Italy Retail Area Manager - Lead Stores & Growth

Columbia Sportswear Company; Pederobba; Remote; EUR 52,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meal vouchers

Discounts on products

LinkedIn Learning access

In-house training courses

DEI initiatives

Job summary

Columbia Sportswear Company is expanding its Italian retail network and is seeking a hands-on Retail Operations Manager Europe to drive performance across owned and partner stores. The role focuses on sales, profitability, and customer experience, leading Store Managers and coordinating openings across Italy.

Based in Italy with remote working option, the role requires deep knowledge of Italian retail dynamics, strong leadership, and the ability to travel across Italy to support 8+ stores and

Qualifications

• Solid experience as an Area Manager, District Manager, or similar multi-site retail leadership role in Italy.
• Proven track record managing owned and operated stores, ideally in fashion, outdoor, sporting goods or customer-focused retail.
• Strong experience managing KPIs, store budgets, and action plans to drive sales and profitability.
• Experience recruiting, coaching, and developing Store Managers and retail teams.
• Deep understanding of Italian retail dynamics and local people-management practices.
• Experience with franchisees or retail partners is an advantage, but not required.
• Experience in an international or matrix organization is a plus.
• Full professional proficiency in Italian and English.
• High mobility and willingness to travel throughout Italy.
• Valid driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Drive performance of the Italian retail network across owned and partner stores.
• Own sales, profitability, operational efficiency, and customer experience.
• Use KPIs and field insights to identify opportunities and turn them into action plans.
• Ensure consistent execution of Columbia’s retail standards across locations.
• Lead, coach, and develop Store Managers.
• Recruit and onboard Store Managers for new locations.
• Build strong teams capable of supporting growth in Italy.
• Support expansion of the retail network and launches of new stores.
• Coordinate pre-opening through ramp-up with internal teams and partners.
• Adapt European retail strategies to the Italian market realities.
• Build relationships with partner stores and wholesale/european teams.

Skills

Retail leadership

KPI management

People management

Travel readiness

Italian market knowledge

Job description

Columbia Sportswear Company is expanding its Italian retail network and is seeking a hands-on Retail Operations Manager Europe to drive performance across owned and partner stores. The role focuses on sales, profitability, and customer experience, leading Store Managers and coordinating openings across Italy.

Based in Italy with remote working option, the role requires deep knowledge of Italian retail dynamics, strong leadership, and the ability to travel across Italy to support 8+ stores and