Retail Operations Area Manager

Company Description Çilek Kids, founded in Türkiye in 1996, is one of the world's leading premium children's lifestyle brands, specializing in themed children's beds, gaming and study furniture, and a wide range of accessories designed to create inspiring living spaces for children. Today, the brand decorates the rooms of more than three million children and maintains a strong international presence with 2,000 employees, over 500 sales points across 50 countries on five continents. We are looking for a Retail Operations Area Manager to lead Çilek's retail operations in the United Arab Emirates, oversee new store openings, drive operational excellence, and support sustainable business growth. Position Purpose To establish, manage, and optimize retail operations across the United Arab Emirates. This role is responsible for identifying new store locations, managing store opening projects, ensuring operational excellence, maintaining brand standards, and delivering sustainable sales growth. The position will also work closely with the Head Office and cross-functional teams to support regional expansion. Key Responsibilities • Lead the establishment and operational management of Çilek stores across the United Arab Emirates. • Identify, evaluate, and recommend new store locations by conducting market research, location analysis, demographic assessments, and commercial feasibility studies. • Coordinate lease negotiations and contract processes with landlords, shopping malls, developers, and other stakeholders in collaboration with the company's Legal and Management teams. • Plan, coordinate, and manage all pre-opening activities to ensure new stores are launched on schedule and in accordance with Çilek's operational and brand standards. • Work closely with Supply Chain, Logistics, Merchandising, and Planning teams to ensure the right product assortment, timely shipments, and continuous stock availability across all stores. • Monitor store operations to ensure high standards of customer service, visual merchandising, operational efficiency, and full compliance with Çilek's retail standards. • Collaborate closely with Marketing, Category Management, and Head Office teams to implement sales-driving campaigns, promotional activities, and commercial initiatives. • Monitor store performance through sales, operational, and financial KPIs, and develop action plans to improve productivity and profitability. • Build and maintain strong relationships with shopping mall management, landlords, government authorities, and other key external stakeholders. • Ensure full compliance with local regulations, licensing requirements, and company policies. • Recruit, develop, and manage regional store teams while fostering a high-performance culture. • Prepare regular operational and performance reports for senior management and provide recommendations to support regional growth. • Identify new business opportunities and contribute to Çilek's long-term retail growth strategy across the GCC region. Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, Marketing, or a related field. • Minimum of 7 years of experience in retail operations, including multi-store management. • Proven experience in retail store opening projects, retail expansion initiatives, or regional retail operations. • Experience in children's furniture, children's products, kids' lifestyle, or a similar retail sector is preferred. • Strong knowledge of the UAE retail market; GCC market experience is preferred. • Experience in site selection, commercial leasing processes, and shopping mall operations. • Good understanding of local regulations, licensing procedures, and operational compliance requirements. • Strong knowledge of retail operations, inventory management, merchandising, and customer experience. • Experience in budget management, financial analysis, KPI management, and performance reporting. • Excellent project management, leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills. • Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams in an international business environment. • Currently residing in Dubai. • Fluent in written and spoken English; Arabic is an advantage. Show more Show less