Retail Operations and Business Development Manager

Ask & Embla is seeking a strategic and hands-on Retail Operations and Business Development Lead to define, build, and launch our physical store channel, beginning with Singapore. This is a new role requiring an entrepreneurial mindset, serving as the primary executor responsible for establishing the operational backbone and delivering our first flagship locations, setting the foundation for future regional expansion.

What You'll Do:

A. Channel Strategy & Planning:

• Develop the comprehensive launch strategy for the physical retail channel, including initial store format, location targeting, and phased rollout plans.
• Collaborate closely with the Finance team to provide critical market and operational data required for building the retail channel's P&L and financial model.
• Define the core Key Performance Indicators for retail performance and establish the initial reporting and review structure to measure channel success.

B. End-to-End Store Launch Management:

• Lead the overall physical store launch process, from identifying and evaluating potential sites to securing real estate approval and managing lease negotiations.
• Act as the primary project manager for store fit-out and construction, coordinating designers, contractors, legal, and internal cross-functional teams to ensure on-time delivery and adherence to brand standards.
• Establish all foundational retail IT, logistics, and operational infrastructure required for the channel (e.g., POS systems, inventory flow, security).

C. Business Development & Partnerships:

• Forge strategic relationships with key external stakeholders, including landlords, mall operators, and local vendors, to secure optimal locations and support successful expansion.
• Identify, negotiate, and manage all third-party contracts for ongoing store support (e.g., maintenance, cleaning, security, facilities).

D. Operational Excellence & Scaling:

• Create a scalable playbook for future store openings across the region, documenting all procedures, vendor lists, and best practices.
• Oversee the initial hiring and training of the first in-store teams, ensuring they are prepared to execute the new operational standards.

Who You Are:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in business development, retail expansion, or a related field, with a strong emphasis on launching new business units or channels.
• Demonstrated ability to function as a hands-on, entrepreneurial leader and project manager in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Extensive experience with retail real estate due diligence, site selection, and negotiation in a major metropolitan market like Singapore.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects with challenging deadlines and budgets.
• Strong verbal and written communication, leadership, and influencing skills, capable of driving results through cross-functional teams and external partners.

Who We Are:

Ask & Embla is a rapidly growing alternative body jewelry brand based in Singapore with a collective following of more than 600,000 across our social media channels. As an e-commerce brand, we ship internationally to a diverse range of customers and we are proud to be one of the leading brands worldwide in the alternative jewelry space.

At Ask & Embla, we're passionate about creating a company that brings out the best in everyone and where individuals love to work and grow as a team. That means constantly learning and building new things, being flexible about how and where we work, and empowering each other to do the proudest work of our lives.

Ask & Embla, led by an ex-Googler and ex-Amazonian, has dozens of employees across multiple countries. We are building the foundation to expand several business verticals beyond e-commerce, while supporting existing business functions for fulfilling thousands of orders each month.

At Ask & Embla we learn and build fast together, sharing the purpose and passion of creating not just beautiful, expressive and sustainably-made jewelry, but a community that celebrates the misfits, the believers, the round pegs in square holes and everyone in between. Everyone deserves to own who they are; we create the jewelry so they can do it with pride.

Ready to Join Us

If you're a results-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply! Please submit your resume and a quick note expressing your interest in this position through this Linkedin posting.