Sales Team Lead - South for Jellycat

Sales Team Lead South - Jellycat

Company Background

For a quarter of a century, the Jellycat family have brought joy, wonder and playful fun to people of all ages, in every part of the world. Utterly original and in a class of their own, they are currently among the most loved and collected toys of their kind.

How has this gentle tribe endeared themselves to so many? Perhaps it is their whimsical expressions. Or the deliciously soft fabrics. Or the beautiful way in which they sit in your hand. Whatever it is, there is something magical and unmistakeable about each one of them.

And where did they come from? Who was the very first Jellycat?

The true origin of the Jellycat family is a closely guarded secret, held within the walls of the central London studio, House of Jellycat. Outside of the studio, several origin legends have been whispered from one bunny to another. One of them may be true.

What we can share is that the Jellycat Loveables first appeared in London during 1999 and Jellycat Amuseables (zany, non-animals) popped up in 2010. Since then, hundreds of characters have joined the family. Some have retired. Some are highly-respected freelance consultants. Others went into show business. Many can be found sharing joy in discerning toy and gift shops, on and offline, across the globe.

We hope that you too experience the fun and joy of Jellycat.

Job Summary

As a Sales Team Lead, you'll be responsible for driving significant sales growth within your designated territory. You'll act as a brand ambassador for Jellycat, fostering strong relationships with existing retailers while identifying and securing new business opportunities through a proactive hands-on approach. You will have a keen commercial eye and passion for product.

There is a positive, fast paced, start up business mentality. A real ‘can-do’ team culture here at Jellycat, and it’s important that you are not only a self-starting ambassador and strategic sales person for Jellycat, but are a great team player willing to get involved in what needs to be done in order to achieve great things at retail within the UK.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Build, lead and coach the new regional sales team, fostering a high-performance, results-oriented environment
• Develop and implement a comprehensive sales strategy aligned with regional and company-wide goals
• Set clear and achievable sales targets for the team and individual team members, with the support of the Head of Sales Independents.
• Manage and develop the skills and knowledge of the regional sales team through coaching, mentoring, and training programs
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify sales opportunities and inform strategic decision-making for your region
• Analyze sales data and reports to identify trends and areas for improvement
• Forge strong partnerships with the Head of Customer Service and the Customer Services team as they are the daily point of contact for the indies
• Build and implement best in-store VM practice among the sales managers, ensuring they can coach store teams
• Ensure consistent best practice and process across all regions to align with brand guidelines and company goals
• Deliver the Sales Growth and Budget that we agree at the start of each calendar year
• Develop strong, personable, professional relationships with stockists and other Jellycat HQ/Sales teams
• Identify new Luxury target stockists and secure those new accounts with the support of the Sales Team Lead
• Ensure Regional Sales Managers visit and support National Key Accounts with Feedback and ensuring best VM practice
• Working with the Head of Sales to build robust full year financial budget plans and develop and present the plan on how you and your teams will achieve the Budget/Forecast for your region
• Work with the HQ teams to ensure that we have Jellycat POS branding at retail and we always look great and in line with Brand Guidelines
• Work closely with your peers – Head of Sales (UK Key Accounts) and the creative events manager, our UK Business Development Manager to ensure we are planning and aligning future retail activations and launches
• Identify and work with your line manager to close accounts that aren’t the correct fit for Jellycat
• Will be required to manage a select few important, strategic stockists that require a senior, more experienced relationship
• Pro-actively identify growth and brand awareness opportunities within partnerships to unlock our full retail opportunity – whether Baby Jellycat, Loveables, Amuseables, Books or Accessories
• Visit your Regional Sales Managers in the field regularly, to stay close to your teams and stockists and ensure we are always looking our best at retail and execute fantastic in-store branding to stimulate sell-thru
• Ensure operations and logistics are working efficiently and effectively with your customers and pro-actively work through ways to improve working processes
• Be a Jellycat Brand Ambassador always – exploring every LUXURY opportunity where we can raise Brand Awareness with our target consumers
• Follow and be aware of your customer base online and SoMe activity ensuring they are operating withing the T&C’s and Brand Guideline
• Present to line manager, and Head of Sales any in-store conceptual branding opportunities (SIS, pop-ups, window takeovers)
• Work closely with the credit control team to ensure we are working within the validated financial risk and implementing payments plans where necessary to keep stock flowing smoothly
• Attending UK tradeshows or market visits wherever necessary

What we need from you!

We are seeking an experienced, commercial, personable Sales lead with a proven track record of managing a Regional Sales Team. You will be responsible for managing, growing and developing a team of six Regional Sales Managers. Who is genuinely passionate about retail and enjoys being customer facing as Jellycat are consumer centric in everything we do.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a senior sales management role, preferably within the toy or giftware industry.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong relationships.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills
• A strategic mindset with a focus on achieving long-term business objectives.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• A passion for the Jellycat brand and its commitment to creating joyful experiences
• Essential you live/are based within the region you are managing
• Excellent IT skills Excel, Power Point, Microsoft
• Ideally has experience within a Luxury brand to understand the premium positioning
• Highly organised and able to multi-task and manage multiple deadlines
• Essential to be a creative thinker and decision maker whilst seeking guidance from senior team
• You will be a brand ambassador for Jellycat and not just a sales person
• Passion for product & someone who loves retail
• Loves a fast paced working environment that Is agile
• A true team player who is flexible, personable, positive and is motivated by being part of a high performing team

INTERESTED? HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WORKING WITH US.

Sales Team Lead - South

• Industry leading salary
• Travel/Car Allowance
• Bonus
• Pension
• Private Healthcare
• Dental Care
• Product discount schemes – great for Christmas and Birthdays!
• Remote based working & a truly grown-up environment
• Continuous training throughout the year
• Lots of company parties & get togethers, we love having fun!

Want to know more? We hope so...

We’d love to receive and review your application. We will start the recruitment process immediately so get in touch with our Talent Partner ECW Search on contact@ecwsearch.com or by applying directly through this advert.

Due to GDPR, CV's or applications sent via email/social media, will not be kept or considered, please apply via the link provided or via the ECW Search contact email above..

At Jellycat & ECW we believe that a diverse team of enthusiastic, hard-working, skilled people is pivotal to success. Our employees help us make a difference & grow as a business and creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace starts with our recruitment process. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, age, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.