Education Executive (La Mer & Bobbi Brown)

Position Summary

The Education Executive is primarily responsible for coordinating and conducting training schools (Virtual or Classroom) and in-store training in accordance with the National Training Curriculum to ensure Brand education standards are achieved and is locally relevant with a key focus on selling skills. In this role, you are required to dedicate approximately 40% of time to on-counter coaching and approximately 60% to training schools – Virtual / Classroom, Live Chat Assistance (assist as required), Virtual Selling, Content creation. The EE must upskill retail teams with practical skills needed to conduct the required services in both Skincare & Makeup brands as required.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Adapts and develops retailer specific and affiliate specific programs including selling, services, and coaching – in store or via digital channels, for own and generic staff where applicable.
• Plans and delivers the education training for own and generic staff.
• Conduct in-store employee assessments where applicable.
• Evaluates education program, tracks result, and follows up (e.g. use Mystery Shopper results), shares learnings with brands, region, global.
• Together with Education Manager builds and manages the education budget per brand.
• Drives collaboration with brands, commercial team and digital commerce and marketing team to ensure alignment.
• Responsible for building sales and consumer experience capabilities with in-store staff across brands
• Fosters the development of digital skills of in-store teams (content creation, community management), driving and accelerating e-learning.
• Develops and implement programs for branded content for social media via Product Trainers such as How-To videos and / or live streaming.
• In store coaching & development – focused on services & skills
• Liaise with retailers in respect to training calendars.
• Work with Regional, Brand Marketing team, Education Manager and Consumer Marketing Manager to ensure alignment of training strategy and successful implementation thereof.
• Plan, problem solve, negotiate, and aid retail teams.
• Reinforce and support Marketing Calendar, Special Events, GWP and Holiday
• Establish and maintain comprehensive information system on all education / training materials relating to product knowledge, display concepts, sales techniques, promotional programmes, and system / procedural requirements.
• Customize international programs to ensure relevance to South African market and rollout to ensure successful implementation.
• Integration of selling skills / Virtual selling as key focus in all trainings – shift from only product training with a full omni channel approach
• Ensure materials necessary for training programmes are available when required.
• Manage staff uniforms, as required.
• Ensure Regional / Global Education strategy is implemented with local relevance.
• Control correct use of client registry program (CRM) or any brand specific programs.
• Co-ordinate and plan launch events and development of presentations.
• Conduct weekly in-store coaching in Focus doors to ensure product knowledge, customer service and staff skills are within expected standards.
• Develop future training requirements and establish formats for training manuals.
• Manage and maintain agreed training objectives for the Brand.
• Provide monthly report on training activities, including problems encountered and recommendations for improving performance.
• Compile monthly departmental Performance Reports and any Regional / International reports if required.
• Build strong relationships with Regional Education Teams and share best practices.
• Staff interviews : Assist in recruitment process of retail staff where required.
• Monitor retail staff turnover and productivity and submit report to Education Manager for approval.
• Ensure company policy and procedures are always maintained and lead by example in the trade.
• Follow up on training to ascertain retention of information in stores post trainings seminars.
• Provide development and guidance to retail teams and in-store teams.
• Assist with on boarding of new employees, motivation, and communication with in-store staff via different social platforms i.e. WhatsApp group chats. Keep teams updated via on any changes or updates.
• Conduct and plan brand accreditation programmes where necessary.
• Conduct Induction on behalf of brands for Affiliate.
• Ensure “on-board” execution for trainings are implemented with a special focus on cost effectiveness. Adhere to Education budgets.
• Assist with consumer events to ensure brand equity is maintained.
• Responsible for implementation of all trainings nationally, whilst liaising with the Coastal Corporate trainer.

Qualifications

Requirements and Experience

Key Personal Characteristics