Head of Retail

The Opportunity Lead, scale, and transform a multi country retail portfolio. As Head of Retail, you ll own end to end store performance: driving revenue and profit, elevating customer experience, and building a high performing retail organisation across all markets and formats. You ll report directly to the CEO and be a key driver of growth and operational excellence. Key Responsibilities • Retail Strategy & Growth • Set and execute the retail strategy across all brands, formats, and markets. • Assess and open new locations, formats, and markets (including omnichannel) in the GCC and India. • Turn strategy into clear annual plans, sales targets, and store level objectives. • Use data, POS insights, and retail tech to sharpen decisions and performance. • Drive innovation in formats, digital integration, and in store experience. • Lead major initiatives such as new brand launches, refurbishments, and market entry. • Sales & Commercial Performance • Own the retail sales budget and P&L, delivering revenue, margin, and profit targets. • Shape sales and promotional strategies to maximise topline and GM. • Analyse sales, footfall, and conversion to fix underperformance by store/category. • Partner with buying, merchandising, and marketing on assortment, pricing, and promos. • Store Operations & Excellence • Set and enforce SOPs, VM, and service standards across all stores. • Improve efficiency via smart rostering, stock management, and admin. • Run regular store audits to improve operations and reduce losses. • Manage key relationships with landlords, contractors, and service providers. • Budget, P&L & Resources • Manage retail budgets, costs, and resources to hit profitability goals. • Control payroll, occupancy, and operating expenses within agreed limits. • Reduce shrinkage and wastage with strong loss prevention measures. • Provide clear, regular performance updates to the CEO and leadership team. • Customer Experience & Brand • Embed a customer first culture and consistent, high quality store experience. • Track NPS, mystery shopper, and feedback; act fast where standards slip. • Implement service training to improve satisfaction, conversion, and loyalty. • Lead omnichannel initiatives that link stores and digital touchpoints. • Merchandising, Inventory & Supply Chain • Oversee merchandising and inventory to optimise availability, turns, and margin. • Work closely with buying, inventory, and warehouse teams on flow and replenishment. • Minimise aged stock and markdowns through data driven decisions. • Leadership & Team Development • Build and develop a high performing, multicultural field and store leadership team. • Set clear KPIs, succession plans, and training paths to grow retail talent. • Drive a culture of accountability, performance, and continuous improvement. • Champion adoption of new tools and technology in store operations. • Compliance, Governance & Risk • Ensure full compliance with health, safety, licensing, and regulatory standards in all markets. • Maintain robust controls for cash, inventory, and store administration. • Work with Internal Audit and other functions to close gaps and strengthen controls. Key Metrics / KPIs • Retail revenue growth and same store sales (LFL) • New store ramp up and project delivery (on time / on budget) • Sales per square foot and gross margin achievement • Operational audit pass rate and shrinkage • Retail P&L delivery, opex as % of sales, and cost savings • NPS, mystery shopper scores, conversion, and brand standards compliance • Inventory turns, stock fill rate, and sell through • Team retention, internal promotions, training coverage, and engagement scores Salt is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.