenities & Business Development and Commercial Director, UK&I.
Role responsibilities include, but not limited to –
Account Management:
- Take ownership of customer relationships, ensure regular meetings are scheduled, organise, and lead the meetings and ensure all relevant internal stakeholders are aligned.
- Work cross functionally with finance, supply chain, operations, training, marketing, and other teams to ensure customers have a full 360 growth plan where appropriate.
- Work on appropriate product ranges with customers ensuring the brand is appropriately represented within existing amenity establishments
- Collaborating with regional supply chain to ensure smooth flow of stock and stock allocation when needed
- Having a pro-active and collaborative approach to problem solving
- Communicating directly with customers in a clear concise manner and building relationships both internally and externally
- Assist in building annual customer budgets and forecasts regionally for the amenity channel.
- Deliver sales to budget and control spend.
- Identify and understand potential new revenue streams and customers, presenting opportunities internally and building the case for opening new amenity distribution where appropriate.
- Proactively seek out new business, establish new partnerships in key markets/cities across the region.
- Manage the onboarding process for all new amenity accounts. Agreeing and negotiating commercial terms.
- Take ownership of the day-to-day order process, working closely with Supply Chain to ensure order process efficiency.
- Build relationships with key Signature Store Managers and Retail Business Managers, utilising their local knowledge to establish and support the onboarding of local amenity partnerships.
- Influencing and leading to ensure Aesop is presented in the best possible way at all times and in all locations.
- Analyse data, track business performance, assist in reporting and identifying issues and opportunities.
- Proactively communicating internally, the needs of the Wholesale business and influencing to ensure these needs are met
- Working with finance to understand customer invoice and any accounting discrepancies and resolving matters in due course
- Maintaining customer data files
Business Development:
- Develop and deliver an ambitious Amenity & Corporate expansion strategy for the UK&I market
- Identify and understand potential new and brand-aligned revenue streams and customers, presenting opportunities internally and building the case for opening new distribution where appropriate
- Proactively seek out new business, establish new partnerships in key markets/cities across the region
- Manage the onboarding process for all new wholesale accounts
- Agreeing and negotiating commercial terms
- Providing excellent Account Management for new accounts, per the standards for existing accounts listed above
This is a full time position operating with a hybrid working pattern.
What We Are Looking For
- Open mindset and deep curiosity seeking to understand others, listen without judgement and act on diverse perspectives
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive and psychologically safe work environment
- Experience managing premium / luxury consumer goods across the European region
- International experience within hospitality sector with a marketing background a strong advantage
- Account management skills and an ability to demonstrate success in driving growth through building relationships and influencing.
- Negotiation skills and an ability to optimise commercial terms with partners
- Strong analytical skills combined with an ability to use data to build growth strategies
- Hands-on, practical problem solving and an ability to communicate ideas and escalate internally when needed
- An ability to think strategically and fully understand the longer-term brand impact of decisions
- Experience working with both physical and digital customers desired
- Strong data analysis and presentation skills
- An ability to deal with ambiguity in a growth organisation with a unique culture
- An international mindset and a desire to work within a global / regional team
What’s On Offer
We take a holistic approach to employment, promoting professional development, career growth, employee wellbeing initiatives and encouraging deep connections with the local community through the Aesop Foundation, volunteering and matched giving programs. Employee benefits include -
- Flexible, hybrid working pattern
- Generous product discount allowance and bi-annual complimentary product allocation
- Paid volunteering allowance for all employees
- Bonus opportunity based on personal, and business, performance
- Suite of options to aid development, including complimentary access to LinkedIn Learning, in-house Product and Core skills training and study support opportunities
- Access to employee assistance programmes, complimentary subscription to Headspace mindfulness app and summer hours options.
Aesop is committed to attracting, developing and retaining the very best people by offering a creative and inclusive workplace where talent is truly recognised and rewarded. We are committed to promoting inclusion for all with the belief that diversity, inclusion and belonging plays an important role in the success of our organisation.
