Interim Head of Beauty (12 months FTC)

Job Description

The Head of Beauty is responsible for global e-concession brand-facing relationships and is consulted on brand-facing relationships with wholesale brands through Violet Grey and Browns by their respective Buying managers. This role is responsible for the supply of Beauty on FARFETCH, ensuring the sub-category, brand, & product assortment is aligned to delivering GTV targets. As such, this role oversees driving the success of existing e-concession brand partnerships, as well as delivering a pre-defined pipeline of new partnerships (outreach/pitch, commercial negotiations, operational setup, launch, and ongoing trade). The Beauty E-Concessions Manager and their team (Senior E-Concessions Executive, Trade Executive, and Online Merchandiser) will report into this role and support across their relevant focus areas, in particular managing relationships with existing brand partners and collaborating closely with FARFETCH Marketing to drive a comprehensive support plan that delivers on both Commercial & Brand objectives.

The Beauty operating model is supported by Fulfilled-by-FARFETCH capabilities, and therefore, the Head of Beauty will work with new beauty partners on their operational setup, providing high-level overview of processes and acting as the bridge between Commercial and Operations (Partner Success as subject matter experts). The Senior Beauty Planner will report into this role, with accountability for managing stock intake across all partners into FxFF warehouses and ensuring timely replenishment. The Head of Beauty will also oversee the Beauty Planner’s output of accurate stock & sales reporting and the delivery of the self-service Seller Tools programme for key brands.

Beauty is planned to launch in the Middle East in Q1 2023 and so the international expansion of the category beyond US and UK/EU is of strategic importance to this role. The Head of Beauty is expected to drive the Commercial must-haves for this launch with support from the local ME team, and from Strategy PMO, following the five non-negotiables that underpinned the original Beauty launch.

We are looking for a Beauty subject matter expert, a commercially-minded strategic thinker, someone who is confident with managing complicated cross-functional categories and who will influence change across senior stakeholders, both internal and external.

What You'll Do:

• Manage four headcounts on the FARFETCH Beauty team
• Drive the Beauty category against key trade targets, master supply and demand trade levers, and be the internal Beauty champion, increasing the visibility of the category across the FARFETCH ecosystem
• Build and maintain outstanding client/partner relationships through effective communications, problem-solving, and reporting
• Oversee/sign-off on product assortment & positioning with Beauty supply partners (including VG and Browns)
• Be the internal cheerleader for Beauty improvements committed to in the FTech and Operations roadmaps, e.g., HazMat by Air, Sampling & GWP, VTO expansion, etc.
• Continuously provide commercial feedback to the Fulfilled-by-FARFETCH team to improve the operational/fulfilment/delivery product offering to Beauty partners and customers
• Own the category P&L and be able to regularly update internal stakeholders on key metrics
• Co-own the Beauty Marketing calendar with Marketing counterpart, ensuring its balance between delivering Commercial and Brand objectives and driving planned-for revenue through Media Solutions
• Launch Beauty in the Middle East in Q1 2023

Who You Are:

• Beauty sector experience
• Experience within consulting and/or strong planning and organisational skills; expertise to manage and improve complex projects
• Exceptional analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills
• Strategic thinker with an emphasis on operational excellence
• Commercially minded - strong focus on business development and growth with ability to work towards metrics and targets
• Client-focused ability to pitch FARFETCH to prospective brand partners & sell the dream of what partnering with FARFETCH looks like
• Project management experience, preferably in technology / digital / e-commerce
• Strong stakeholder management – ability to influence senior characters internally and externally
• Comfortable with ambiguity

Rewards & Benefits:

• FARFETCH Equity plan and annual discretionary bonus
• Flexible benefits - Private Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Gym Memberships, Pension scheme and more
• Critical Illness Insurance and Life Assurance
• Access to Unmind: an independent and completely confidential digital mental health platform
• Flexible working environment and more!

Equal Opportunities Statement:

• FARFETCH is an equal opportunities employer ensuring that all applicants are treated equally and fairly throughout our recruitment process. We are determined that no applicant experiences discrimination on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, disability, age, gender identity, ancestry, sexual orientation, veteran status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. We continue to build our consciously inclusive culture as part of our Positively FARFETCH strategy throughout our business, partnerships and communities.