Head of Distribution Strategy and Business Development, Fragrance & Beauty Products, SEAA

About the Role

In the diverse markets of Southeast Asia and Australasia, the new Fragrance & Beauty Products (FBP) SEAA organization is positioned to unlock the full potential of the sector in this region. With a foundation built on deep local knowledge and global aspirations, the group aims to elevate brand positioning, accelerate meaningful growth, and provide exceptional customer experience at all touchpoints.

Collaborating closely with the FBP global and market divisions, this regional team crafts a confident strategic vision accompanied by practical, locally tailored plans. Reporting to the Director of FBP SEAA, the Head of Distribution Strategy and Business Development plays a pivotal role on the leadership team. This individual will enable sustainable, scalable, and high-value growth by designing and guiding distribution strategies, overseeing market execution, and promoting operational excellence across offline retail channels.

This position acts as the regional coordinator, offering strategic insight, challenging existing practices, and ensuring alignment across markets to keep distribution models innovative, locally relevant, and enhancing the brand.

Core Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Director and market teams to develop a regional Distribution and Retail Network Strategy Mid-Term Plan.
• Shape, question, and refine SEAA’s distribution models to achieve optimal structure for lasting business success.
• Evaluate and enhance the performance of physical channels including Stand-Alone Boutiques, Department Stores, and Travel Retail to ensure they align with FBP's priorities and maintain brand prestige.
• Perform market analyses and strategic studies to identify growth opportunities and challenges, supporting markets in distribution optimization.
• Introduce regional best practices, external insights, and innovative ideas to improve commercial outcomes and strategic planning.
• Standardize and simplify operational processes throughout markets for improved efficiency, compliance, and risk management.
• Create and distribute regional guidelines for retail projects ensuring service excellence.
• Work alongside markets to boost store productivity based on shared KPIs and retail segmentation methodologies.
• Partner with Retail Education teams to enhance frontline skills, development, and career progression.
• Lead efforts to elevate workforce productivity by utilizing performance indicators and integrating tools and technology that support frontline effectiveness.
• Develop and nurture strategic alliances with regional travel retail partners, staying informed on industry trends, consumer behaviors, and competitor activities.
• Formulate regional strategies that balance brand value with commercial returns.
• Drive the growth of the travel retail business by optimizing commercial structures and ensuring consistent approaches across markets while empowering local ownership.
• Promote a shared responsibility culture that embraces agility and sustainable value among all stakeholders.
• Oversee the comprehensive execution of business case processes to support data-informed decisions.
• Collaborate with Finance teams to provide accurate and strategically aligned business case analyses and investment advice.
• Define and manage governance frameworks for new investments in partnership with markets and global units.
• Identify and validate new market opportunities, mapping promising geographies and channels for expansion.

Candidate Profile

• Possess over 10 years of experience in business development or distribution strategy roles.
• Demonstrate a combination of strong commercial insight and a client-focused approach.
• Exhibit the cultural sensitivity and strategic flexibility necessary to manage the diverse and changing landscape of SEAA, respecting each market's uniqueness while pursuing a unified regional strategy.
• Skilled negotiator with proven abilities.
• Experienced in stakeholder management across all levels, including engagement with frontline teams.
• Able to navigate ambiguity with a flexible, positive attitude and adaptability to change.
• Excellent communicator capable of building and maintaining relationships across global, regional, and local market stakeholders.
• Leadership style that inspires innovation, collaboration, and commitment to high standards within their team.

What Chanel Offers

• Opportunity to engage deeply with the prestigious legacy and cultural evolution of the House of Chanel.
• Close collaboration with market, regional, and global leaders to shape strategic objectives.
• Focus on talent development and empowerment within the organization.
• A collaborative and inclusive work culture that values diverse viewpoints and fosters partnerships.
• Supportive infrastructure and resources to enable ongoing professional growth and success.