I. BUSINESS CONTEXT:
Chanel has developed a solid distribution in Travel Retail (TR) territories in Japan for Fragrances & Beauty (F&B – 15 POS across 7 locations) and has established itself as the leading international brand in Japanese airports. The TR environment in Japan is undergoing a dynamic transformation, driven by the emergence of new traveler nationalities and an increasingly diverse customer base. At the same time, the industry remains exposed to external disruptions — as evidenced by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic — making resilience and strategic agility essential qualities for this role.
Building on this strong foundation, Chanel is committed to consolidating its leadership position while adapting to the evolving needs of a diverse and unpredictable marketplace. In line with its actions on the Local Market (LM), the brand remains focused on providing exceptional customer experiences and delivering products and services that enhance travelers' journeys. As a market leader, we are seeking a driven and experienced professional to lead and oversee the continued development of our TR business in Japan.
II. EXISTING AND FUTURE STAKES: Areas of transformation for the future
The TR Director will play a pivotal role in the success of our organization by providing strategic leadership, operational excellence, and exceptional customer service across our TR locations. This individual will be responsible for driving revenue growth, optimizing operational efficiency, and ensuring an unforgettable shopping experience for travelers.
He/She will need to demonstrate strong leadership and interpersonal skills, positioning themselves as a partner with the other Chanel TR regions and headquarters team, airport business partners, and — most importantly — leading the office and retail teams.
This position reports to the FBP Japan General Manager and operates in alignment with the Global Travel Retail governance.
III. RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES: Based on above
Impact at CHANEL
Leadership and Strategy: Develop and execute the company's travel retail strategy in alignment with broader business goals. Lead a team of department managers and staff to achieve sales targets and maintain high customer satisfaction levels.
The TR director is directly accountable for business partners relationship development: Manage relationships with business partners to further develop a prominent level of trust and priority to our brand in partner’s share of mind. Negotiate favorable terms and collaborate on promotional activities to optimize Chanel’s visibility in airports to further cater to brand equity.
Organization Building: Shape Travel Retail Division organization based on business development opportunities and internal work matrix needs.
Operations Management: Oversee, through sales and marketing managers, all aspects of day-to-day retail operations, including store layout, visual merchandising, inventory management, staffing and logistics. Implement best practices to maximize efficiency and minimize operational costs.
Foster internal discussions to ensure collaborative work with LM teams.
Sales and Revenue Generation: Develop business plans, set and monitor sales targets, track performance metrics, and implement sales strategies to drive revenue growth. Foster a sales-focused environment, motivate the sales team, and identify opportunities for upselling and cross-selling.
Customer Experience: Ensure exceptional customer service standards are always maintained. Implement initiatives to enhance the overall shopping experience, including customer engagement, product knowledge, and loyalty programs. Lead and overview digital tools developments and roll out to enhance Chanel shopping experience and develop customer loyalty.
Financial Management: Prepare and manage the travel retail budget, monitor expenses, and ensure financial objectives are met. Analyze sales data, market trends, and key performance indicators to make informed decisions.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards pertaining to travel retail operations, including customs, and tax regulations.
Staff Development: Recruit, train, and mentor staff members to achieve their full potential. Foster a positive work environment that encourages teamwork, professional growth, and employee engagement.
Marketing and Promotions: Collaborate with the marketing team to develop and execute promotional campaigns, events, and marketing initiatives to attract travelers and increase footfall.
Qualifications:
Chanel is a private company and world leader in creating, manufacturing and distributing luxury products, including Ready-to-Wear, Accessories, Fragrances, Makeup, Skincare, Jewellery and Watches. Founded by Gabrielle Chanel in 1910, the House remains dedicated to exceptional craftsmanship and offering high-end creations. Chanel employs more than 32,000 people worldwide.
As part of this, the House promotes arts, culture and creativity, while investing significantly in key areas including research & development, sustainability, and innovation.
Chanel is dedicated to creating the conditions for people to perform at their best, building on their strengths and enabling them to benefit from new opportunities. It offers a unique working environment where people are given time to understand the brand, the business, and develop their personal motivations. This means everyone can grow, continue to be inspired and feel included, now and in the future. The company fosters true collaboration and respect for all, grounded in the belief that diversity is essential to the success of the organisation and its people.
Chanel is committed to rewarding people competitively, as well as offering initiatives such as wellbeing programmes, learning and development opportunities, and parental leave for all parents globally.
