Senior Wholesale Operations Manager

Rapha launched in 2004 to redefine cycling apparel. Today progressive design and storytelling has built a global movement.

We love cycling in all its forms, from the city streets to the highest peaks. And we know its power to transform lives. Led by innovation, we embody this love through a dedication to the world's greatest sport, by setting a new standard in design and pushing the cutting edge of performance and human craft.

Rapha Wholesale builds upon Rapha’s global brand positioning and awareness through strategic partnerships in existing and new territories. The Wholesale channel along with Rapha’s Clubhouses play a key role in making the broader Rapha community a place of inclusion, on and off the bike.

The Role

We are looking for a Senior Wholesale Operations Manager who has experience in a similar role and has a commercial and customer centric mindset with strong people skills.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of a small Wholesale Operations team, providing guidance to team members to ensure that they are working proactively, prioritise effectively, are customer-minded and always strive for operational excellence. It is a hard working, ambitious team who work collaboratively across Rapha.

It's an incredibly exciting time to join our Wholesale department! We are embarking on a significant journey of growth and process optimisation, including a focus on omnichannel alignment and brand repositioning. We're looking for a passionate individual to contribute to our continued success!

This role will be based at our London HQ and reports to the Wholesale Director, working closely with the Senior Wholesale Commercial Manager.

Key Responsibilities

Relationships

• Build effective working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

• Elevate wholesale partner touchpoints alongside a streamlined B2B (business-to-business) partner journey.

• Manage all contract administration

• Play a key part in new account/territory openings, including liaising with Logistics and Finance teams.

• Champion internal and external wholesale communication, keeping partners informed and engaged and driving revenue

Strategy and Commercial Awareness

• Provide seasonal order book and operational team reporting, including risk monitoring and red flag reporting.

• Lead the wholesale operations strategy to drive efficiency, maximise revenue opportunities and champion a customer focus mindset

• Oversee and support the Credit Control team with aged debt risk.

• Manage the wholesale department cost centre by conducting monthly budget reviews, addressing variances, highlighting upcoming spend and leading accurate annual forecasting.

Operational Excellence & Delivery

• Ensure the team’s SLA’s are adhered to in a timely manner, and raise opportunities and risks accordingly.

• Ensure key accounts are prioritised at all times

• Identify and eliminate obstacles, repetition and manual tasks to create more efficient workflows.

• Evolve technology and data to gain insights, optimise resources, automate tasks and reduce partner friction.

• Works closely with the Senior Wholesale Commercial Manager on a critical path that ensures right stock/right time by partner tier.

• Deliver on go to market requirements for wholesale partners, alongside the Wholesale Marketing Manager, as part of the omni channel strategy.

People

• Continuously develop the Operations team talent, ensuring the team are engaged, motivated and have clear development plans

About you

Candidates may possess the following skills. We’re open to a wide variety of backgrounds and skill sets which may fulfill the requirements in a similar way.

• 10+ years experience in operational roles, including a team management position

• Previous experience in a B2B or B2C environment is ideal (Wholesale, Franchise, Retail)

• Strong relationship / stakeholder management skills

• Demonstrated commercial acumen and a solution-oriented approach

• Analytical and numerically literate, with an inquisitive eye for detail

• Strong communication skills

• Working at pace with a team, bringing flexibility and adaptability

• Google Suit, Microsoft Office Suit knowledge, ideally previous experience

Working at Rapha

We are continuously looking into ways to invest in our employees and build a better working culture and environment. Here are just some of the internal benefits we offer:

• Flexible working hours
  
• Support for ad-hoc remote working during the week - minimum 4 days in office
• 25 days annual leave
• 2 additional days paid time off to participate in a sportive or similar related cycling event
• A flexible riding benefit to allow you to go out riding on a Wednesday morning with colleagues or learn to cycle through our Getting Started Scheme
• An annual clothing allowance of £1,120 for testing and promotional purpose
• A company bonus scheme
• A health cash plan provided by Healthshield worth up to £1405 per year
• Mental health support with MyndUp
• Free barista coffee and social drinks in the office
• Subsidised lunches 3 days per week
• Monthly department social events and quarterly office social away days
• Bike racing expenses up to £35 per race entry
• A 50% staff discount and a discount for family and friends
• Industry discounts on brands such as Patagonia, Osprey, Finisterre, Wahoo
• Free membership to the Rapha Cycling Club
• Cycle2Work scheme
• Company Pension Scheme
• Enhanced Parental Leave and Pay