Associate Director, Sales, Salon

Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people's lives with our high quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all - a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment.

As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values we pride ourselves to be listed among the World's Most Ethical Companies since 16 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do - acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation and treating each other with trust and respect.

Location: Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane (Frequent Domestic & some International Travel)

Join an Industry Leader in Professional Haircare

Kao Salon Division is home to globally recognized brands like Goldwell, Oribe, Kerasilk, and KMS—powerhouses in the professional haircare industry. With a strong existing market presence and an evolving strategy for future growth, we are seeking a dynamic Associate Director, Sales, Salon to drive sales, lead high-performing teams, and execute commercial strategies across Australia.

About the Role

• Lead & Develop a High-Performing Sales Team: Inspire and coach a results-driven commercial team to exceed sales targets and expand market presence.
• Drive Strategic Sales & Business Growth: Execute strong commercial strategies, close high-value agreements, and drive market expansion across independent and chain salons.
• Deliver Data-Driven Sales & Forecasting: Manage P&L, oversee forecasting, and optimize financial performance.
• Expand Distribution & E-Commerce Presence: Strengthen distributor partnerships and accelerate e-commerce growth.
• Leverage Social Media & Content Marketing: Integrate digital strategies to drive engagement, lead generation, and brand presence in the salon industry.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner with Education, Marketing, and Channel teams to enhance salon business success.
• Lead & Develop Commercial Management Team: Support Regional Sales Managers, the Country Manager, and the Wholesale/Retail & Concierge Manager in coaching and developing in-field teams. Ensure alignment with commercial objectives and drive consistent sales execution across all channels.

What we are looking for

• Proven Sales Leadership: 10+ years in professional salon, beauty, or related industries, with at least 5 years leading commercial teams.
• Strategic & Commercial Acumen: Expertise in closing sales agreements, executing high-impact commercial strategies, and driving business development.
• Social Media & Digital Savvy: Strong ability to integrate content marketing, social media, and e-commerce into sales growth strategies.
• Financial & Forecasting Expertise: Strong background in sales forecasting, P&L management, and revenue optimization.
• Distributor & Market Expansion Experience: Proven success in managing distributors, expanding market share, and launching growth initiatives.
• Leadership & Influence: A track record of inspiring, coaching, and developing high-performing sales teams.
• Willingness to Travel: Based in Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane, with frequent domestic travel, plus some international travel.

Why Kao Salon Division?

At Kao Salon Division, we believe in empowering our people, embracing creativity, and driving meaningful innovation. We are committed to fostering a culture where collaboration and leadership go hand in hand, ensuring that our salon partners and teams succeed together. If you're looking for a role where you can make a real impact, work with world-class brands, and be part of a values-driven company, this is your opportunity.

Ready to take the next step? Apply now and be part of our growth story.

How we work: Having been selected among the World´s Most Ethical Companies for 19 consecutive years, we are a company with a purpose and strong corporate values. We never compromise on quality and create our products with care for the consumer and the environment. At Kao, each employee can shape their job and their career. We work collaboratively to achieve our common goals, always aiming to deliver the best for our customers.

What we offer: A friendly and flexible work environment with great compensation packages, benefits package including paid parental leave, company paid wellbeing days, and volunteer leave, ongoing development and the opportunity to enhance your skills and deliver tangible results. At Kao your voice will be heard. Your opinion really counts. We believe that change comes from taking opportunities into your own hands, so we value and reward entrepreneurial thinking and new ideas.

Hiring Process: Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong.

Want to learn more: If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to find out why 33,000 people across the globe opted for a career with us please visit our Americas website (https://www.kao.com/americas/en/).