Industry: Designer toys and collectible pieces
Location: Canary Wharf, London
Job type: Fulltime permanent
Working Hours: 40 hours per week
About POP MART
Founded in 2010, POP MART is a market-leading entertainment company and a global champion of designer toy culture. Through global artist development, IP operations, and designer toy culture evangelism, we have built an integrated platform covering the entire designer toy value chain. Besides our original and iconic IPs such as Molly, Hirono, Skullpanda, and LABUBU, POP MART collaborates with top-tier toys and lifestyle brands including Disney, Universal Studios, and Sanrio to create collectible art toys featuring their iconic characters.
In the UK, POP MART operates seven stores in London and Midlands, and over six Robo Shops (vending machines for POP MART products). With our ambitious growth plan, we continue to expand our retail network by opening new stores in London and nationwide.
For more information, please visit www.popmart.com and our LinkedIn Career page.
What to Expect
POP MART is a boutique-sized company with a young and multicultural team where you can expect to:
- Gain valuable professional experience covering the entire retail life cycle
- Have the opportunity to work with people from different countries and cultures in a collaborative environment
- Receive structured customer service, retail operations, and product training
- Be proactively involved in the company’s growth
Benefits
POP MART offers our employees:
- Selected POP MART toys as appreciation gifts every month
- A structured bonus/commission scheme in line with the company’s and the individual’s performance
- Comprehensive training and development programs
- Regular team social events
- Paid rest breaks
The Role and Candidate
Reporting to the UK General Manager, the Business Development Manager will be responsible for driving the strategic expansion and growth of PopMart's retail footprint across the UK market. This dynamic and multifaceted role encompasses end-to-end management of new store development projects, fostering strategic partnerships, executing initiatives to achieve revenue targets, and spearheading innovative business collaboration opportunities to support PopMart's ambitious growth objectives in the UK.
Responsibilities
New Stores Development:
- Identify, evaluate, and recommend prospective new store locations based on in-depth market analysis and demographic data
- Negotiate lease agreements and other contractual terms with shopping mall owners, landlords, and local authorities
- Coordinate cross-functionally with design, construction, and project management teams to ensure seamless new store openings
Business Partnerships:
- Develop and execute sales strategies to achieve revenue targets. Lead negotiations, manage contracts, and oversee key business transactions
- Proactively identify, evaluate, and propose strategic business partnership opportunities that can support PopMart's growth in the UK market
- Develop compelling partnership proposals, including joint ventures, co-branding initiatives, and other collaborative arrangements
- Negotiate partnership agreements and manage the successful implementation and ongoing collaboration with partners
Stakeholder Management:
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with key clients, partners, and stakeholders. Ensure high levels of satisfaction and long-term collaboration
- Partner closely with the headquarters team to align on business priorities, budgets, and new store requirements
- Facilitate effective coordination and integration between the business development function and other internal departments (e.g., marketing, operations, legal, finance)
Leadership & Strategy:
- Provide strong, visionary leadership to the business development team, fostering a culture of innovation, customer-centricity, and continuous improvement
- Develop and execute comprehensive business development strategies and plans to support PopMart's long-term growth objectives in the UK
- Closely monitor industry trends, competitor activities, and market dynamics to identify new opportunities and mitigate risks
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 7 years of experience in a similar business development, or retail expansion role, preferably within the consumer goods or retail industry
- Proven track record of successfully managing end-to-end new store projects, from site selection to store openings
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships
- Demonstrable commercial acumen and experience in developing and executing strategic business partnerships
- Proficient in project management, budgeting, and financial analysis
- Thorough understanding of the UK retail landscape and experience working with shopping mall operators and landlords
- Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team
- Degree in Business Administration, Real Estate, or a related field preferred
Desirable but Not Essential
- Understand of designer toy and collectible trends, particularly in the art toy market, and consumer preferences in the collectible space
- Experience with new store openings and expansion projects, particularly outside London and in other UK cities
Your Application
If the opportunity sounds interesting to you, please apply with your updated CV via “Apply Now” or email to [email protected].