Head of Retail, UK & Ireland

Job Description: Head of Retail, UK & Ireland Industry: Designer CollectablesLocation: Canary Wharf, LondonJob Type: Full-time, PermanentAbout POP MART Founded in 2010, POP MART is a market-leading entertainment company and a global champion of designer figurine culture. Through artist development, IP operations, and the promotion of designer figurine culture, we have built an integrated platform covering the entire value chain.Our original and iconic IPs—including Molly, Hirono, Skullpanda, and LABUBU—sit alongside collaborations with leading global brands such as Disney, Universal Studios, and Sanrio.POPMART has a strong and growing presence across Europe, including Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France, and the UK. In the UK&I region we currently operate 9+ stores and 5+ Robo Shops (self-service vending machines). With ambitious expansion plans, we continue to scale our retail footprint with new London openings and nationwide growth.To learn more, please visit our website or LinkedIn Career Page.What to Expect POPMART is a fast-paced company with a young, multicultural, and creative team. In this role, you will:Lead and optimise the UK retail operations while planning strategic expansion into IrelandManage day-to-day retail operations with a focus on operational excellence, customer experience, and commercial performancePlay a key leadership role in strengthening POP MART’s position in one of its most important European marketsWork cross-functionally with regional teams and global headquarters to drive alignment and consistencyContribute to the development of one of the most culturally dynamic and creative brands in the collectible spaceBenefits At POPMART, you can expect:Monthly appreciation gifts featuring selected POP MART figurinesStructured bonus/commission scheme tied to company and individual performanceComprehensive training and development programsRegular team social eventsPaid rest breaksRole Overview The Head of Retail, UK & Ireland will lead and optimise all POP MART physical retail operations across both markets. With the UK being an established growth market, the focus will be on driving store performance, elevating customer experience, and expanding our retail footprint.This role holds full P&L responsibility for retail and vending operations and requires close collaboration with HQ and regional teams to maintain consistent brand standards and operational excellence.This position is ideal for a hands-on, commercially driven retail leader experienced in growing markets, building teams, and managing high-volume operations in a fast-scaling environment.Key Responsibilities Retail Operations & Store Performance Oversee end-to-end management of all physical retail stores, ensuring strong execution and customer engagementDefine, track, and analyse key KPIs including sales, footfall, conversion, and customer satisfactionImplement best practices to drive operational efficiency and improve sales executionLead store teams and Area Managers to ensure brand consistency and high performanceEnsure compliance with global retail standards and customer experience guidelinesMerchandising & Product Strategy Develop and execute the UK&I merchandising strategy across stores, vending machines, and e-commerceAnalyse inventory levels, sell-through, and consumer trends to optimise stock planningCollaborate with supply chain, HQ, and logistics partners to ensure product availabilityMaintain high visual merchandising standards across all retail formatsProvide data-driven insights on local trends to influence future product developmentCustomer Experience Lead initiatives to enhance the customer journey across all retail locationsEnsure consistent, high-quality service delivery across store teamsExecute local marketing initiatives, in-store activations, and brand campaignsSupport customer retention through meaningful offline engagementFinancial & P&L Management Own full retail and vending P&L, ensuring revenue growth and cost controlMonitor financial performance, implementing improvements to enhance profitabilityWork with Finance on budgeting, Opex management, and accurate reportingEvaluate new store openings and vending machine rollouts based on data and strategic prioritiesPeople Leadership & Development Build, lead, and develop a high-performing retail teamOversee recruitment, onboarding, and career development initiativesImplement engagement and retention strategies to maintain team morale and performanceFoster a culture of accountability, innovation, and customer focusRequired Qualifications 10+ years’ senior retail management experience (FMCG, fashion, lifestyle, or high-volume retail preferred)Proven experience in business expansion and launching new retail operationsStrong P&L management, budgeting, and financial planning capabilitiesDeep understanding of brand building, consumer engagement, and retail marketingStrong strategic decision-making skills and ability to manage complexityExcellent negotiation and relationship management skills (including real estate partnerships)Fluent English (written and spoken)Based in London, with occasional travel across Europe and to Beijing HQPermanent right to work in the UK (no visa sponsorship available)Desirable Qualifications Experience managing teams across multiple European marketsKnowledge of the UK & Ireland retail landscape, particularly lifestyle or collectible categoriesPassion for designer figurines, pop culture, and collectible artYour ApplicationIf the opportunity sounds interesting to you, please apply with your updated CV via “Apply Now” or email to uk.hr@popmart.com.