VP, Retail Sales

Job description

the job: As the Vice President of Retail Sales, you will own the strategy and execution of amika's retail channel across North America, driving growth across key accounts including Ulta Beauty, Sephora, and other premier retail partners. You will lead a high-performing sales team and serve as the senior commercial voice for the brand, working in close partnership with marketing, education, creative, and operations to deliver ambitious revenue targets and elevate the brand's presence in-store and online. You will set the vision for how amika shows up at retail, build deep and lasting relationships with key retail stakeholders, and translate brand strategy into winning commercial plans. location: Brooklyn, NY (must be based in + have the right to work in the US) what you'll do: Strategy & Commercial Leadership Own and drive the North American retail channel strategy, setting short- and long-term plans that meet and exceed company revenue and growth objectives. Lead all aspects of the Ulta Beauty partnership — including joint business planning, assortment strategy, promotional calendars, and senior-level relationship management. Develop and manage the overall retail sales budget, including forecasting, P&L accountability, and trade spend optimization across accounts and product lines. Identify and capitalize on new retail opportunities, including account expansion, new door growth, digital shelf optimization, and emerging channel development. Serve as the senior commercial representative at key retailer meetings, market events, and brand moments. Account Management & Retail Partnerships Build and sustain best-in-class partnerships with key retail buyers, category managers, and merchant teams at Ulta Beauty, Sephora, and additional strategic accounts. Lead joint business planning processes and executive-level QBRs, presenting brand performance, insights, and forward-looking strategies. Oversee product assortment strategy by account, maximizing productivity, category mix, and shelf presentation. Drive retailer-specific 360 activation plans in partnership with marketing, encompassing in-store animation, digital, education, sampling, and visual merchandising. Manage and elevate in-store brand presentation, including hero and core distortion, fixture strategy, and the overall client shopping experience. Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration Lead, mentor, and grow a team of retail sales managers and account executives, building a high-performance culture of accountability and results. Establish clear goals, performance metrics, and development plans for all direct reports. Partner closely with marketing to co-develop launch strategies, in-store campaigns, and seasonal priorities that align with brand objectives. Collaborate with education to design and execute retailer training programs, brand days, and field activation initiatives. Work cross-functionally with inventory planning, operations, creative, and product development to align on execution timelines and commercial readiness. Champion a "digital first" omnichannel mindset, ensuring cohesion between in-store and online consumer experiences. Be a passionate brand advocate who can confidently sell in bold brand ideas and influence at senior levels both internally and externally. Analytics & Performance Management Own sell-through analysis, reporting, and post-launch reviews, translating data into clear insights and action plans. Monitor competitive landscape and market trends, adjusting strategy proactively to maintain amika's competitive position. Track and report on key retail KPIs, ensuring the business has full visibility into performance against plan. must haves: 10+ years of progressive retail sales experience within the beauty industry, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role (Director level or above). Deep expertise managing Ulta Beauty; existing relationships with Ulta buying and merchant teams strongly preferred. Proven experience managing large, complex retail accounts (Sephora, Target, Walmart, or similar mass/prestige accounts a plus). Demonstrated ability to develop and execute multi-year commercial strategies that deliver measurable revenue growth. Strong P&L ownership experience, including budgeting, forecasting, and trade investment management. Exceptional leadership skills with a track record of building and developing high-performing sales teams. Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and experience working alongside marketing, education, operations, and product teams. Data-driven mindset with the ability to synthesize complex sell-through and market data into clear, strategic recommendations. Excellent communication and presentation skills; comfortable presenting to C-suite and retail partner senior leadership. Passion for the beauty industry and deep understanding of the prestige and specialty retail landscape. Ability to travel as needed to support key retail partners, events, and internal meetings. Bachelor's degree required; MBA or equivalent business experience a plus. ready to apply? please click the link below that will bring you to our careers page where you can submit your application + resume (cover letter optional). a member of our team will be in touch soon! amika means friend. we’re a fearless, Brooklyn-born, salon-raised haircare brand + a friend to all hair, hairstylists, the planet + you. we’re rooted in clinical results. each product is infused with our intoxicating scent + powered by our superfruit soul, sea buckthorn. known as one of earth’s most omega-rich plant sources, this potent berry nourishes your skin, scalp + strands. we’re a proud pal to the planet + certified B-Corp. from sustainably sourced ingredients + recyclable packaging to our energy-saving production processes, we pledge to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, waste + energy to reach Net Zero by 2030. having grown up in salons, we know better than anyone how important stylists are—they’re our confidantes + community. Think of us as your at-home hairapist, here to empower self-expression + bring joy to your haircare experience. all hair is welcome™.