Associate Director - Sales - Eyewear

Position: Associate Director

Division: Vision 2000

Reporting to: Group Director, Vision 2000

Job Description:

• Lead the development and execution of regional sales and business growth strategies to achieve revenue targets, profitability objectives, and market share expansion across the MENA region.

• Drive strategic business planning through market intelligence, competitive analysis, and identification of emerging trends and growth opportunities.

• Oversee the evaluation, selection, and market positioning of assigned eyewear brands and collections to maximize commercial potential.

• Establish and implement distribution strategies to ensure optimal brand presence across key retail channels while safeguarding brand equity and positioning.

• Build, mentor, and lead high-performing sales teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and results-driven performance.

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with brand principals, key accounts, retailers, and other business partners.

• Identify and negotiate new business opportunities, partnerships, and expansion initiatives to accelerate growth.

• Ensure effective inventory planning and stock management across assigned territories to support sales objectives and minimize supply disruptions.

• Direct visual merchandising initiatives in alignment with brand principals' guidelines and oversee execution of promotional campaigns across key retail locations.

• Lead negotiations to secure premium retail visibility, dedicated brand spaces, window displays, and other high-impact promotional opportunities.

• Monitor sales performance, market dynamics, and customer trends, providing strategic recommendations to optimize business performance.

• Prepare and present business reviews, sales forecasts, market analysis, and strategic reports to senior management and brand partners.

• Collaborate closely with marketing, brand management, retail operations, warehousing, logistics, and finance teams to ensure alignment of commercial objectives and business priorities.

• Lead product knowledge, brand, and sales training initiatives for retail teams and key stakeholders to enhance brand advocacy and customer engagement.

• Ensure adherence to company policies, commercial governance standards, and brand principal requirements across all markets.

Candidate Profile:

• Bachelor's Degree or Postgraduate Qualification in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related discipline; MBA preferred.

• Arabic language proficiency (spoken and written) is highly preferred.

• Minimum 10 - 15 years of sales, distribution, or commercial management experience within the GCC region, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.

• Experience within the eyewear, luxury, fashion, FMCG, or consumer goods sectors is preferred.

• Proven track record of delivering sustainable revenue growth, market expansion, and strategic account development.

• Strong leadership, people management, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

• Excellent commercial acumen, negotiation, presentation, and communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to build strategic partnerships and manage relationships with international brand principals.

• Strong analytical and financial planning skills with experience managing budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics.

• Valid UAE Driving License.

• Willingness to travel extensively across MENA region.

Important Note: Should know Arabic (written and verbal).

Desired Company/Industry Backgrounds:

• Luxury Wholesale and Luxury Distribution backgrounds, Perfumes and Cosmetics (P&C).

• L'Oreal Luxe ME, Estee Lauder ME, Puig, Interparfums, Coty Prestige, Shiseido ME, LVMH Perfumes and cosmetics and the likes.

• Wholesale/distribution background candidates from Chalhoub Group (distribution), Al Tayer Insignia, Jashanmal, Bin Hendi, Ahmed Seddiqi and Sons, Damas, Etoile Group etc.

• Can also look at excellent caliber CORPORATE sales candidates.