Senior Operations Manager – International Multi-Site Retail Group

Capitis Partners were asked to help source a newly created European role for a leading European retail and wholesale healthcare group. The role, although primarily based in UK was responsible for the retail operations in several newly entered East European markets.

The group currently operates in 7 European countries on either a wholly-owned or joint venture basis with over 300 retail outlets in the region. Eager to take advantage of further expansion possibilities in the European Union, our client decided that it needed to expand its current retail team to include an experienced retail operator with Eastern European experience. Our client was concerned that as a small, close-knit team, hiring externally may upset the balance within it’s team members and cause potential disruption amongst the regional offices. It was agreed the successful candidate would be solidly business-oriented; exceptional at building relationships with internal clients, franchisees, and business partners; strategic and proactive in providing counsel to senior management; and experienced in managing a geographically dispersed and diverse team of retailers.

Capitis Partners began by reviewing which UK and European companies provided similar services (healthcare retailing) and discussing this with the client. On deciding that it would be beneficial to bring in fresh retailing perspectives, Capitis agreed to look outside of the usual talent pool to seek this talent. Capitis used our extensive research network and after agreeing a tight timetable with the client presented the shortlist of five fully qualified candidates within five weeks of inception of the search. All the candidates fitted the brief and several spoke more than two European languages including English. Each candidate possessed a desire to work within emerging retail markets in a company that was willing to nurture and grow its talent.

All the shortlisted candidates were interviewed resulting in the hire of an MBA qualified and highly experienced European retail professional. Although this individual had no previous healthcare experience it was unanimously agreed that their professional attitude and approach would see them fit seamlessly into the team. Along with a structured induction programme within Head Office and the regional offices any potential disturbance to the balance of the existing teams was minimised and the introduction of the new employee was allowed to progress smoothly.