Job Introduction
Join our team at cardfactory as the new Head of Partnerships! As our leader of partner operations and account management, you'll be responsible for ensuring our partner customers receive top-notch service and a fantastic product offer.
Reporting directly to our Executive Director of Business Development, you'll have ownership of the existing partnerships P&L and be accountable for its delivery. Your role will involve driving sales and working with internal stakeholders to drive business efficiency.
We're looking for a candidate who can maintain brand standards and contractual obligations throughout the life of the partnership. You'll also work alongside our Head of Business Development to support the launch and operationalization of new partners into the business in a sustainable way across multiple customer models including franchising, consignment, and wholesale.
This role would suit an established Head of Franchise / Wholesale within the general merchandise sector, greetings cards or closely related (would be advantageous) with similar routes to market to cardfactory; USA / Canada / Australia / New Zealand / Middle East / India). Apply now and don't miss out on this great opportunity!
At cardfactory, we offer a smart working policy, allowing you to work from home some days and at our Head Office in Wakefield in line with business needs. This exciting opportunity will also include some international travel.
Role Responsibility
Accountabilities:
1. Plan and implement retail sales, operations, marketing & promotional strategies to deliver and exceed annual franchisee & wholesale sales, royalty, service and compliance targets
2. Monitor, measure and report on operational, marketing & commercial issues, opportunities and development plans as agreed with the Executive Director
3. Work collaboratively with the Head of Business Development to ensure effective handover is achieved with new partners and delivery of development plans
4. Ensure protection of the brand through compliance with the legal agreement and trading terms and conditions
5. Provide marketing, financial and planning support to develop short, medium and long term business plans and supporting budgets
6. Lead your team to deliver key stock metrics, including availability, stock on hand and working capital KPI’s
7. Maximise sales and expansion opportunities ensuring that brand standards are met as well as delivering sales and profit targets
8. Communicate, deliver and follow up on the ‘cardfactory partner manual’ principles & guidelines
9. Work collaboratively with the store opening team to ensure all new sites are opened on time, to budget and agreed specification
10. Maintain regular and pro-active communication with franchise & wholesale partners ensuring all retail principles, store layouts, recruitment/training of team members and the overall brand proposition meet the required brand standards
11. Plan and manage territory costs and resources to agreed budgets and timescale
12. Maintain administration and relevant reporting and planning systems and measure against established standards
13. Identify franchise & wholesale partner and store team skill/knowledge gaps and provide continuous coaching, mentoring and training
The Ideal Candidate
What we are looking for:
14. Extensive omni-channel retail experience in a franchising and wholesale structure
15. Experience of working with various partnership models, including developing sophisticated franchise / wholesale relationships with some of the world’s largest retailers / franchise houses
16. Proven commercial experience within a fast moving business with demonstrable experience of P&L and launching a proven retail concept within new markets
17. Demonstrable ability to manage change and achieve success
18. Excellent commercial understanding and business acumen
19. Operational hands on experience with regards to opening stores
20. Proven track record of understanding multiple cultures and international business
21. Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to build strong, long lasting relationships internally and externally at all levels
About the Company
Card Factory is the UK’s leading specialist retailer of greeting cards, dressings, and gifts with over one thousand stores across the UK and Ireland. In 2020 we launched our exciting 5-year business strategy including our vision of becoming a true Omni-channel retailer. This strategy sees significant investment into our colleagues across the business creating multiple opportunities to join a fast-paced environment and be part of our exciting journey.
In return, we offer a wide range of benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial well-being.
Benefits
22. 25% Card Factory colleague discount in-store and online
23. Save As You Earn scheme
24. Financial Wellbeing Support Financial Education Tools Salary Advance
25. Seasonal incentive schemes
26. Retail Management Apprenticeship Programmes with local providers with access to a virtual internal network for learning together
27. Discounted gym membership and mobile phone contracts
28. Discounts across 100’s of UK retailers
29. Employee Assistance Programme – access to tools to support mental, physical, and financial wellbeing
30. Enhanced Family leave