Reports to
Industry Engagement Director
Direct reports
5 x Engagement Managers
This role leads GS1 UK’s largest and most commercially significant industry sector, with accountability for driving growth, adoption and strategic impact across the retail portfolio.
Accountabilities
GS1 UK enables retailers and brands to solve shared industry challenges through globally recognised identification and data standards. These standards underpin product visibility and trusted data accuracy across physical retail, ecommerce and marketplaces.
The role operates as part of a cross functional leadership team, collaborating with senior colleagues to ensure alignment between retail priorities and GS1 UK’s wider organisational strategy. This role will focus on 4 key priorities including:
- Driving adoption of next generation identification (GS1 QR) across UK retail, with a specific focus on priority apparel use cases
- Embedding GS1 standards within retail sustainability initiatives, including Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and traceability.
- Accelerating standards adoption across ecommerce and marketplaces, with deep engagement across retailers, brands and platform partners.
- Growing GS1 UK membership and revenue through targeted account development and new member acquisition, with apparel as a priority segment.
Build our reputation
- Act as the senior GS1 UK lead for the retail sector, owning and developing strategic relationships with major brands, retailers and industry bodies.
Champion needs and growth opportunities
- Shape the long term strategy for retail by translating sector needs into clear propositions, programmes and commercial opportunities.
- Identify and develop new business opportunities through deep understanding of apparel supply chains, product life-cycles and consumer expectations.
Strategic engagement
- Own a portfolio of strategic accounts with clear objectives, including growth, retention and long-term value.
- Convene and lead senior retail stakeholders to drive adoption of GS1 standards, including through the retail advisory board and pilot development.
Value proposition
- Develop and support the execution of go-to-market strategies (with industry) which deliver against key KPIs and milestones.
- Pursue opportunities for the adoption of our stands including raising awareness with key industry groups including government, retail media, key retail event.
Leadership
- Lead a cross functional team to ensure alignment with the retail priorities, taking accountability for the execution and delivery of the plan.
- Responsible for delivering agreed programmes and KPIs from the overall retail and GS1 UK operating plan.
- Member of the GS1 UK leadership team responsible for execution, corporate change and people development.
- Ensure management information accurately reflects sector progress and supports Executive decision making.
Essential
- Significant experience within the UK retail or brand environment, including understanding of apparel supply chains, product data and lifecycle management.
- Proven track record in account management, partnership development or business development within retail or ecommerce.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience identifying, developing and delivering growth opportunities.
- Deep knowledge of retail trends, including sustainability, traceability, ecommerce and marketplaces.
- Experience in the digital aspects of retail and how technology & innovations have evolved to meet the needs of consumers and businesses e.g. online, offline, ecommerce, marketplaces.
- Track record of working collaboratively within cross-functional teams to deliver against strategic plans.
Desirable
- Knowledge of GS1 systems and standards including basic product identification, transition to GS1 QR.
- Demonstrable proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications (e.g. Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) and cyber security awareness aligned with the UK Cyber Essentials framework, including secure working practices, threat recognition, and responsible data handling.
- Experienced operating as a peer leader within senior, cross functional leadership teams, contributing to collective outcomes and shared accountability.
- Comfortable working with ambiguity and creating clarity and providing direction for the team.
- Able to create and build long term relationships with diverse senior stakeholders across the industry.
- A natural leader with experience in leading virtual teams on large scale.
- Able to engage and communicate effectively with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
Why join us?
As a colleague at GS1 UK you will enjoy a supportive working environment along with a generous amount of benefits available to you.
A healthy work life balance (hybrid working with flexibility on start and finish times)
25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays) with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days every year
Join our social and charity team events
Generous pension scheme with employer contributions up to 12%
Life assurance policy (5x annual salary) to give you a peace of mind
Full range of benefits available (PMI, dental, travel, gym membership and many more)