At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead retail operations across EMEA, driving strategy and execution for a high-quality retail experience.
- Company: Join WSA, a global leader in innovative hearing aids and health services.
- Benefits: Inclusive culture, diverse team, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on consumer access and retail excellence across multiple countries.
- Qualifications: Significant retail operations experience and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
Driven by the ambition to expand consumer access and create a consistent, high-quality retail experience across EMEA, WSA is continuing to strengthen and develop its retail organisation.
The Director, Retail Operations, EMEA plays a key role in turning our retail strategy into action.
Working closely with General Managers and their leadership teams across the region, you will help standardise ways of working, strengthen store execution and drive sustainable, profitable growth.
This role is open across multiple locations in EMEA.
What You Will Do
The role combines retail strategy, operational excellence and hands-on execution.
You will work across countries and functions to simplify and strengthen the way we operate, while ensuring that global standards are effectively adopted in local markets.
- Retail Operations & Standardisation
- Lead the annual Retail Framework assessment and maturity development across EMEA.
- Identify and prioritise key operational initiatives and drive their successful implementation across markets.
- Support the implementation and standardisation of global retail processes, training and Retail Experience programmes.
- Use commercial and operational data to identify opportunities, set priorities and improve performance.
- Develop and drive adoption of retail playbooks supporting new store openings, renovations, renegotiations and closures.
- Strategy & Transformation
- Translate EMEA retail strategy into clear, actionable initiatives and support their execution across countries.
- Work closely with country leadership teams to drive change and embed new ways of working.
- Support M&A due diligence, assessing operational risks and opportunities for future integration.
- Contribute to annual business planning and budgeting in partnership with key stakeholders and Finance.
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Build strong relationships with General Managers, country leadership teams and Group functions.
- Influence and align stakeholders in a matrix organisation without relying on direct line management.
- Bring different perspectives and ways of working together around common priorities.
- Communicate with clarity and simplicity, turning complex topics into practical actions.
Experience
What you bring
- Significant experience in retail operations, ideally within a large-scale or international organisation.
- Proven track record of delivering business transformation and change across multiple countries or complex markets.
- Strong operational and commercial acumen, with a track record of improving performance and profitability.
- Experience working in a matrix organisation and influencing senior stakeholders without direct authority.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn data into actionable insights.
- Personal competencies
- Strategic thinker who is equally comfortable rolling up their sleeves and driving execution.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to adapt to different markets and audiences.
- Curious, resilient and collaborative, with a pragmatic approach to getting things done.
- Able to simplify complexity, create focus and bring people together around common goals.
- Comfortable working in an international environment with different perspectives and ways of working.
Who We Are
At WSA, we provide innovative hearing aids and hearing health services.
Together with our 12,000 colleagues in 130 countries, we invite you to help unlock human potential by bringing back hearing for millions of people around the world.
With us, you will become part of a truly global company where we care for one another, welcome diversity and celebrate our successes.
Sounds wonderful? We can't wait to hear from you.
WSA is an equal-opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive employee experience for all.
Regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, we firmly believe that our work is at its best when everyone feels free to be their most authentic self.
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Director, Retail Operations, EMEA in Chester employer: WSA – Wonderful Sound for All
WSA – Wonderful Sound for All in Chester is an exceptional employer that prioritises a collaborative work culture and values employee contributions. With a strong focus on professional growth, we offer comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that our team members thrive in their roles while delivering outstanding service to our customers. Join us in a dynamic environment where your efforts directly impact customer satisfaction and operational excellence.
Contact Details:
WSA – Wonderful Sound for All Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Retail Operations, EMEA in Chester
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like WSA – Wonderful Sound for All, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like WSA – Wonderful Sound for All!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Retail Operations, EMEA in Chester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at WSA – Wonderful Sound for All, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at WSA – Wonderful Sound for All and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show WSA – Wonderful Sound for All that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at WSA – Wonderful Sound for All
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
