Head of Retail Operations

Head of Retail Operations – Middle East

Location: Dubai, UAEIndustry: Fashion & LifestyleCoverage: GCC / Middle East

Employment Type: Full-TimeAbout the RoleSELECTED RECRUITMENT is partnering with a leading international consumer brand to recruit an experienced Head of Retail Operations to oversee its retail operations across the Middle East.This is a senior leadership opportunity within an established global organisation, with responsibility for driving commercial performance, operational excellence and strategic growth across a regional network of retail stores and franchise partners.The successful candidate will take ownership of regional retail performance, working closely with franchise partners and internal stakeholders to maximise profitability, strengthen operational standards and identify opportunities for expansion.We are particularly interested in speaking with experienced retail leaders from the sportswear, footwear, fashion and lifestyle sectors who have a strong understanding of the GCC retail landscape.Key ResponsibilitiesLead regional retail operations across the Middle East, ensuring strong commercial and operational performance.Take ownership of sales performance, profitability, budgets and key retail KPIs across the franchise store network.Manage and develop relationships with franchise partners, ensuring alignment with commercial objectives and operational standards.Drive retail strategy, identifying opportunities for network expansion, new store openings and market development.Oversee retail buying, merchandise planning, inventory management and demand forecasting.Monitor store performance, stock levels, sell-through rates and profitability, implementing improvements where required.Lead promotional and pricing strategies to maximise revenue and maintain brand positioning.Establish consistent operational procedures and customer experience standards across the retail network.Lead, coach and develop retail and merchandising teams, building a high-performance culture.Work closely with regional and global stakeholders across Finance, Marketing, Merchandising and Supply Chain.Conduct regular business reviews with franchise partners and provide commercial recommendations to senior leadership.Monitor competitor activity, consumer behaviour and market trends to identify opportunities for continued growth.Candidate Requirements12+ years of experience within retail, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership position.Previous experience as a Head of Retail, Retail Director, Regional Retail Manager or equivalent.Extensive experience managing multi-store retail operations across multiple GCC markets.Strong preference for candidates from sportswear, footwear, fashion or lifestyle retail backgrounds.Proven experience managing franchise partnerships and driving performance across regional retail networks.Strong commercial understanding of retail P&L, budgeting, forecasting and profitability.Hands-on experience in buying, merchandising, inventory management and demand forecasting.Excellent knowledge of the GCC retail landscape, including shopping malls, landlords, consumer behaviour and regional market dynamics.Demonstrable experience leading and developing high-performing retail teams.Previous involvement in new store openings, retail expansion and network development would be advantageous.Strong analytical capabilities and experience using retail performance data to support commercial decisions.Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Retail Management or a related discipline.Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.Fluency in English is essential; Arabic would be advantageous.The OpportunityThis is an opportunity to join a well-established international business with a significant presence across the Middle East.The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping regional retail strategy, strengthening franchise partnerships and driving the continued growth and performance of the retail network.The position is based in Dubai, with regular travel across GCC markets.We are looking for an experienced, commercially minded retail leader who combines strategic thinking with a hands-on approach to operational management.To ApplyIf you have extensive experience leading retail operations across the GCC and are interested in exploring a senior leadership opportunity with an international brand, please apply directly through LinkedIn or contact SELECTED RECRUITMENT for a confidential conversation.Let’s Get You #SELECTED