Area Sales Manager (Upcountry)

Position Summary

The Upcountry Manager is responsible for developing and managing Jim Thompson's presence across the upcountry market. This role oversees the end-to-end business operations across upcountry locations, driving sales growth, strengthening brand visibility, and ensuring consistent execution of the Jim Thompson brand experience across all upcountry environments.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Development & Sales Growth

• Identify and manage strategic partnerships with key retailers and department stores to expand brand reach.
• Negotiate and manage commercial terms, contracts, and promotional agreements with key stakeholders.
• Own and deliver annual sales, margin, and market share targets.

Brand Execution & Merchandising Strategy

• Ensure Jim Thompson's brand positioning is consistently executed across upcountry spots.
• Collaborate closely with merchandising and product teams to develop curated assortments that resonate for upcountry retail customers.
• Uphold VM standards and brand guidelines in all retail environments.

Marketing & Promotions

• Partner with the marketing team to design and implement upcountry retail-specific campaigns and promotions.
• Lead the planning and execution of product launches and seasonal promotions.
• Track ROI and performance of marketing investments to inform future planning.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee retail execution standards, compliance, and operational efficiency for all upcountry locations.
• Analyze sales trends, traveler demographics, and competitor activity to refine strategies and optimize performance.
• Conduct regular business reviews with partners, providing clear insights and action plans for continuous improvement.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work cross-functionally with internal teams including merchandising, marketing, finance, and supply chain to align business objectives.
• Support and coach in-market retail teams or account managers to deliver on commercial KPIs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, or related field.
• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in retail. (Fashion Industry is a plus)
• Experiences at least 3–5 years as Area Manager.
• Proven track record of business development and sales management on luxury retail, lifestyle, or fashion.
• Strong negotiation, commercial, and relationship management skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills in English; other Asian languages are an advantage.
• High cultural awareness, flexibility, and ability to work in a fast-paced, international environment.
• Willingness to travel to stores 3 weeks per month