APAC Head of Retail (6-7 months Maternity Cover)

Position Objectives:

The Head of Retail, APAC is responsible for defining and executing the long-term retail strategy for the Puig brands across the APAC region. This role will lead the elevation of the retail experience to drive consumer engagement, brand desirability, and operational excellence. The position excludes direct commercial decision-making responsibilities and instead focuses on shaping the retail environment and enabling frontline teams to deliver best-in-class consumer experiences. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with deep expertise in retail operations, customer experience, and team development within the luxury or beauty sectors.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Retail Strategy & Experience Excellence

• Define and execute a cohesive retail strategy tailored to the diverse APAC markets, ensuring alignment with global brand vision and regional business priorities.

• Lead the development of innovative and locally relevant consumer journey frameworks that enhance service standards, customer engagement, and brand storytelling.

• Champion IT and Digital integration within the retail environment to enrich in-store experience and facilitate store operations.

• Continuously monitor consumer trends, market best practices, and competitive benchmarks to evolve the retail model accordingly.

2. Retail Design & Visual Merchandising

• Oversee all aspects of retail design and visual merchandising in collaboration with global and local teams.

• Ensure retail spaces reflect brand identity & consumer-centricity while optimizing functionality and flow.

• Drive consistency and excellence across all touchpoints and optimize the cost and resources.

3. Education & Retail Excellence Culture

• Lead the regional retail education strategy to ensure frontline teams are equipped with brand knowledge, selling techniques, service protocols, and leadership competencies.

• Drive the implementation of an elevated service culture across the region by defining standards, KPIs, and mystery shopper programs.

• Partner with markets to adopt the selling-ceremony and service programs to be more local- relevant while maintaining consistency in brand DNA.

4. Cross-functional & Global Collaboration

• Act as the retail expert and key business partner to cross-functional teams (Marketing, Digital, HR, Merchandising) and market teams in APAC.

• Collaborate with IT and other internal stakeholders to optimize retail tools and systems that support store teams.

• Define best practices to ensure consistent retail execution and service delivery across the region.

• Lead seamless communication and alignment with global retail, education, and store design counterparts to translate global strategies into actionable local plans.

• Represent APAC retail voice in global forums and ensure regional insights and needs are communicated upstream.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Minimum 15 years of experience in retail leadership roles within beauty, luxury, or lifestyle industries, preferably with multi-market APAC exposure.

• Proven track record of leading retail strategy, team development, and consumer experience innovation.

• Strong understanding of APAC market dynamics, consumer behaviors, and cultural nuances.

• Inspirational leader with excellent communication and influencing skills across senior stakeholders.

• Willingness to travel regionally as needed.