Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

Retail Operations are a key enabler to drive efficiency and productivity in Retail. This is done through developing and executing standardized processes in our stores FOH (Front of House), BOH (Back of House) as well as the Retail back-office. It also includes understanding, evaluating and optimizing all relevant in-store processes, workflows and systems by reviewing and standardizing tasks. Our team is responsible for optimizing workforce productivity, elevating inventory management solutions, simplifying operations and digitalizing workflows. Through innovation, training, and real-time insights, we empower our teams to translate adidas’ vision into memorable experiences across our retail footprint

The Director of Retail Operations is responsible and accountable for leading our team, defining future strategic focus areas and developments and ensuring the implementation of all relevant operational policies, procedures, initiatives and directives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define future retail systems, services and solutions with a focus on efficiency, productivity, simplification and digitalization
• Run process improvement projects and own the implementation. Drive the execution of key projects in operational efficiency
• Assess, define and build a holistic Workforce Management (Planning, Scheduling, Forecasting) approach for Retail Europe, leveraging demand-based forecasting and all relevant KPIs. Own the WFM system for Retail EU, implement in all countries and ensure frequent system/logic updates, improvements and extract relevant data insights.
• Further advance, leverage and optimize our inventory management systems and processes through state-of-the-art tools and technologies (e.g., RFID, Harmony, Merch360)
• Ensure the availability and business relevance of consumables, gift cards and shopping bags across our European retail stores. Formulate business cases and manage partnerships with external suppliers
• Oversee and manage all stock-related processes, e.g. annual stock takes, or cycle counts and together with internal Controls monitor and optimize shrinkage rates
• Improve communication to and from stores and support Retail Field Operations in the implementation of new retail operations processes and policies in all countries. Advise and support Franchise teams.
• Ensure compliance of our business with Global/European/local guidelines and standards
• Organize adequate change management, training and communication for our colleagues in stores
• Track, report and build insights around the results and key KPI’s of our retail projects and initiatives (Sales per Labour Hour (SPH), Stock Accuracy, On-Floor-Availability, Shrinkage, Efficiency KPI’s)
• Understand and then lead the consistent implementation of retail operations standards, audits, health & safety, internal control and loss prevention policies and procedures in compliance with Global and European retail operations policy and procedure foundations (SOM, House of Retail).
• Design and create control mechanisms and tools for Retail Field Operations and teams accordingly focusing on the consistent implementation and usage of all applications, programs, tools, projects in store to drive performance and continuous improvements.
• Manage and control the allocation of resources on projects and processes efficiently to maximize key commercial moments, events and product launches.
• Build, develop and lead an effective Retail Operations team
• Create and drive a high-performance culture by:
  • Evaluating the competencies of team members on a regular basis; providing prompt feedback and guidance to drive high performance
  • Taking ownership for Talent Management processes to grow, develop and retain talents
  • Setting clear expectations and individual goals.
  • Translating company goals into team-specific actions and business plans. Control and monitor performance and results.
• Provide regular input for the Retail back office and SLT and collaborate with different back-office functions to achieve high levels of compliance within store operations while delivering sales & brand ambitions.
• Act as an active partner in feedback loops with retail back-office functions and stakeholders within assigned projects to be the regular voice of consumer and stores for improvement of retail operations with focus on efficiencies in non-consumer-facing activities
• Know how to set priorities in a high-pressure environment with tight deadlines and show the necessary resilience.
• Build and maintain an effective network with internal and external stakeholders           

Key Relationships:

• Retail Field Operations
• Retail Europe SLT Members
• EU Market TECH
• Global Counterparts (e.g. Global Retail, Product & Franchise Operations)
• Stakeholders from partner functions (e.g. Finance, Business Solutions, HR, Legal, Audit, Internal Control, Profit Protection)
• External stakeholders (from the industry, academics, consultancies, etc.) to drive innovation

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive experience in retail and the operation and management of physical stores
• Consumer-first mindset
• Experience with large-scale process improvement programs and complex retail systems (RFID, Workforce Management, In-Store Applications)
• Strategic mindset and project management skills
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong ability to collaborate and influence across different levels and departments, internally and externally.
• High level of business acumen and financial understanding
• Excellent communication skills including impactful presentation skills, business partnering and change management
• Problem-solving mindset & advanced numeracy and literacy with good IT skills
• Fluency in English (written and verbal)
• Ability to use critical thinking and creative ways to solve problems.
• Ability to make recommendations that effectively resolve challenging situations considering consistency with standards, practices, policies, and procedures.
• Comfortable working in a matrix organization and dynamic retail environment.
• Performance / results driven attitude, open to change and act as advocate for the ‘new’
• Open to feedback; able to keep composure in stressful situations.
• Well organized, agile and flexible in combining work & travel duties.
• Ability to travel, domestic or international, as required
• Passion for adidas brand/company brands, passion for sport.
• Proficient with MS applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and other computer software (Internet, POS Systems, etc)

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of ten years’ work experience in Retail and/or relevant back-office functions with a focus on retail operations, systems, services, digital solutions and process improvements (incl. Retail Field Operations)
• Proven track record of managing large-scale system setups (demand raising, business cases, budget management), rollouts and implementations
• Previous international experience desirable
• University degree in business, Retail, IT or equivalent relevant experience
• Teamplayer and performance/results driven mindset
• Experience in working with digital tools and systems