Field Operations Manager (Southern Germany)

At Van de Velde, we create premium lingerie brands that empower women to feel confident every day. As we continue to strengthen our retail footprint in Germany, we are looking for a hands-on and analytical Field Operations Manager to lead, support and develop our network of stores and shop leaders.

This is a highly visible role for someone who thrives in the field, enjoys combining people leadership with data-driven decision-making, and is energized by solving operational challenges in a dynamic retail environment.

At the same time, you will act as a brand ambassador for Marie Jo, Primadonna and Sarda.

Requirements

As Field Operations Manager, you will oversee a network of several retail stores and concession & consignment locations across Germany. You will be responsible for driving operational excellence, supporting store performance and ensuring our teams deliver an exceptional customer experience.

You are not someone who manages stores from behind a desk. You build strong relationships in the field, spend significant time in our locations and understand what is happening on the shop floor.

What you'll do

Drive store performance

• Monitor and report on sales, KPIs and operational performance on a weekly basis.

• Analyze trends and translate numbers into actionable insights.

• Challenge and coach Store Managers and stylists to understand the story behind the results.

• Identify opportunities, risks and improvement areas and ensure concrete action plans are implemented.

• Create a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement.

• Optimize omnichannel consumer experience

• Drive local consumer recruitment

Lead and develop teams

• Coach, support and develop Store Managers and shop staff.

• Organize regular performance and best-practice meetings across the network.

• Maintain close contact with the teams and create strong engagement despite geographical distance.

• Act as a trusted sparring partner while also challenging teams when needed.

• Manage, coordinate & support recruitment, onboarding, performance management and employee development.

• Coordinate and facilitate product, sales and consumer journey training programs in partnership with the Van de Velde Academy

• Reassuring compliance with Van de Velde policies and procedures

Ensure operational excellence

• Be present in stores to understand customer behavior, operational challenges and local realities.

• Optimize staffing levels and workforce planning across the network.

• Manage complex scheduling challenges, including holiday coverage and temporary staffing needs.

• Identify operational bottlenecks and coordinate solutions with internal stakeholders.

• Ensure consistency and structure across a multi-channel retail environment.

• Optimize implementation on Visual Merchandising and product presentation guidelines and collaborate on optimized store layouts

• Collaborate on stock and inventory management through follow-up on stocklevels, organization of stock counts and implementation of price changes.

• Implementation of retail marketing campaigns and follow up on local marketing initiatives such as store events, local partnerships and social media activations in collaboration with Trade / Retail marketing team.

Support new store openings

• Play an active role in the launch and operational setup of new brand stores and Shop in the Shops.

• Support projects from preparation through to successful opening and ongoing operations.

What you bring

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

• Around 10 years of professional experience, ideally gained in retail operations.

• At least 5 years of experience in people management.

• Experience managing performance through KPIs, reporting and commercial analysis.

• Strong understanding of omnichannel retail operations, workforce planning and store processes.

• Passionate about fashion intimates.

• Tech savvy with retail systems and IT.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Fluent German and strong English language skills.

• Willingness to travel extensively across Southern Germany, including frequent overnight stays. 

• Ideally, you live in the Frankfurt–Nürnberg–Stuttgart region

Who you are