Manager Retail Operations Excellence- EM at adidas Group

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization

• This role owns workforce management and scheduling excellence across the Own Retail channel, with a strong focus on hands on labour planning, scheduling efficiency, payroll control, and productivity improvement.
• In addition, the role supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of retail operational standards, tools, compliance, and BOH operational excellence, ensuring consistent execution of EM and global retail programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead & own Workforce Optimization programs, including payroll planning, labour forecasting, and scheduling efficiency across 18 countries throughout the Emerging Markets territories.
• Drive hands-on implementation, adoption, and continuous improvement of workforce management tools (UKG or Similar tools) across Own Retail.
• Lead strategic headcount planning to ensure the right staffing levels across departments.
• Train, coach & support Local teams to ensure effective use of workforce tools and processes.
• Analyse payroll, productivity, and scheduling data to generate actionable insights and improvement plans.
• Drive process excellence initiatives to improve workforce efficiency and reduce operational costs.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Retail Operations, and Cluster teams to optimize labour deployment and support business needs.
• Manage vendor relationships and support enhancements to workforce systems and digital tools.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of retail operational standards, tools, and compliance processes.
• Lead retail operations projects end-to-end, from assessment and planning to implementation and measurement.
• Equip clusters with updated operational guidelines, tools, training materials, and compliance documentation.
• Monitor operational excellence initiatives using data-driven KPIs and ensure consistent adoption across markets.
• Act as the EM subject matter expert for workforce management and retail operational excellence, promoting practical best practice sharing grounded in store execution.
• Drive BOH operational excellence, including inventory accuracy, stockroom standards, deliveries, replenishment, and digital enablers (RFID, BINS).

Key Relationships

• Regional & Cluster Retail Operations Teams
• Global DTC Operations & Global Retail Operations
• HR, Finance, Merchandising, SCM, Store Development, Real Estate, IT
• Legal & Internal Control
• VM & Marketing

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expertise in retail operations & process improvement, and workforce management
• Hands on expertise in retail workforce management, scheduling, payroll control, and productivity analysis
• Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills
• Strong project management from planning to execution and measurement
• High influencing ability across global and remote environments
• Excellent planning, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills
• Innovative mindset with proven adoption of new tools and processes
• Advanced MS Office proficiency (Excel, PowerPoint, Project); MS Access a plus
• Fluent in English; additional languages an advantage
• Ability to influence and engage multi‑cultural teams in a remote working environment 

Requisite Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in retail operations or workforce management.
• Minimum 4–5 years of retail operations experience with direct exposure to labour scheduling, payroll planning, or workforce productivity management.
• 5+ years Retail Store Operations experience strongly preferred.
• Experience leading change, training, and influencing cross-functional teams.
• Experience in Sports / Fashion / FMCG industries preferred.
• Retail Store Management experience is an advantage.