Retail Account Manager

The Retail Account and Activation Manager is responsible for driving sales growth, market share, and brand presence within a portfolio of assigned retail accounts. This role involves independently managing relationships with mid-sized retail partners or specific segments of larger accounts and leading the execution of impactful in-store and O+O activation strategies. The candidate should possess a strong understanding of retail dynamics, proven negotiation skills, and a track record of translating marketing objectives into effective retail performance.

Retail Account Management & Development:

• Manage and grow relationships with a designated portfolio of retail accounts, acting as the primary point of contact for day-to-day operations.
• Execute the sell in & sell out targets for assigned retail accounts.
• Track weekly sell out data, analyze category performance, and report regular performance and market share by brand by store, by city
• Contribute to the development of annual joint business plans and commercial agreements, ensuring alignment with PPD’s brand and sales objectives.
• Negotiate promotional activity, merchandising placements, and co-op marketing initiatives within assigned accounts to optimize visibility and sales performance.
• Conduct regular business reviews with retail partners, presenting performance insights and proposing actionable solutions to achieve mutual goals.
• Ensure accurate and timely implementation of pricing, promotional terms, and merchandising standards in accordance with L'Oréal & Brand guidelines.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Brand, Retail design, Supply Chain, and Finance, to ensure smooth retail plans execution.
• Lead monthly meetings with Beauty Advisors to align on launches, activations, and trade priorities.
• Ensure continuous communication between field teams, brands, and retail partners.

ACTIVATION & TRADE EXECUTION

• Coordinate all retail activations, launches, podiums, seasonal campaigns, in store events, ensuring complete execution (testers, visuals, GWPs, and merchandising) on time in full.
• Liaise with brands, and retail design teams to ensure timely delivery and deployment of visual merchandising materials and POS fixtures.
• Conduct regular in-store visits to assess planogram adherence and merchandising quality.
• Forecast GWPS/Testers with brand teams; ensure stores receive full activation kits on time.
• Supervise the set-up, implementation, and report on the effectiveness of activation programs using defined KPIs, providing data-driven recommendations for optimization.
• Share updated listing files and follow up with retailers to secure on-time activation.
• Monitor launch readiness in assigned accounts and ensure merchandising alignment.

BUDGET MANAGEMENT

• Monitor activation budgets, ensuring alignment with financial plans.
• Manage SAP entries for all BA Salaries & trade-related purchases and quotations.
• Issue and follow up on POs and ensure proper documentation flow with retailers

Candidate Qualifications:

• 3-5  years of relevant experience, preferably within the beauty, FMCG, or luxury goods industry.
• Strong communication skills and relationship building
• Consumer centric 
• Effective, structured, and hands-on approach, with close attention to detail
• Strong Retail, digital marketing experience with a solid business acumen