Director Operations Retail Europe

Director Operations Retail Europe

SPEED & SPIRIT is what we look for in our candidates, defined by some simple values that inspire us to BE DRIVEN in our performance, BE VIBRANT in our sporting legacy, BE TOGETHER in our team spirit, and BE YOU to let our individual talent and experience shine. Applying for a job at PUMA is easy. Simply click APPLY ONLINE and follow the steps to upload your application.

At PUMA, every application is reviewed by real people who are committed to fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity - no matter your background, identity, or experience. To ensure our process stays true to these values, no automated systems or AI tools are used to make hiring decisions. Every decision is made by real people -with real judgment and accountability. We may use functions supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to carry out isolated organizational steps, such as scheduling interviews. These functions have no influence on decisions in the application process. We believe in creating spaces where everyone is welcome, celebrated, and empowered to contribute authentically. Because at PUMA, whoever wants to play, can play.

Key Responsibilities

Retail Performance & KPI Governance

• Own the definition, tracking, and governance of core retail KPIs across all European stores (e.g. sales, conversion, traffic, sales per hour, productivity, labor efficiency)
• Define Sales per Hour (SPH) and productivity targets by store grade, format, and country; monitor performance and drive corrective actions
• Establish standardized performance dashboards, reporting cadence, and review routines with Regional and Store Leadership
• Ensure transparency, consistency, and accuracy of retail performance data across markets

Operational Standards, Policies & Procedures

• Own retail policy and procedure governance, ensuring clear documentation, compliance, and regular updates
• Drive consistent implementation of operational standards across stores while allowing for necessary market-specific adaptations
• Ensure stores operate in compliance with legal, audit, health & safety, and brand requirements
• Act as escalation point for operational risks, compliance gaps, and execution issues

Store Execution & Productivity

• Translate commercial and operational strategy into clear store execution frameworks
• Partner with Regional Retail Directors and Store Operations teams to improve in-store execution, labor deployment, and service levels
• Identify and drive initiatives to improve store productivity, efficiency, and customer experience
• Ensure operational readiness for peak trading periods, campaigns, and key commercial moments
• Own the continuous development of retail tools, including POS systems, workforce management, and operational platforms
• Lead projects to enhance POS functionality, data quality, usability, and integration with other retail systems
• Identify operational pain points and translate them into tool, processes, or system improvements
• Act as business owner for retail operations requirements in IT and digital projects

Performance Improvement Projects

• Initiate and lead cross-functional projects aimed at elevating retail performance, efficiency, and scalability
• Pilot new tools, processes, and concepts; evaluate impact and roll out successful initiatives across Europe
• Track project ROI and performance impact against defined success metrics

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in Retail Operations, Store Operations, or a related operational leadership role
• Proven track record in governance of policies, procedures, and operational standards within a multi‑market or multi‑store retail environment
• Experience working closely with Retail Directors, Store Managers, and cross‑functional operational teams
• Demonstrated success in store productivity, commercial execution, and process optimization
• Hands‑on experience with retail systems, including POS, workforce management, and operational tools
• Experience acting as a business owner or key stakeholder for IT, digital, or system‑related projects
• Strong understanding of retail operations systems, including POS functionality, data flow, and system integrations
• Ability to analyze operational data, identify gaps, and make data‑driven recommendations for improvement
• Excellent ability to translate strategy into practical operational frameworks and store execution guidelines
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to partner across regions, functions, and levels

PUMA provides equal opportunities for all job applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Equality for all is one of the core principles at PUMA and we do not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination.

PUMA is a global sports brand creating footwear, apparel, and accessories that inspire athletes and everyday movers. The PUMA Group owns PUMA, Cobra Golf, and stichd, operates in 120+ countries, and has around 22,000 employees worldwide.

The PUMA corporate Headquarters are located in Herzogenaurach or Herzo, as we like to call our hometown, located in southern Germany close to Nuremberg. Every day, more than 1000 colleagues walk through our doors, ready to push sport and fashion forward. And if you’re lucky, you just might run into Usain Bolt or Antoine Griezmann walking down the hall.