The Divisional Vice President of Store Operations is responsible for providing strategic leadership and guidance for the Stores Division. They lead the Store Operations Team and is a critical partner to the Stores Organization and the rest of the Co-op. A primary objective of the position is to optimize store operations to meet business goals, drive efficiencies, ensure a great customer experience and drive innovation for the future.    

In strong partnership with cross divisional partners the DVP, Store Operations will ensure consistent execution of operational initiatives and build skills and agility within the divisions to support the changing dynamics of the business. This role is responsible for the development,  planning and budgeting for the Stores Division in partnership with the rest of the Stores Organization Leadership.

At REI Co-op, we believe time outside is fundamental to a life well lived and exist to inspire and enable a life outside for everyone.  To deliver on that promise, we are working with our 17,000+ employees, 23M members and the broader outdoor community toward a reality where everyone has the opportunity to be themselves, to access opportunities and find their place in the outdoors. For us, that means: 

• Investing in work that removes the barriers people and communities face to getting outside.
• Delivering relevant products, experiences, and expertise to equip and inspire a new generation of outdoor stewards.
• Cultivating a workforce that reflects the demographics of the markets we serve.
• Leading the industry’s efforts to welcome people and communities historically underrepresented into outdoor media and culture.

Leading the Way

·        As a member of the Leadership Forum, develops a deep understanding of, effectively communicates and broadly supports execution of company strategies and priorities.

·        Translates company strategies into actionable divisional plans and executes successful delivery.

·        Works cross-divisionally to drive execution of specific divisional and company strategies, initiatives and projects.

·        Strengthens retail staff’s access and connection to leadership through annual store visits and district conference calls; drives engagement and builds trust in REI’s leaders.

·        Identifies and communicates key responsibilities and practices to ensure the organization promotes a successful attitude, confidence in leadership, and teamwork to achieve business results.

·        Supports the implementation of company programs, procedures, methods and practices to promote REI key messages.

·        Challenges and inspires employees to achieve business results.

·        Ensures employees adhere to legal and operational compliance requirements.

·        Oversees training and development of employees directly and indirectly managed and makes effective staffing decisions.

·        Conducts and ensures the completion of performance reviews.

·        Provides coaching, direction and leadership support to employees in order to achieve department, company and customer results.

·        Establishes and maintains visibility within the department.

·        Monitors operational statistics, reports trends, variances and issues, and takes appropriate action.

Your Planning & Navigating Requirements

• Shape and develop operational strategy
• Optimization of customer satisfaction/loyalty through improved operations.
• Evolve the layout and footprint of our l stores in response to changes in customer preferences, merchandising and operational priorities  and financials.
• Identify opportunities and implement process improvement for the division.
• Ensure continual improvement of store operations by researching best practices and identifying new/needed skills, processes, or methods.

o   Assist in building of the Stores Strategic Plan with measures and disciplined time lines.

o   Work closely with other members of the Commercial and Stores Leadership Team to establish how store operations will continue to drive and support the short and long term objectives of the company.

• Work with the Commercial and Stores Leadership Team to drive operational and cultural change through the organization.
• Build an organizational culture in which there is a passion for operational excellence: continuous improvement, driving change and pushing the limits on what is possible.

• Leads the Store Leadership Team and the Stores Organization to drive strategic business development and key planning issues that impact the operations of the division.
• Determine resource allocation among division.
• Align with the VP-Stores regarding business activities, performance, opportunities, and recommended courses of action.
• Responsible for supporting the VP-Stores with strategic and operational planning and by ensuring that required infrastructure and support services are in place.

o   Serves as critical strategy planning link between Corporate and the whole store organization on all operational issues for the division.

• Lead team to evaluate and take actions that are consistent with the company's overall strategy.
• Challenge basic assumptions underlying division's operations
• Ensures clarity, understanding, and commitment from all stakeholders.
• Develops innovative initiatives to enhance internal efficiency and effectiveness.

• Monitor division performance against performance goals to ensure progress is being made and corrective action, if necessary, is taken.
• Implementation of productivity/quality metrics programs designed to minimize costs and enhance efficiency.
• Responsible for the development and management of the annual operating and capital budgets.
• Assist in development of operational goals which are aggressive and tied to long-term goals of the company.

o   Build and leverage operational performance information/data to drive continuous improvement efforts.  Identify when additional information is required to more effectively monitor and improve performance.

o   Along with your team, define, design, plan, and manage projects in the operations departments in support of Company and the Store Organization Objectives.

o   Responsible for ensuring the Standard Operating Procedures are in place to manage all aspects of store process. Make stores easy to run.

o   Responsible for, in partnership with our Risk/Safety partners, ensuring all risk management, safety procedures/practices are in place and ongoing safety improvement is maintained in division. 

• Ability to think strategically, define business opportunities, collect, interpret, and analyze abstract information and create strategic value added solutions.
• Ability to build a strong team – accountable, right skill sets, clarity in roles and focus, agile and open to learning
• Have a Growth Mindset
• Ability to influence key decision makers and create competitive breakthrough strategies and plans.
• Must possess strong analytical skills to assess data, facts and figures used to develop strategies designed to improve the business.
• Must possess strong leadership and coaching skills and the ability to capitalize and apply those skills.
• Ability to demonstrate a high degree if professionalism as well as leadership.
• Must have strong communication skills (verbal & written), including strong relationship building skills.
• Ability to adjust priorities and manage time wisely in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within all levels in the organization.
• Strong knowledge of technology platforms and systems.
• Ability to negotiate contracts.
• Creates a strong, mutually supportive work environment where people can do their best.
• Establishes trust and inspires others.
• Makes effective organization and people decisions in a manner consistent with REI's values and ethics.
• Delivers on commitments and holds others to same.
• Champions the organization and advocates solutions in the overall Company's best interest.
• Uses business knowledge, innovative thinking, and sound judgment in the solution of problems or the pursuit of business opportunities.
• Experience in strategic planning as it relates to retail operations/capabilities/capacity.
• Strong Project Management experience.
• Considers the ultimate impact of decisions and actions on internal and external customers.
• Ability to embrace, facilitate, and drive change through the team and operations
• Extensive experience in store operations and strong knowledge of all requirements of a store (building, systems etc).
• Must have proven success in leading multi million dollar sales volumes in multi site environment or equivalent.
• 7+ years of senior leadership experience or equivalent managing multiple teams in a national or multinational company with annual revenues greater than $2B.