Director, Retail Operations
Listed on 2026-03-01
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Management
Data Science Manager, Operations Manager
Brain Works has partnered with a $2B+ multi-state retail organization with more than 500 locations and 8,000+ employees to identify a Director, Retail Operations
. This highly visible role will serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, building and leading a centralized performance optimization function that translates enterprise-wide data into actionable operational insights. The Director will partner across Store Operations, Digital, Marketing, HR, and Finance to benchmark performance, identify high-impact improvement opportunities, and shape initiatives that drive operational excellence, innovation, and long-term growth. The ideal candidate brings deep retail performance expertise, strong analytical rigor, and the ability to influence executive decision-making through clear, data‑backed insights.
You’ll Do
- Build and lead the Performance Optimization function as a central hub for operational insights
- Analyze store and company performance to identify trends, patterns, and improvement opportunities
- Benchmark against industry best practices and leverage AI‑enabled market intelligence tools
- Monitor emerging retail and technology innovations, including labor optimization, predictive inventory, and personalization
- Deliver clear, executive‑ready insights and opportunity assessments that influence enterprise priorities
- Partner with operations and cross‑functional teams to validate feasibility and ensure data integrity
- Provide objective, data‑backed recommendations to shape high‑impact initiatives
- Brief senior leadership regularly on findings, competitive comparisons, and forward‑looking scenarios
- Guide and support team members conducting data analysis and opportunity exploration
- 10+ years of experience in retail operations, strategy, performance improvement, or business analytics
- Proven ability to translate complex data into strategic insights for senior leaders
- Experience with benchmarking, dashboard development, and external market analysis
- Deep understanding of retail performance levers including pricing, promotions, labor, throughput, and customer experience
- Familiarity with AI applications and emerging retail technologies
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to craft concise, executive‑level narratives
- Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred
- Strong analytical rigor and intellectual curiosity
- Strategic thinking grounded in operational realities
- Influence and stakeholder engagement at senior levels
- Results orientation with clarity and actionability
- Knowledge of evolving retail trends and technologies
- Ability to guide others in data analysis, process optimization, and technology evaluation
This is a rare opportunity to build a new enterprise capability within a large‑scale retail organization. The role offers executive visibility, cross‑functional influence, and the chance to shape a performance‑driven operating model that will meaningfully impact growth and competitive positioning.
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