Managing Director SEA

PURPOSE:                              

The main purpose of the Managing Director SEA role is to drive continuous growth of the brand’s retail performance and key results in the region, while protecting the brand equity. As a key liaison between Headquarters and regional office, you are responsible for leading and orchestrating the boutique and office teams to effectively build and implement local strategies, as well as to take proactive actions to reach strategic objectives and excellence in execution.  Thanks to your strong interpersonal, managerial skills and an entrepreneurial mindset, you will meet sales objectives, build long-lasting and loyal client relationships, assemble and lead a top-notch regional team.

KEY CONTACTS

Maison CEO and EXCOs, Richemont Regional Functions, Brand Manager communities both in the local market and in the Maison, SWM Division team, Group Central Functions, Clients, business partners, press and journalists, service providers

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. SALES & BUDGET MANAGEMENT

• Achieve regional commercial targets in accordance with brand strategy.
• Drive retailization in the region. Improve individual store productivity and optimize distribution network.
• Is responsible for the regional P&L. Control the cost and take corrective actions where necessary.
• Regularly analyze the sales development, identify the opportunities and challenges, implement effective action plans.

2. CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

• Lead and support the entire team to prospect, develop, close and retain new and existing customers.
• Optimize the Customer Equation and other client KPIs to improve the productivity of boutiques and marketing campaigns.
• Enhance customer’s in-store experience via a consistent selling ceremony and in-store events. Pursue client recruitment and accelerate client relationships development from awareness, interest, conversion to loyalty.
• Monitor the management of region’s top customers and their individual customer journey to maintain their loyalty.
• Design and implement brand activities to recruit new prospects and facilitate their conversion to customers.

3. TEAM MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

• Lead a strong and cohesive team. Imbue a clear Retail mindset in each team, set up a ground for collective plays and common objectives for excellence.

• Maintain team’s moral and orchestrate tensions that drive high commitment and performance.  Foster entrepreneurial culture and imbue the brand’s family spirit. Develop social bonds and professional respect among the regional team.
• Retain and grow local key talents. Create and implement dedicated plans (e.g. career path), learning opportunities, offer recognition, coaching and resources.
• Contribute and actively participate in the brand retail community through activities such as best practice sharing, staff mobility and training programs within and outside the region.
• Assemble a top-notch local leadership team. When recruiting, ensure the diversity of candidates’ background and talents that strengthens the team as a whole.
• On-board and train new team members as a part of “Lange family”. 
• Propose and implement structural adjustment as Lange business strategy evolves.

4. MARKETING & COMMUNICATION

• Act as a Brand Ambassador while protecting and building brand desirability, awareness and long-term equity in the region.
• Implement and monitor local marketing & communication strategy to ensure a consistent and unique brand image in the region while staying relevant to the local clientele.
• Monitor A&P spending. Ensure strategic split between media, digital and customer events that pursue goals of customer equation.
• Devise ongoing integrative initiatives that support sales and customer satisfaction and delight.
• Ensure marketing and communication support the animation of the Retail network with a clear yearly plan. Create opportunities for activation and client recruitment.

5. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

• Actively research, identify and propose retail business opportunities (e.g. boutique openings, refurbishments...) according to the long-term regional plan.
• Prepare presentations, investment plans and follow-ups of retail projects from start to finish.
• Is accountable for implementation once the project investment/decision is approved by Headquarters.
• Develop relationships with the local finance, SDP, real estate, landlord as well as with the local and central architects, suppliers. 

6. OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

• Ensure the region’s compliance with Group and Brand procedures.
• Develop positive partnerships with regional Richemont shared service, SWM and brand headquarter functions.
• Ensure an impeccable implementation of the brand headquarters guidelines in the region. Keep the knowledge up to date, test the execution quality. Provide insights and recommendations for improvement.

• Encourage the local team to actively participate in the Lange international community. Help them share insights, opportunities and best practices.  Use enablers to reinforce Lange retail culture.
• Work closely with the local and central supply chain teams to ensure excellence in operational execution.

REQUIREMENTS

• 8+ years of management working experience with strong performance and career trajectory.
• 5+ years of retail /commercial / omnichannel experience with a focus on direct-to-customer management.
• Leadership versatility. Ability to lead and inspire various levels of team. members to collaborate, develop new capabilities and reach excellence.
• Ability to develop and activate successful strategic plans.
• Ability to simultaneously explore new business opportunities and exploit existing ones.
• Experience leading transversal projects or cross-function work where collaboration builds value for clients or internal organization.
• Work experience in a matrix corporate organization.
• In-depth knowledge of fine watchmaking, luxury and client/retail business.
• Strong understanding of 360° business management.
• Good knowledge of the region and its culture.
• Good understanding of business financials.

PERSONAL SKILLS

• Entrepreneurship mindset, self-starter, result-oriented, thriving in a rapidly changing environment
• Excellent communication skills: listening skills, verbal, written and presentation to different stakeholders
• Excellent command in English, Mandarin would be a plus
• Strong diplomatic skills and resilience in solving problems and negotiating with internal and external stakeholders
• Leadership and coaching skills
• Strategy planning: ability to analyze, prioritize and summarize