General Manager Salon DACH / CZ

Job content

The Role

Kao is seeking a General Manager for our Salon Division (Goldwell, KMS and Oribe) DACH/CZ, based in our beautiful offices in Darmstadt. The right person for this role will come from a commercial Salon background and possess proven strategic drive, commercial focus and the entrepreneurial flair to take us further forward on our journey of growth.

This role is fully P&L responsible for the Salon business within DACH/CZ area is tasked with driving both the sales and profit of the assigned markets, through implementation of the short and mid-term (3-5 year) business strategy whilst ensuring adherence to company policy. Realizing local market business opportunities whilst ensuring that brand equity is built is core to the success of this role. It is critical that this role is able to represent the company internally by driving a high performing culture to ensure that internal talent and resources are leveraged and maximized to support current and future business needs.

The Kao Salon organization embarked on a new journey where partnership, entrepreneurialism, innovation and high ethical values are all coming together to push our brands further so if you feel you have the qualities we need to lead to influence and add value to our fun, driven and dynamic culture then see below for the role specifics.

What You Will Do

• 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. Ensure that budgets and forecasts are prepared and submitted timely as per the set time lines.
• Accountable for defining customer 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.
• Accountable for the development of: the local activity calendar, communication plan to include social media and on-line, 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. Maximize the sales and profitability of the customer and opportunities (both individual and channel as appropriate), share and reapply. Focus this on business orientated customers and chain salons including global chains. Responsible for the execution process for Loan applications from customers, including approval.
• Responsible for driving performance through people. 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. Responsible for the adoption of corporate standards and ensuring that they are observed and implemented.
• Represent the company externally, through participation in industry bodies and in the market visibility with customers on a regular basis.
• Representing Kao Germany locally with regards to internal and external stakeholder as part of the German Management board

What You Will Need

• Business English & German is essential
• 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 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 t/ budgeting/Trade Terms & Pricing management
• Will be required to travel both domestically and internationally as needed

Who we are: Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives with our high quality products and services that make the life of our consumers and customers more beautiful. In the region Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) Kao focuses on premium beauty brands across three distinct sectors: Kao Salon Division, Premium Mass and our London based boutique brand Molton Brown.

How we work: Having been selected among the World´s Most Ethical Companies for 15 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 https://www.kao.com/emea/en/