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.