Job Description
Company: SmileyWorld Ltd
Title: Brand Manager, Greater China (Commercial)
Location: London, UK
Report to: Managing Director, Greater China
ABOUT SMILEY
As one of the world's top 100 licensors, The Smiley Company works with over 400 licensees and
best-of-class retailer partners globally, to bring the iconic Smiley and Newmoji Brands to life across
the fashion, home, beauty, toy and entertainment sectors. We are a collective of fun-loving people
with a passion for creating and storytelling. As part of our commitment to diversity, we cultivate a
workplace of learning and inclusiveness. For 50 years the award-winning Smiley brand has
shaped the way we share happiness and express ourselves through iconic and creative products.
Today, Smiley has become more than just an icon, it is a brand and a lifestyle, reminding people just
how powerful a smile can be.
Smiley is also setting up a network of pop up shops and permanent corners in the world's leading
department stores, the products are developed in collaboration with the world's most iconic brands
and the most creative designers and are aligned with the sustainable agenda we have been
promoting with our non profit the Smiley movement. We are hiring a team to grow this new
operation.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Responsible for Greater China commercial licensing activities with specific focus on assigned
categories. Covering a portfolio of licensees and with focus on identified key accounts, implement
and execute long term and fiscal year strategies to maximise the product categories in order to
reach all identified consumer demographics and maximise sales and earned revenue.
Relationships are key to the success of this role, both internally and externally. He/she will be
required to actively manage and cultivate the engagement, partnership and joint business planning
with each account, new and existing, in order to drive and deliver strategic growth in licensing sales
on behalf of the Greater China business.
Apply creativity, commerciality and expertise in assigned category product development and utilise
knowledge of digital, social and bricks and mortar alongside key trends and consumer insights to
develop and drive succinct strategies cross different functions.
This role reports to the Managing Director of Greater China (based in UK), the position is based in
London, UK.
Responsibilities:
- Assist, plan and execute Greater China licensing strategy for the assigned categories, work closely
with relevant functions and stakeholders internally and externally.
- Manage and plan the annual operating plan and forecasting process, developing licensee objectives
and initiatives to drive growth, working with sales, marketing, categories and finance.
- Actively manage and cultivate the relationship engagement, partnership and joint business planning
as appropriate with each licensee, new and existing.
- Involved in contract renewal with licensees as appropriate to maximise royalty revenue and
appropriately inform all key stakeholders with the relevant information.
- Work closely with the category teams, marketing teams to support the sale of the product as
required by licensees.
- Work closely with the other managers within the China team to coordinate ranges and launches with
licensees across categories.
Daily work includes but not limited to the below:
- Onboarding new partners, prepare induction meetings.
- Review launch plan, distribution plan and marketing plan with partners.
- Facilitate and drive a smooth product approval process between partners and Category teams.
- Be the brand gate keeper of Smiley in China, liaise support from global team to China partners.
- Quarter business review with partners.
- Involve in royalties report tracking and updating.
Basic Qualifications:
- Degree level education in a related field or equivalent work experience.
- Experience within licensing, fashion, FMCG preferred.
- Proven experience of building effective relationships, leading and managing change and
collaboration across departments to achieve financial targets and joint goals.
- Financial acumen.
- Ability to analyse data, construct practical conclusions and implement recommendations to achieve
business targets.
- Computer literate including MS Word, Excel and Keynote.
- Fluent in Mandarin and English are essential.
- A good eye for digital, social and brick and mortar marketing.
- Excellent commercial and strategic approaches to problem solving and innovation.
- Exceptional planning and organisation skills.
- Strong influencing skills with the ability to achieve buy-in at all levels.
- Cultural sensitivity.
- Benefits include:
- Competitive Market Salary
- 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- Pension scheme
- Perkbox and Vitality health insurance after successful completion of probationary period