General Manager

Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives with our high-quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all – a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment.  As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values, we pride ourselves to be listed among the World´s Most Ethical Companies since 16 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation, and treating each other with trust and respect.

The Role:

Kao is seeking a General Manager for our local Salon division (Goldwell, Kerasilk, KMS and Oribe) based in London. The right person for this role will comes from a commercial Salon background and has proven strategic and executional experience, commercial focus and the entrepreneurial spirit to take us further forward on our journey of growth.

This role is fully P&L responsible for the Salon business within the UK business. It tasked with driving both the sales and profit through implementation of the short and mid-term business strategy whilst ensuring adherence to company policy and the global and regional strategies.

The mission of the role is to realise business opportunities while adhering to brands’ equity and guidelines. This role requires management of internal multi-functional stakeholders as well as strong connection with the industry and customers. All the above should be supported to intentional talent and capabilities development driving culture of accountability and spirit of high performing teams.

What you will do:

• Accountable for setting expectations for customers’ trade terms and promotions (within the regional guidelines) and deployment of the toolbox to local sales teams. To understand the needs of the different customers and guide the organization in meeting those needs. Responsible for driving and managing local Ideas/Business Case Pitch (innovation) - within the defined global innovation process.
• Leading development of the local activity calendar, communication plan to include social media and online, the execution of local Brand PR events, the local Annual Education and Activity Plan, an integrated SME Salon Activity Master plan. Responsible for analyzing monthly the Key Business Drivers and reporting the Customer Experience, taking action where necessary.
• Ensure adequate feedback systems are in place to gather up to date relevant industry and customer information and provide input into regional and global strategies and initiatives.  Maximize the sales and profitability of the customer and opportunities (both individual and channel as appropriate), share and reapply.
• Responsible for driving performance through people via established OKRs. Ensuring that we have the talent to support both the current and future business needs. Ensure that KPI’s and success measures are established and drive business results. This includes fostering solid working relationships with the respective functional partners of and SME organization, SCM (Supply Chain Management), HCD (Human Capital Development), Finance and Legal.
• Fully accountable for the overall profit and loss (P&L) of the Salon business in the market. This role will be expected to meet the targets set within the defined budget, monitor expenditure and progress against the plan and take appropriate measures to keep on course, ensuring that relevant parties are kept informed as needed.
• Represent the company externally, through participation in industry bodies and in the market visibility with customers on a regular basis, and leading Distribution Gain activities.
• Representing Kao UK locally with regards to internal and external stakeholder as part of UK Management board.
• This role will be responsible for all elements of people management with regards to recruiting, performance management, career and succession planning, employee engagement and motivation, rewards and recognition and elements of employee relations. As the salon country leader this role will be expected to lead by example and for also ensuring that good people management practices are being followed by leaders and managers throughout the team.

What you will need:

• Masters degree preferred. Bachelors degree acceptable.  The degree should be in Marketing, Finance, Economics, or Management, however a proven track record is the most critical element.
• 10+ years of experience in the Beauty / Hair cosmetics industry, preferably in the professional salon
• GM experience in a similar or different B2B industry or Sales Director for big multi-national/big geography
• Inspirational leader (envision, enabling, empowering, energizing teams with strong focus on execution)
• Strong people management experience is required (large organization Sales/Marketing or as GM)
• Experience in managing P&L’s / budgeting/Trade Terms & Pricing management
• Experience in E-Commerce & Retail

How we work: Having been selected among the World´s Most Ethical Companies for 16 consecutive years, we are a company with a purpose and strong corporate values. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. At Kao, each employee can actively shape their job and their career. We work collaboratively to achieve our common goals, always aiming to deliver the best for our customers.

What we offer: A friendly and flexible work environment with competitive salaries, benefits package, ongoing development and the opportunity to enhance your skills and deliver tangible results. At Kao your voice will be heard. Your opinion really counts. We believe that change comes from taking opportunities into your own hands, so we value and reward entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.

Hiring Process: Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong. This is why we welcome applications from all areas of the global community. 

Want to learn more: If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to find out why 33,000 people across the globe opted for a career with us please visit our Americas website (https://www.kao.com/americas/en/) or EMEA website (https://www.kao.com/emea/en/)

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