Sales & Education Manager- UK

Merit is hiring for an experienced Sales and Education Manager – UK to support the launch and growth of Merit, primarily with Sephora UK but also more widely with PR and eventing needs.  In this role you will educate Sephora in-store staff about the Merit story and assortment, and develop and execute on trainings and events to drive brick and mortar sales as well as DTC.

This role offers the opportunity to be part of growing Merit into a global beauty brand. We are seeking top talent based in the UK region for this field based role. This role will report into the SVP International and will be integral to the successful launch and growth of the brand.   

Responsibilities:

• Represent the MERIT brand and drive in-store sales and trainings within designated territory
• Work with the global education team to create high impact education strategies for Sephora university, sephora train-the-trainers and wider sephora eventing
• Help adjust and localise American sales tactics and materials to be effective in local markets
• Partner with management to create an impactful store-by-store sales strategy; create action plans that are specific to store needs and goals
• Plan and execute successful in-store events that align to brand guidelines
• Develop effective store management relationships, and motivate and engage in-store teams
• Support trade marketing negotiations to help drive brand awareness and retail sales
• Participate in field team calls to strategise opportunities
• Participate in scheduling, training and managing in-store freelancers, including setting KPIs and daily store targets and measuring their success
• Achieve targeted territory sales growth within budgeted parameters
• Train cast, consultants and freelancers on MERIT Beauty selling technique
• Ensure in store visuals and merchandising standards are met
• Ensure inventory optimisation through proper store and corporate communications, manage stock levels & ACCR adjustments
• Submit weekly sales recaps for assigned territory
• Meet in-store visit cadence objectives for Sephora while driving corporate-approved education initiatives
• Assist with any external PR eventing and/or  media opportunities that might require education support

Requirements:

• 5+ years within beauty; 4+ years prior in-store field sales experience at Sephora
• A record of cultivating strong relationships with internal and external team members and stakeholders
• Prior end to end event planning experience with a record of success
• Strategic capabilities; an ability to understand what can drive in-store sales and how to seamlessly execute plans
• Strong project management capabilities with the ability to effectively prioritise
• Effective communication and negotiation skills
• A record of building rapport and long-term relationships with in-store management at all levels
• A high attention to detail and effective organizational capabilities
• An ability to work in teams and autonomously, providing self-direction when needed
• An ability to be agile and thrive in a dynamic, fast moving environment
• An understanding and passion for the beauty industry
• Makeup artistry skills
• Qualified candidates must be able to work a Tuesday thru Saturday schedule, as well as some full weekends pending business needs
• Qualified candidates must be able to travel; valid driver’s license is preferred 

The annual salary range for this role is 40,000-45,000 GBP.