Head of Retail Operations

Makana Partners ·www.makanapartners.com

Location Tokyo, 13, JP
Type Full time
Level Director
Source Shazamme
Operations Healthcare
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We are currently supporting a search for a DX Project Management / Head of Retail Operations within the medical device industry. This is a high-visibility, dual-responsibility leadership position reporting directly to the local Chief Executive Officer. The successful candidate will spearhead a large-scale retail digital transformation project while concurrently overseeing retail operations and post-merger integration (PMI) activities.


About the Role

Operating as an operational and technology leader within the medical device and hearing care retail industry, you will drive strategic evolution across a national store network. In this role, you will hold end-to-end accountability for deploying an integrated internal business platform while managing day-to-day retail sales operations. You will act as the crucial bridge connecting local business functions with regional Asia-Pacific hubs and global headquarters in Europe, ensuring that operational strategies, commercial integration, and technological advancements are executed seamlessly.


Key Responsibilities


Digital Transformation & System Project Management

  • Lead the end-to-end project management and domestic deployment of a comprehensive integrated business platform covering ERP, CRM, BI, and POS solutions.
  • Align local business requirements with global technical standards, ensuring minimal disruption to retail infrastructure during system replacements.
  • Manage cross-functional project teams and external vendors to ensure timely, on-budget delivery of digital initiatives.


Post-Merger Integration (PMI) & Synergy Realization

  • Direct all post-merger integration activities following corporate M&A transactions across the retail network.
  • Partner closely with executive leadership to plan, manage, and execute operational integration, driving efficiency and organizational optimization.
  • Track, evaluate, and report on value creation and synergy realization metrics to domestic and regional stakeholders.


Retail Sales Operations & Commercial Management

  • Oversee comprehensive sales operations for retail brick-and-mortar stores, with full accountability for revenue management and cost control.
  • Design, implement, and optimize regional incentive and commission structures to drive robust store sales performance.
  • Analyze complex commercial data to track performance KPIs, identify growth opportunities, and optimize retail workflows.


Global Stakeholder Alignment & Reporting

  • Maintain regular, high-level communication with the regional APAC headquarters and global corporate offices to ensure unified strategic alignment.
  • Facilitate collaboration between domestic functional leaders (Sales, Marketing, HR, Finance, and IT) to drive cohesive business transformation.


Requirements

  • Experience: Minimum 5 years of hands-on project management execution experience, alongside at least 5 years of Sales Operations management experience.
  • Industry Background: Strong background in the retail industry, commercial retail operations, or related consumer-facing sectors. Exposure to corporate environments with large-scale organizations (annual sales exceeding JPY 10B) or process management within a management consulting firm is highly preferred.
  • Language Proficiency: Native-level Japanese and Business-level English (capable of leading meetings, presenting data, and writing reports for global and regional headquarters).
  • Technical Skills: Intermediate to advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP, IF functions, data charts, pivot tables) are required; hands-on experience utilizing Power BI for business insights is a strong plus.
  • Core Soft Skills: Exceptional logical communication skills, an entrepreneurial and resilient mindset to drive transformation to completion, strong financial acumen with data-driven KPIs, and a collaborative, proactive approach to leadership.


Why Apply

  • High-Impact Leadership: Direct ownership over both a critical digital transformation journey and core retail operations for an established market leader.
  • Work-Life Balance & Flexibility: Flex-time system and hybrid remote work options (approx. once a week work-from-home) to support modern working styles.
  • Global Exposure: Regular visibility and direct interaction with regional APAC leadership and European global corporate headquarters.


Frequently asked questions

Who is hiring for the Head of Retail Operations role?
Makana Partners is hiring for the Head of Retail Operations position, a Shazamme client. Apply directly on the employer's career site.
Where is the Head of Retail Operations job located?
The Head of Retail Operations role with Makana Partners is based in Tokyo, JP.
Is the Head of Retail Operations role full-time or contract?
This is a full time position at Makana Partners.
What experience level is the Head of Retail Operations role?
The Head of Retail Operations position is aimed at director-level candidates.
How do I apply for the Head of Retail Operations role at Makana Partners?
Apply directly on Makana Partners's career page via the Apply button on this listing. ZammeJobs links straight through to the employer's ATS — no third-party form, no resume database.
Apply direct