Manager Retail Operations - Workforce Optimization - EM at adidas Group

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

The role is responsible for the optimization of Retail workforce, PEX, and Retail Store KPIs across Emerging Markets, ensuring efficient processes are in place to maximize business performance across Own Retail and supporting our franchise business partners with appropriate guidance and sharing best practices. Act as a support lead for the Senior Manager DTC Excellence EM, when required.

This role will also lead and support the implementation of Back-of-House (BOH) operational efficiencies across Emerging Markets and ensure all adidas Operations standards are implemented and enhanced when the opportunity arises.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Review and consult EM Retail Teams store payroll budgeting, employee scheduling, and forecasting tools/processes to improve operational efficiency and employee productivity.
• Lead the implementation of Workforce Optimization programs to drive efficiencies in staff scheduling and payroll management.
• Consult the business on store payroll expenses by reviewing the annual budget and working with business partners to maximize productivity across retail.
• Oversee the proper and consistent use of store scheduling tools to ensure the right person is in the right place at the right time.
• Champion the goals of operational programs and services and share suitable data and updates with the business leadership.
• Facilitate training and coaching for stakeholders/users and set goals for the team in line with business strategy.
• Establish consistent communication avenues for programs to support understanding and adoption business-wide.
• Identify and develop a set of performance measurements with the team based on strategic goals to measure the continued adoption of processes and programs.
• Lead vendor management and seek new opportunities for innovation to better the business.
• Communicate regularly with business leaders to identify challenges, successes, and future opportunities.  
• Define the foundations and lead the implementation of BOH efficiency/excellence programs in retail stores and support our franchise business when necessary.
• Oversee the implementation of operational processes and tools for stores including, but not limited to inventory management, stock accuracy, stock takes, Cycle counts, and other BOH operations (e.g., receiving deliveries, stockroom standards, store opening processes, replenishment, etc.)
• Align all relevant stakeholders on the standards of BOH.
• Lead the implementation of RFID, Bins, and future digital enhancement and ensure consistent executions across EM Retail stores. 
• Monitor business process performance to drive improvement and maximize profitability.
• Create best practices and address local challenges with cluster leads to enhance process improvements.

Key Relationships: 

• Back-office functions (including Store Development, Real Estate, Tech delivery Merchandising, SCM) 
• Finance 
• Retail Excellence and Operations teams
• Global Retail Operations
• VM & Marketing 
• HR.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Retail operations and process improvement.
• Ability to work effectively within a team environment.
• Strong analytical skills and an innovative thinker.
• Good planning, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to work and deliver in changing environments.
• Solid project management skills from initiation to implementation and measuring success. 
• Advanced user of MS Office suite of products.
• Fluent in English with additional languages an advantage.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Retail, Finance, or related field and a minimum of 4 years of directly relevant work experience. 
• +5 years' retail store operations experience required.
• Experience in leading and positively influencing a team.
• Retail Store management experience is preferred. 
• Franchise retail understanding preferred.
• Knowledge of MS Access is a strong plus.