Director Retail Operations (confidential)

The organisation (confidential), office base Netherlands/Randstad

Our client is a large-scale, consumer-facing organisation with a significant physical footprint in the Benelux. The business operates in a market where trust, repeat engagement and consistency of execution are critical to long-term success.

The organisation is entering a next phase of development, shifting from a predominantly functional operating model to one that is increasingly experience-led, standardised and performance-driven. A key focus is the quality and consistency of customer interaction across its network, supported by stronger governance, clearer standards and a more distinctive proposition at the point of engagement.

The leadership agenda centres on:

• raising the quality and uniformity of the customer-facing environment,
• strengthening the role of frontline teams as knowledgeable advisors,
• increasing the attractiveness and relevance of the network to drive traffic and engagement, and
• enabling sustainable growth through disciplined execution and selective optimisation.

The context is complex and multi-layered, combining scale, operational intensity and an evolving organisational culture. Success depends on strong leadership, clarity of direction and the ability to translate strategy into consistent execution across a distributed organisation.

We are currently looking for a

Vacancy: Retail director (Benelux) - MT

The role (Management Team)

As Retail Director, you are a member of the Management Team and report directly to the Managing Director. You lead retail performance in the Benelux with three clear priorities:

1. generate more store traffic (more visitors and higher relevance),
2. deliver a tangible upgrade of the in-store experience, and
3. ensure zero-compromise execution of store standards in every store, every day.

You manage 4 direct reports (regional managers and the office team) and work closely with Marketing, Commercial, Supply Chain/Distribution and Property to deliver growth.

The upgrade: stores that truly come alive

This upgrade goes beyond look & feel. It primarily means: from store associate to trusted advisor. Store teams become visibly stronger at listening, asking the right questions and providing personalised advice-so customers feel welcome and confident they are making the right choices. The store “comes alive”: with energy on the floor, compelling product and wellbeing stories, active in-store moments and consistently premium merchandising.

What you will do

• Build a traffic engine for stores: together with Marketing/Commercial you translate proposition and campaigns into store impact (in-store activation, local execution, seasonal moments, community/CRM, cross-channel).
• Raise store standards and, most importantly, create discipline in rollout, training, control and sustained execution (cadence, audits, coaching, follow-up, and clear accountability).
• Elevate the advisory role in stores: with HR/Training you develop an approach to consultative selling, product knowledge and service behaviour-and you make it measurable in daily operations.
• Make every store “come alive”: visible energy, active floor coaching, inspiring merchandising and in-store storytelling that draws customers in and keeps them engaged.
• Lead your direct reports: performance management, talent development and a strong, predictable management cadence.
• Partner with Property/Operations to accelerate refits and improvement programmes to optimise look & feel and store workflow.
• Ensure availability and logistics support store standards (in-stock, planograms, merchandising quality).

What success looks like in the first 12 months (indicative)

• Traffic uplift and higher conversion through consistent in-store activation and stronger advisory capability.
• Measurable improvement in store standards (audits/mystery guest) and a recognisable premium experience across the entire network.
• A clear step-change in advisory behaviours on the shop floor (coaching, training, routines) and a culture where service and execution are non-negotiable.

What's the perfect fit?

• A senior multi-site retail leader with proven results in growing traffic, uplifting standards, and building a strong shop-floor culture.
• A strong people leader who can help teams shift to advice-led retail (coaching, clear, consistent).
• Strategic and hands-on: you set direction and make it happen in store-through cadence, follow-up and discipline.