Sales Director- Asia

Noble Panacea is a new revolutionary skincare brand founded by Nobel Laureate Sir Fraser Stoddart and launched in October 2019. The ground-breaking OSMV Technology at the core of the brand enables transformational efficacy and precision. We create with intention and deep respect by adhering to the global principles of green chemistry. We take our commitment to nature and sustainability to all stages of product development, from R&D to packaging.

Ultimately, we strive to promote absolute skin health by empowering all who seek authentic, natural, and ageless beauty.

This senior, highly experienced executive will join a dynamic and rapidly growing organization, Noble Panacea, which has recently launched in China. In this role, they will lead and expand the Asia Sales Team, refining the company's long-term customer-centric strategy, accelerating growth from existing retail stores, identifying new store locations and opening those stores while delivering on an integrated omnichannel approach in China and across Asia. With a holistic, end-to-end view of the customer experience, this role will serve as the steward of the Noble Panacea retail experience. This leader will have data-driven approach and full P&L responsibility (including setting and achieving KPIs) for the retail operations in Asia.

Travel: 60%

Duties and Responsibilities:

Sell-Out and Commercial Strategy

· Build and execute clear Asia-wide, national, regional, and door-level sales strategies to drive growth and meet/exceed forecasts.

· Own P&L including annual sales and cost forecasts, trade marketing, travel and headcount.

· Data-driven approach to retail strategy setting, tracking and ensuring delivery of KPIs and OKRs at regional, store and individual employee levels.

· Translate customer insights into action plans that improve the retail experience and increase loyalty.

Retail Operations & Trade Marketing

· Oversee store and counter operations, ensuring excellence in execution.

· Implement an 'always-on' strategy for trade marketing and store activations.

· Ensure digital and in-store activations are integrated with platforms such as WeChat, Xiaohongshu, and Douyin.

Retailer Relationship Management

· Develop and manage relationships with key retail partners.

· Negotiate improved margin and payment terms; secure and upgrade counter locations.

· Manage retailer stock and replenishment cycles to maintain stock health and turn.

Consumer and Clienteling Focus

· Deep understanding of the Chinese luxury consumer: preferences, motivations, and service expectations.

· Implement in-store CRM and clienteling systems to drive acquisition, retention, and repeat purchases.

· Leverage retailer and Mall CRM systems to drive footfall and growth.

· Collaborate with the digital team on omni-channel integration.

Cross-Functional Leadership

· Work closely with global and local digital, marketing, merchandising, training, and operations teams.

· Localise global strategies in partnership with global leadership teams.

Team Development and Talent Management

· Lead cross-regional teams with cultural sensitivity and motivation.

· Coach, mentor, and manage performance of national sales managers, store managers, and beauty advisors.

· Recruit new talent as needed in partnership with global HR.

Business Development and Distribution

· Develop a robust strategy for Asia offline retail expansion, prioritising China.

· Negotiate lowest feasible retailer margins with most advantageous terms.

· Identify potential new distributor partners for retail in Asia, approach, negotiate and onboard the best partners for each region.

Strategic Sales Expertise:

• 10+ years experience in skincare or beauty retail sales across China and ideally Asia.

•  Deep understanding of market trends, cultural nuances, and consumer behaviour across different Asian markets (with a primary focus on China).

•  Ability to manage budgets, forecast sales, and optimise marketing spend.

•  Proven success in senior sales roles in the luxury or premium skincare or beauty.

Leadership and Communication:

• Strong leadership skills to guide cross-regional teams, fostering collaboration and innovation.

• Fluency in English and Mandarin is essential and other relevant languages is highly advantageous to ensure effective local communication.

• Strong relationships across China and (ideally) Asia's retail ecosystem with an existing network of contacts and strategic partners at retailers, malls and (ideally) distrubutors.

Data-Driven Decision Making:

• Proven track record of using data analytics to inform strategy, track key metrics, and optimise campaigns.

• Strong analytical skills and a data-driven, execution-focused approach with experience in retail P&L, sell-through strategy development, and premium retailer partnerships.

Education

• A degree from a top-tier Chinese or international university, MBA preferred.

• International exposure and global mindset essential.