Head of Beauty & Travel","@context":"http://schema.org","occupationalCategory":"Commercial

Where passion meets opportunity

The best of your adventures is the one you have yet to sail!

Your Purpose

The Head of Beauty & Travel is the global business owner for the Beauty and Travel categories across MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys.

The role is responsible for defining and executing the global category strategy for fragrances, skincare, makeup, cosmetics, tobacco, spirits, confectionery and other duty free products, delivering profitable growth while creating a compelling onboard shopping experience tailored to each cruise brand.

Working closely with Retail Operations, Planning, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, Training, Supply Chain and Finance, this role develops category strategies, builds strategic partnerships with leading global brands, and ensures world-class execution across all vessels.

The position combines strategic category leadership with strong commercial ownership, balancing premium beauty experiences, duty free retail dynamics and operational excellence.

Your Impact

• Own the global strategy for Beauty and Travel categories across MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys.
• Define category visions aligned with each cruise brand's positioning and guest expectations.
• Identify market trends, innovation opportunities and consumer behaviors to strengthen performance.
• Build balanced portfolios across luxury, premium, lifestyle and accessible brands.
• Develop long-term category roadmaps supporting fleet expansion, retail concepts and commercial growth.
• Deliver sales, gross margin and profitability targets.
• Monitor performance through KPI analysis and implement action plans to maximize results.
• Optimize pricing, promotions, assortment productivity and inventory performance.
• Lead forecasting and assortment planning with Demand Planning and Order Management.
• Improve productivity per SKU, brand, boutique and vessel.

Category, Product & Brand Partnerships

• Curate assortments adapted to guest demographics, itineraries, seasonality and cruise profiles.
• Manage the full product lifecycle from selection and launch to rationalization and end-of-life.
• Develop exclusive products, travel retail exclusives, gift sets, limited editions and onboard-only collections with key partners.
• Balance innovation with proven performers while ensuring assortment clarity and productivity.
• Optimize category architecture based on performance analytics and customer insights.
• Develop strategic relationships with leading global beauty, fragrance and duty free suppliers.
• Lead negotiations covering terms, promotional investments, exclusivities, launches and joint business plans.
• Identify and onboard new brands aligned with the Group's retail strategy.
• Conduct supplier performance reviews and identify business development and innovation opportunities.
• Represent MSC Group at trade fairs, supplier meetings and industry events.

Retail, Marketing & Commercial Excellence

• Define merchandising principles and category presentation standards across beauty and duty free retail environments.
• Partner with Visual Merchandising to create engaging experiences that drive discovery, trial and conversion.
• Support boutique concepts, newbuilds and refurbishments from a category perspective.
• Ensure execution reflects supplier brand guidelines and MSC Group retail standards.
• Enhance the guest journey through storytelling, product animation and experiential retail initiatives.
• Collaborate with Marketing on promotional calendars, seasonal campaigns and product launches.
• Drive in-store activations, sampling programs, beauty events and brand experiences to increase engagement.
• Support CRM and personalized marketing initiatives to strengthen loyalty and repeat purchases.
• Develop storytelling around hero products, innovations and exclusive collections.
• Partner with Retail Operations to maximize onboard commercial execution.
• Work with Planning and Order Management to ensure optimal availability while minimizing excess stock.
• Partner with Performance to monitor category profitability and investment performance.
• Work with cross-functional departments and stakeholders to ensure coordination, communication, alignment and execution.

Leadership

• Lead and develop the Beauty and Travel merchandising team.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Coach and mentor team members while building future talent and succession plans.
• Promote data-driven decisions balanced with consumer understanding and luxury retail excellence.

Your Journey so far

• 10+ years of experience in beauty, fragrance, cosmetics or duty free retail.
• Proven success managing international product categories within luxury retail, travel retail or omnichannel environments.
• Strong experience in category management, buying, assortment planning and supplier negotiations.
• Experience working with internationally recognized beauty, fragrance or FMCG brands.
• Experience in travel retail, airport retail or cruise retail is highly desirable.

Your Essentials

• Deep understanding of the global beauty, fragrance and duty free industries.
• Strong knowledge of consumer trends, innovation cycles and seasonal merchandising.
• Excellent commercial and financial acumen with strong analytical capabilities.
• Proven negotiation skills and ability to develop long-term strategic supplier partnerships.
• Strong understanding of merchandising, assortment architecture and inventory optimization.
• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to operate effectively within multicultural and international environments.
• Passion for delivering premium guest experiences through innovative retail concepts.
• Willingness to travel internationally.

Our commitment

We are committed to building a future that values diverse perspectives, embraces the world beyond borders, and fosters an inclusive environment where every individual feels valued, respected and empowered to be their authentic selves. Our commitment extends to taking meaningful, measurable actions that have a long-term positive impact on our guests, our employees and our planet.

Ready to turn your passion into something extraordinary? Join us at MSC Cruises, where new opportunities await. Apply today to be part of a global team that is pushing boundaries and achieving something remarkable. Your journey starts here!