Manager, VM Operations (Own Retail)

adidas; Gurugram District; On-site; INR 1,400,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

adidas is seeking a Visual Merchandising Operations lead (OR) to manage the backend, operational, and coordination layer of VM across Own Retail stores in India. You will ensure planning, governance, and reporting for all VM initiatives and serve as the bridge between creative VM teams, stores, vendors, merchandising, and retail operations.

You will own VM calendars, backend workflows, SOPs, vendor coordination, budgeting, data governance, and KPI tracking to secure timely store-level execution.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of experience in operational roles within retail.
• Strong operational and project management skills with execution discipline.
• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple timelines.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and govern VM initiatives across Own Retail stores.
• Own VM calendars, rollout trackers, and store-level execution schedules.
• Manage VM backend workflows, SOPs, and documentation; coordinate with vendors.
• Support budgeting, cost control, and commercial processes for VM.
• Track KPIs, compile dashboards, and support governance and insights.

Skills

Operational skills

Project management

Attention to detail

Coordination

PO & invoicing

Process orientation

Follow-up & ownership

Multi-stakeholder management

Job description

The Visual Merchandising Operations (OR) role is responsible for managing the entire backend, operational, and coordination layer of Visual Merchandising. This position ensures seamless planning, execution support, governance, and reporting for all VM initiatives across all Own Retail stores.

The role acts as the bridge between creative VM teams, stores, vendors, merchandising and retail operations, ensuring timelines, budgets, and standards are met efficiently.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. VM Planning & Execution Support

• Support annual, seasonal, and campaign-based VM planning across formats.
• Own VM calendars, rollout trackers, store-wise implementation schedules, and execution readiness
• Coordinate VM rollouts across regions and ensure timely execution at store level with the regional VM execution team.
• Track VM implementation status and flag risks or delays proactively

2. Backend Operations & Process Management

• Own all VM backend workflows, SOPs, and documentation
• Ensure VM guidelines, planograms, and toolkits are accurately shared with VM execution teams
• Maintain centralized repositories for VM assets, manuals, and execution guides
• Standardize VM processes to improve operational efficiency and scalability
• Coordinate with VM vendors for fabrication, printing, installation, and logistics
• Manage vendor timelines, POs, invoices, and delivery schedules in collaboration with procurement/finance
• Track vendor performance, costs, and service quality
• Support vendor onboarding and compliance processes

4. Budgeting & Commercial Control

• Support VM budget planning, tracking, and cost control
• Monitor spend against approved budgets and highlight variances
• Raise POs, track invoices, and ensure timely closure of commercial processes
• Create cost efficiency reports and recommendations for optimization

5. Data, Reporting & Governance

• Act as the single point of contact for store VM operations queries
• Support troubleshooting during VM rollout and post-installation
• Capture store feedback and execution challenges for improvement
• Track VM execution KPIs (coverage, compliance, timelines, costs)
• Compile VM performance dashboards and post-campaign reports
• Maintain audit and compliance trackers for VM execution
• Support leadership with insights on execution quality and process gaps

7. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with
• VM execution team
• VM planning teams
• Retail Operations
• Ensure alignment between creative intent and operational feasibility

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

8-10 years of experience

Core Skills

• Strong operational and project management skills
• High attention to detail and execution discipline
• Excellent coordination and stakeholder management ability
• Familiarity with PO, invoicing, and commercial processes
• Structured and process-oriented mindset
• Strong follow-up and ownership mindset
• Ability to manage multiple timelines and stakeholders
• Solutions-oriented and execution-focused

AT ADIDAS WE HAVE A WINNING CULTURE. BUT TO WIN, PHYSICAL POWER IS NOT ENOUGH. JUST LIKE ATHLETES OUR EMPLOYEES NEED MENTAL STRENGTH IN THEIR GAME. WE FOSTER THE ATHLETE’S MINDSET THROUGH A SET OF BEHAVIORS THAT WE WANT TO ENABLE AND DEVELOP IN OUR PEOPLE AND THAT ARE AT THE CORE OF OUR UNIQUE COMPANY CULTURE: THIS IS HOW WE WIN WHILE PLAYING FAIR.

• COURAGE:Speak up when you see an opportunity; step up when you see a need..
• OWNERSHIP:Pick up the ball. Be proactive, take responsibility and follow-through.
• INNOVATION: Elevate to win. Be curious, test and learn new and better ways of doing things.
• TEAMPLAY: Win together. Work collaboratively and cultivate a shared mindset.
• INTEGRITY: Play by the rules. Hold yourself and others accountable to our company’s standards.
• RESPECT: Value all players. Display empathy, be inclusive and show dignity to all.

At adidas, we strongly believe that embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into our culture and talent processes gives our employees a sense of belonging and our brand a real competitive advantage.

Culture Starts With People, It Starts With You

By recruiting talent and developing our people to reflect the rich diversity of our consumers and communities, we foster a culture of inclusion that engages our employees and authentically connects our brand with our consumers.