📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Assistant Manager - Key Account, Premium Cosmetics Division
🔹 Company: Shiseido
🔹 Location: Hong Kong
🔹 Job Type: On-site
🔹 Category: Beauty & Cosmetics
🔹 Date Posted: April 11, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with key retailers
- Formulating sales planning and driving joint business planning
- Monitoring and analyzing retailers' performance
- Maximizing sales performance and enhancing brand image
- Conducting competitive analysis and gaining market intelligence
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with various stakeholders in the retail sector.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Build and maintain strong relationships with key retailers
✅ Assist in formulating sales planning and drive joint business planning
✅ Monitor and analyze retailers' performance and make recommendations for improvement
✅ Maximize sales performance in line with the agreed brand development and financial objectives
✅ Ensure strong in-store visibility and effective implementation of sales and distribution strategies
✅ Prepare market trend and sales analysis to facilitate accurate forecasting
✅ Establish and enhance brand image in all retailer channels
✅ Conduct competitive analysis at trade level and gain market intelligence
✅ Coach and support frontline staff to drive sales performance
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of strategic planning, analytical work, and hands-on sales management.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: University graduate in Business or related disciplines
Experience: Minimum 5 years' relevant experience in key account management, preferably in FMCG or beauty industry
Required Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Good command in both written and spoken English and Chinese
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
- Good team player with a proactive and detail-oriented mindset
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the beauty industry
- Knowledge of key retail channels in Hong Kong
ASSUMPTION: Given the role's focus on key account management, candidates with relevant experience in the FMCG or beauty industry are strongly preferred.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: HKD 500,000 - 700,000 per annum (Estimated based on industry standards for a mid-level management role in Hong Kong's beauty industry)
Benefits:
- Medical and dental insurance
- Retirement benefits
- Employee discounts on Shiseido products
- Opportunities for career growth within the company
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexibility to work overtime as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on market research and industry standards for similar roles in Hong Kong. Actual compensation may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Shiseido operates in the competitive personal care product manufacturing industry, with a focus on premium cosmetics.
Company Size: Shiseido is a large corporation with over 10,000 employees globally, offering a structured and established work environment.
Founded: Shiseido was founded in Japan in 1872 and has since grown into a global beauty company with a strong presence in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Company Description:
- Shiseido is one of the top cosmetics companies in the world, with a rich portfolio of international brands in 120 countries and regions.
- The company's mission is to offer solutions to social problems and achieve a sustainable society, helping people find happiness through its mainstay beauty business.
- Shiseido is committed to creating a better world through beauty innovations, as it perceives and responds to each person's profound need for betterment in an ever-changing global environment.
Company Specialties:
- Prestige, fragrance, skin care, cosmetics, beauty, science, art & design, Japanese aesthetic, luxury, and makeup
Company Website: corp.shiseido.com/en/
ASSUMPTION: Shiseido's extensive global presence and strong brand portfolio provide ample opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level management
Reporting Structure: The Assistant Manager will report directly to the Key Account Manager and work closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, and operations.
Work Arrangement: This role requires a full-time on-site presence, with the possibility of occasional travel to meet with key retail partners.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Key Account Manager role within the Premium Cosmetics Division
- Expansion into other divisions or regions within the Shiseido Group
- Development of leadership and management skills through mentorship and training programs
ASSUMPTION: Given Shiseido's global presence and diverse brand portfolio, there are ample opportunities for career growth and development within the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, professional office environment with a focus on collaboration and innovation
Office Location(s): Hong Kong - Central
Geographic Context:
- Hong Kong is a major global financial hub with a vibrant and dynamic business environment
- The city offers a high standard of living, with excellent dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions
- Hong Kong's strategic location in Asia makes it an ideal base for working with key retail partners in the region
Work Schedule: Standard office hours with flexibility to work overtime as needed to meet business demands
ASSUMPTION: The Hong Kong office provides a dynamic and multicultural work environment, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or video interview with the hiring manager
- Final round interview with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Problem-solving skills and analytical thinking
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Sales and negotiation skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Shiseido's values
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience in key account management and the beauty industry
- Demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills through examples
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your fit for the role and the company
ATS Keywords: Key Account Management, Sales Planning, Retail Performance Analysis, Sales Performance Maximization, In-store Visibility, Market Trend Analysis, Brand Image Enhancement, Competitive Analysis, Market Intelligence, Training Support, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Detail Oriented, Self-motivated, Team Player, Fast-paced Environment
ASSUMPTION: Shiseido's recruitment process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best match for the role and the company.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Salesforce or other CRM platforms
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role are standard for the industry and can be easily adapted by candidates with relevant experience.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centricity
- Creativity and innovation
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Integrity and accountability
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced
- Results-driven and focused on achieving targets
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and open to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate customer-centricity in your daily work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you drove innovation or creativity in a previous role?
- How do you handle working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, and how do you prioritize your workload?
ASSUMPTION: Shiseido values candidates who are aligned with its core values and can thrive in a dynamic and collaborative work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple key retail accounts simultaneously, each with its own unique requirements and priorities
- Navigating a competitive retail landscape and maintaining strong relationships with key partners
- Adapting to a fast-paced and dynamic work environment, with a focus on achieving sales targets and driving business growth
- Working effectively with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, and operations, to ensure alignment and collaboration
ASSUMPTION: The role presents both challenges and opportunities for candidates with strong interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, and a proven track record in key account management.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other key account management roles, this position places a stronger emphasis on sales planning, market trend analysis, and competitive analysis
- In the beauty industry, this role requires a deep understanding of both the retail landscape and consumer behavior
- Career progression in this role could lead to opportunities in other divisions or regions within the Shiseido Group, with potential for increased responsibility and leadership
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic planning, analytical work, and hands-on sales management, making it an attractive opportunity for candidates with relevant experience in the beauty industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive sales plan for a key retail account, including target setting, promotional activities, and inventory management
- Conducting a competitive analysis of a key retail partner's competitors, and developing strategies to maintain market share and drive growth
- Coordinating a product launch event with a key retail partner, including logistics, marketing, and sales support
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and operational aspects of the role, highlighting the need for strong analytical, interpersonal, and project management skills.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Premium Cosmetics Division?
- How does Shiseido support the growth and development of its employees, particularly in mid-level management roles?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days, and how will success be measured?
- How does Shiseido approach collaboration and information sharing across different divisions and regions?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working with key retail partners in the Hong Kong market?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into the role, the team, and the company culture, helping candidates make an informed decision about their application.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Shiseido careers portal
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in key account management and the beauty industry
- Prepare for the interview by researching Shiseido's brand portfolio and understanding the competitive landscape in the Hong Kong retail market
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
