Job Introduction

Card Factory is the UK’s leading specialist retailer of greetings cards, dressings, and gifts with over one thousand stores across the UK and Ireland.  In 2020 we launched our exciting 5-year business strategy including our vision of becoming a true Omni-channel retailer.  This strategy sees significant investment into our Head Office teams creating multiple opportunities to join a fast-paced environment and be part of our exciting journey.  

About the Role

This role will be to support the Executive Director with new business acquisition and growing the retail partnerships portfolio both in the UK and internationally via multi-channel models and Card Factory branded / white label range propositions. Working closely alongside the Head of Partnerships to identify, recruit and operationalise new partnerships. 

Role Responsibility

• Developing and executing strategic plans to achieve sales growth targets
• To identify opportunities, develop plans and drive implementation for new UK wholesale partnerships
• To identify opportunities, develop plans and drive implementation of market entry and routes to market for new international territories
• Maximising sales potential across the portfolio by:
  • Identifying key trends and communicating feedback to the wider business
  • Exploring all category and product opportunities and maximising routes to market, ensuring the end consumer is at the heart of all decisions and brand consistency across all touch points
• Analyse and recommend the best possible partner / model for each new territory
• To lead cross functional teams to deliver end to end project plans to open new markets with new partners
• Taking ownership of contract negotiations, contracts and trading terms, working closely with legal
• Developing, maintaining and operating a competitive blueprint for UK and International partners
• Own the ‘critical path’ to ensure all UK and International partnership agreements are operational and commercially executed to time and budget
• Working with cross functional stakeholders to enhance operational efficiency for UK and International partners, ensuring systems and processes are in place to support partner sales generation and brand consistency. This will range from supply chain optimisation, through to import tariff mitigation

The Ideal Candidate

• An established Business Development or Sales Director within the general merchandise sector (greetings cards – or closely related – would be a significant advantage) with similar routes to market to Card Factory
• Extensive new business development and international experience, in particular the UK and USA
• Experience of working with various partnership models, including developing sophisticated wholesale relationships with some of the world’s largest retailers
• A successful track record of international brand development and partner management
• Experience of selling branded and non-brand propositions is ideal
• International commercial experience is key – particularly the USA
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to build strong, long lasting relationships internally and externally

About the Company

In return we offer a wide range of benefits to support your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

• 33 days annual leave entitlement (inc public / bank holidays)
• Save as you Earn scheme
• 15% Staff Discount
• Discounted Gym Memberships
• O2 open mobile contracts
• Salary Finance
• Pension 
• Discounted Car Leasing
• Employee Care
• Flex My Day
• Card Factory Foundation
• MyCardFactory App: discounts at leading retailers

This is an exciting role with genuine prospects for the right candidate. If this role describes you and your career aspirations, click apply now.

Visit our website to see the products we sell at https://www.cardfactory.co.uk/

For any questions email: vacancies@cardfactory.co.uk (we do not accept CVs/Applications via email) 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once sufficient suitable applications have been received. We advise applying early to avoid disappointment as applications will be reviewed regularly. 

No agencies please.

Sportswift Ltd T/A cardfactory