Retail Manager - Estee Lauder Companies (Estee Lauder, La Mer, Clinique) - Auckland Airport

Role Overview

The position involves leading retail sales and customer service efforts for Estee Lauder brands within a fast-paced retail environment. The manager will collaborate closely with the sales manager to strategize and meet retail goals, maintain excellent counter presentation and inventory management, and oversee the daily operations of the store section.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the sales manager to develop and execute strategies that achieve retail sales targets and improve store rankings.
• Drive sales performance by ensuring daily, weekly, and monthly goals are met, tracking progress through detailed business records.
• Assign individual sales and customer service goals to team members based on shifts and performance to consistently meet overall team objectives.
• Monitor and report on competitors' sales trends to inform sales strategies.
• Coach beauty advisors through product demonstrations and consultations to elevate sales outcomes.
• Professionally resolve any customer complaints to maintain high service standards.
• Organize and lead daily team meetings to discuss goals, results, and gather employee feedback.
• Manage general counter upkeep including displays, cleanliness, testers, and inventory control.
• Analyze stock levels considering sales rates, seasonal factors, and promotions; coordinate with brands or retailers on orders for peak periods and maintain proper stock rotation and replenishment.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of daily business reports for internal offices.
• Maintain merchandising standards as prescribed by the support office.

Team Leadership

• Ensure team members fully understand and embody brand identity, grooming standards, service excellence, product expertise, and sales skills.
• Collaborate with store management to manage team schedules and working hours efficiently.
• Provide coaching and performance feedback to each beauty advisor to promote continuous improvement.
• Distribute responsibilities among team members so all facets of counter management are well understood and executed.
• Foster a culture encouraging awareness of business performance and encourage the team to propose innovative ideas.
• Participate actively in all training initiatives and motivate team members to engage fully.
• Assist in recruiting by helping source, screen, and interview prospective beauty advisor candidates as needed.
• Coordinate training sessions led by brand sales and education teams for all employees, especially new hires.

Communication and Relationship Management

• Effectively communicate brand and retailer information to the team in a clear and timely fashion.
• Build and sustain positive business partnerships with retailers to ensure a welcoming and cooperative business environment.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Flexibility to work varied hours including evenings and weekends in a dynamic retail setting.
• Strong teamwork skills and ability to work collaboratively with others.
• Commitment to attend training and in-store meetings and facilitate team learning.
• Competence in interpreting sales and performance data and writing reports.
• Capability to assess the needs of both customers and staff and provide effective recommendations.
• Experience in training and coaching employees to enhance skill development.
• Professional attitude with adaptability to handle changes positively.

Physical Demands

• Ability to perform manual tasks including packing, unpacking, lifting stock, and setting up displays and events.
• Must be able to wear Estee Lauder cosmetic products as part of the role.
• Physical stamina to stand for extended periods during shifts.

Personal Qualities and Performance Indicators

• Exceptional customer service skills and experience in goal-oriented sales roles are preferred.
• Strong communication, leadership, organizational, and time management capabilities.
• Highly results-driven with a strong motivation to exceed objectives and standards.
• Proactively pursues goals beyond expectations, fosters team development, and skillfully manages challenging situations with diplomacy and tact.
• Encourages respect, collaboration, and cooperation within the team environment.
• Builds and maintains broad interpersonal networks to support business success.