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. Accountabilities: Plan and implement retail sales, operations, marketing & promotional strategies to deliver and exceed annual franchisee & wholesale sales, royalty, service and compliance targets Monitor, measure and report on operational, marketing & commercial issues, opportunities and development plans as agreed with the Executive Director Work collaboratively with the Head of Business Development to ensure effective handover is achieved with new partners and delivery of development plans Ensure protection of the brand through compliance with the legal agreement and trading terms and conditions Provide marketing, financial and planning support to develop short, medium and long term business plans and supporting budgets Lead your team to deliver key stock metrics, including availability, stock on hand and working capital KPI’s Maximise sales and expansion opportunities ensuring that brand standards are met as well as delivering sales and profit targets Communicate, deliver and follow up on the ‘cardfactory partner manual’ principles & guidelines Work collaboratively with the store opening team to ensure all new sites are opened on time, to budget and agreed specification 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 Plan and manage territory costs and resources to agreed budgets and timescale Maintain administration and relevant reporting and planning systems and measure against established standards Identify franchise & wholesale partner and store team skill/knowledge gaps and provide continuous coaching, mentoring and training What we are looking for: Extensive omni-channel retail experience in a franchising and wholesale structure Experience of working with various partnership models, including developing sophisticated franchise / wholesale relationships with some of the world’s largest retailers / franchise houses Proven commercial experience within a fast moving business with demonstrable experience of P&L and launching a proven retail concept within new markets Demonstrable ability to manage change and achieve success Excellent commercial understanding and business acumen Operational hands on experience with regards to opening stores Proven track record of understanding multiple cultures and international business Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to build strong, long lasting relationships internally and externally at all levels
