Area Manager Retail

Reports to: Global Retail Director Location: Paris-based, with regular travel across Europe and to Wavre HQ Mission – Purpose & Impact You are the bridge between the store network and the Global HQ, responsible for delivering business growth, operational excellence, and a consistent luxury client experience across Baobab’s European retail footprint — including freestanding stores, concessions, seasonal pop-ups, and selected B2B doors when required. You translate global retail strategies into field execution — leading, inspiring, and developing teams while ensuring that every store embodies the Maison’s values, standards, and performance ambitions. You work in close collaboration with: the Senior Manager – Global Retail Excellence & Operations, to deploy tools, SOPs, and experiential activations; the Senior Manager – Global Retail Performance & Planning, to deliver commercial objectives, optimize productivity, and ensure profitability. A hands‑on and inspiring leader, you foster ownership, cohesion, and pride across the network, creating an environment where people, performance, and experience thrive together. Key Responsibilities – Scope of Contribution 1. Business Performance & Retail Excellence Drive sales growth and profitability across all European doors, ensuring each store contributes effectively to the region’s overall targets. Execute the commercial priorities and KPIs defined by the Global Retail Performance & Planning team. Monitor sales, category mix, and productivity by door, implementing corrective or acceleration plans as needed. Maintain close awareness of store-level P&L performance, ensuring cost efficiency, payroll discipline, and ROI on local activations. Partner with the Global Retail Performance & Planning team to share field insights, inform budget assumptions, and support accurate forecasting. Guarantee consistent implementation of Baobab’s retail standards in service, environment, and brand rituals. 2. People Leadership & Team Development Lead and develop Store Managers and their teams, fostering autonomy, accountability, and brand ownership. Build a strong sense of community across all doors, encouraging collaboration, best‑practice sharing, and engagement. Coordinate onboarding and training with the Education team and Global Retail Excellence & Operations. Ensure staffing coverage and well‑being, especially during peak periods, launches, or events. Monitor productivity KPIs (sales/hour, sales/FTE) and coach teams to achieve excellence. 3. Client Experience & Brand Consistency Ensure every store delivers a client experience aligned with Baobab’s luxury standards and storytelling. Partner with the Global Retail Excellence & Operations team to execute retail event, window, and animation strategies, ensuring flawless delivery and local adaptation. Guarantee the right ambiance, service posture, and storytelling at all times. Provide qualitative feedback and suggestions to HQ to enhance the retail journey and service rituals. 4. Operational Performance & Store Readiness Ensure operational excellence in every store — from visual merchandising and stock management to maintenance and daily routines. Implement SOPs, checklists, and processes developed by the Global Retail Excellence & Operations team. Identify and report operational gaps or system challenges to HQ for continuous improvement. Support new store openings, temporary activations, and network expansions with HQ and SDVM. 5. HQ Collaboration & Market Insights Collaborate with the Global Retail Excellence & Operations team on process rollout, VM, and in‑store experience projects. Collaborate with the Global Retail Performance & Planning team on performance tracking, KPI reviews, and action plan follow‑up. Share market feedback, client insights, and competitive intelligence to inform HQ strategies. Contribute to HQ workshops, retail seminars, and strategy sessions, acting as the voice of the field. Profile – Experience & Competencies 7–10 years’ experience in multi‑store retail leadership within the luxury/premium sector. Proven ability to drive both commercial performance and experiential excellence. Strong leadership, coaching, and team‑building skills. In‑depth understanding of retail operations, VM, and client experience standards. Experience managing freestanding stores and concessions; pop‑up experience a plus. Hands‑on, energetic, and solutions‑driven with a collaborative mindset. Fluent in French and English; other European languages a plus. Based in Paris, with flexibility to travel across Europe and to Wavre HQ. #J-18808-Ljbffr