Key Account Manager, Oribe, Czech Republic

Oribe is part of Kao founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives with our high-quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all – a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values, we pride ourselves to be listed among the World´s Most Ethical Companies since 16 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation and treating each other with trust and respect.

The role:

We are looking for an enthusiastic Key Account Manager (KAM) who will be responsible for the Czech Republic for a new luxury brand in the Kao Salon division portfolio; Oribe.

Oribe Hair Care began its journey in 2008. Good. Better. Best. Those were the classifications found in all beauty categories except hair care. For co-founders Daniel Kaner and Tevya Finger, it was time to create a pivot in the market, and the perfect collaborator was discovered in Oribe Canales. The brand blends craftsmanship, performance and decades of styling experience from the top of the editorial and salon worlds to create a new category in hair care. Today, Oribe is a best-selling, award-winning brand that has sparked deep connections with its consumers.

The successful candidate will drive sales performance through Key Accounts by giving them product and business training. Working alongside Sales Representatives, you will identify opportunities to enhance the profile and image of Oribe, Goldwell, Kerasilk and KMS products whilst maximizing the profitable distribution of the respective brands distributed in the market to Salon customers. This role supports the roll out of the sales strategy and to drive and deliver the global omni-channel salon strategy. Starting business with new and larger clients is one of the key objectives, the role holder must be able to train and develop the sales teams skills through formal tuition and regular on-job coaching. You will also have your own customer accounts which you will nurture and develop. The role will also support retail channel sales through merchandising, promotional activity and product knowledge in salon and retail channels. You will deliver merchandising expertise and product knowledge to all customers to ensure excellent consumer experience. Your role will include working across multiple sales channels, supporting both salons and prestige retail partners in growing their Oribe business.

This is a permanent, full-time position based in the Czech Republic.

What you will do:

• Responsible to drive Net Sales development within own area customers: -Execute local market sales strategy with excellence across all commercial initiatives, new product launches and seasonal activity. Activate Joint Business Plans to deliver Salon growth through increased sell through -Contribute on the delivery of successful sales campaigns in all channels in line with the global salon strategy and Oribe global guidelines -Partner with the wider local Kao Salon Division team to identify opportunities to convert existing current Oribe salons to take in additional Kao Salon Division brands and build their portfolio
• Identify, qualify and convert new customers to Oribe. Maintain and work to a focused prospect list of target customers to grow the Oribe salon footprint in line with global guidelines
• Support and drive Net Sales in Retail while ensuring brand equity in POS through merchandising, product knowledge, and ensuring quality sell out activities in collaboration with Regional Oribe team. Additionally ensuring that any regional Oribe partners are executing plans locally
• Deliver in salon training and coaching plans to build stylist/store staff capabilities. Identify capability gaps, and design and deliver plans against them. Partner with Oribe Education team to deliver more specialized training as required
• To act as an ambassador of the organization and maximize any opportunities to promote the name, image and reputation of our business at e.g. industry functions, networking events, meetings with new and existing clients
• To build relationships and identify and develop opportunities to enhance team working across the business with Education and Marketing
• Ensure excellent consumer experience through customer base by management of the brand environment with merchandising expertise and stylist interaction through product knowledge training

What you will need:

• Degree in business or related field preferred (non‐essential)
• 5+ years sales experience in Sales with a track record of successes in Beauty/Health/Fashion/FMCG (ideally luxury and salon industry)
• Experience managing key accounts and communicating business plans effectively to high profile customers (both written and verbally)
• Experience in coaching, training/developing and how to drive sales performance improvements through team members
• Strong knowledge of the haircare industry preferred
• Experience of developing long term and short term sales strategies and promotions and working within company set guidelines to maintain both equity and profitability of the brands
• Estimated average 4‐5 travel days per week for co‐driving, customer meetings, head office meetings etc (depending on needs) and able to commit to working regular long days and balance working away from home
• Passion for the beauty industry, the Oribe brand and other Kao Salon Division brands
• Good working and technical knowledge of colorants, treatments and haircare products (ideal but non‐essential)
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Powerpoint, Excel and Outlook and comfortable with working with sales tools and systems

In return, you will receive a competitive salary, benefits package, ongoing development and the opportunity to enhance your skills and deliver tangible results. Remember, joining Kao means you are joining a whole family of prestige beauty brands including John Frieda, Biore, Goldwell, KMS, and Molton Brown meaning there are possible opportunities for collaborative working and potential career movement.

Japanese heritage, international beauty innovation and aspirational brands to be proud of…..if you are seeking an opportunity to join a highly ethical multi-award winning global company that is as committed to developing, manufacturing and selling renowned and respected beauty brands as they are passionate about employee development and staff satisfaction then this may be the role for you.

Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong. This is why we welcome applications from all areas of the global community.

If you feel you are as unique and successful as our products, want to find out more about our numerous brands and why 33,000 people across the globe opted for our career opportunities, please feel free to find out more on www.kaocareers.com and click on the link below.