Area Manager – North West UK

Hourglass Cosmetics – Join our team as an Area Manager in the North West UK. Hourglass is a vegan and cruelty‑free beauty brand redefining luxury cosmetics with high‑performance products, innovative formulas, and award‑winning franchises.

Recognized by Forbes, Fast Company and Time Magazine as one of the most inventive beauty companies, Hourglass leads the industry with its breakthrough products and commitment to animal welfare. Founded in 2004, Hourglass is globally available in 32 markets and 4,600 stores including Sephora, Ulta, Neiman Marcus, Selfridges, Space NK and more.

Hourglass became part of the Unilever Prestige division in 2017. Discover more about the brand story and mission on our website hourglasscosmetics.com.

About The Role

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated Area Manager to oversee and elevate the performance of our regional stores across the North of England, Scotland and Ireland. This pivotal role requires a passionate leader with a proven track record in people management and hands‑on sales leadership. You will play a key role in coaching teams ensuring our premium customer experience is delivered in our regional stores.

As the Area Manager for our Regional stores in the North of England, Scotland and Ireland, you will be responsible for driving sales, KPIs, services and events in our regional retailers: Selfridges, Arnotts, Brown Thomas, Harvey Nichols, John Lewis and Fenwicks. You will lead and inspire a network of Hourglass Managers and their teams ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge, passion and tools to deliver exceptional customer experiences and exceed commercial targets.

This role requires a strategic leader who can balance commercial acumen with strong coaching and training abilities. You will work closely with key stakeholders, including retail partners and internal teams, to ensure consistent brand messaging, impactful education programs and strong retail execution. This field‑based role is pivotal in nurturing strong relationships with retail partners and leading commercial initiatives to ensure exceptional retail results and customer experience.

You will be responsible for delivering sales growth through coaching and commercial excellence. Weekly store visits to all stores within your area are required and you will work closely with the teams in store.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Business Development

• Own and drive retail performance across our North England, Scotland and Ireland regional stores, ensuring sales targets and KPIs are achieved.
• Analyze business performance and identify opportunities to maximize sell‑through, ranking and brand positioning.
• Develop and implement sales strategies that align with overall brand objectives and retail partner goals.
• Collaborate with internal teams (marketing, merchandising, operations) to ensure seamless execution of brand initiatives and new product launches.
• Work closely with managers and store leadership to drive engagement and results.
• Manage time effectively between regular store visits and ensuring quality time with the entire sales team on the shop floor.
• Responsible for setting and managing regional stores’ sales targets & KPIs to maximise sales and rankings in all doors.
• Lead by example in planning and organising the business for success.
• Use a detailed understanding of the retail context and category performance to assess risk, identify opportunities and devise retail strategy by door.
• Coach and inspire managers to be sales and customer focused with Hourglass.
• Oversee all visual merchandising operations relating to the stores and teams, working closely with the visual merchandising and store design team to ensure smooth installations for all door openings and new launches.
• Review stock levels consistently and work with the operations director to resolve any issues and ensure all processes are followed correctly.
• Support and drive additional eventing and activity plans to effectively build brand awareness and secure additional opportunities to grow the business.

Education

• Work closely with the Education team to ensure your team are set up for success by attending regular training sessions.
• Collaborate with education executives to drive artistry, product knowledge, and service excellence through tailored training sessions, masterclasses and in‑store coaching.
• Ensure Hourglass values are reflected in all customer interactions across our regional stores.

Team Leadership & Brand Advocacy

• Effectively lead and manage the retail team, confidently celebrating success and challenging business opportunities, in a fair and consistent manner.
• Lead and inspire through leaders, ensuring teams feel empowered and engaged with the brand.
• Recruit and manage area vacancies, acting with pace to ensure the right people are recruited in the right roles within the business.
• Act as the key liaison between the brand and retail partners, fostering strong relationships to drive advocacy and long‑term success.
• Be a brand ambassador at key retail and industry events, representing the brand’s vision and values.
• Be proactive and reactive to ensure the business can consistently perform, setting clear and consistent targets to continue to build the business.
• Follow company budget parameters and careful use of company resources to achieve end goals.
• Maintain payroll documents for your area, ensuring commission and overtime are accurately logged.
• Approve team rosters and review time & attendance sheets.
• Support in HR matters, including but not limited to hearing investigations, disciplinaries, oversee performance management processes and employee engagement initiatives.
• Responsible for upholding the Unilever Code of Conduct.

What You’ll Gain

• A wealth of experience in a dynamic and fast‑paced role within Hourglass.
• The opportunity to make a real impact in shaping brand presence and performance across key retail partners.
• In‑depth understanding of how to efficiently build and manage a strong retail team.
• Exposure and experience working with the Senior Leadership Team in both UK & LA.
• Become part of a fast‑growing and passionate luxury makeup brand.
• Build strong relationships with retailers and customers.

You’ll Love This Job If

• Action‑oriented and self‑motivated, able to motivate your team to achieve targets and goals.
• Organised with a structured approach to planning for success with your team.
• Inspirational people manager who leads by example and can remotely manage a diverse team of people.
• Strong communicator and collaborator who builds strong relationships with sales teams, internal teams and retail partners.
• Purpose driven and passionately interested in Hourglass and its purpose.
• Passionate about beauty and retail, eager to learn and absorb all things related to beauty.

Qualifications

• 6+ years beauty management industry experience working with luxury specialty retailers.
• Positive energy and passion for makeup, skincare and service.
• Superior training and motivational abilities.
• Highly organized and structured management approach.
• Strong analytical skills to review sales results, sales forecasts and promotional impact.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced makeup artistry skills.
• Strong eye for merchandising and detail in a luxury environment.
• Thrives working in a fast‑paced agile environment and can manage multiple priorities.
• Exhibits effective communication skills with customers, peers and management.
• Experience in working with MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Ability to travel and manage remotely.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Sales and Business Development

Industries

Personal Care Product Manufacturing