Retail Area Manager UK & Ireland

Columbia Sportswear

  • Cumbria
  • Contract
  • Full-time
  • 8 days ago
🔝 Reports to: Retail Operations Manager Europe📑 Initial 12-month fixed-term contract, with permanent conversion thereafter📍 UK (remote)📆 Start date: at the earliest convenienceOUTGROWN YOUR OWN BACKYARD? COME PLAY IN OURS.At Columbia Sportswear, we’re as passionate about the outdoors as you are. And while our gear is available worldwide, we’re proud to be based in the Pacific Northwest, where natural wonders are our playground.Every product we make and every task we undertake is inspired by the famous words of our founder Gert Boyle: “It’s perfect. Now make it better.” As pioneers of relentless improvement, we are constantly evolvingDiscover a world of diversity within our team of 700+ across 13 European countries, united by the common goal of elevating Columbia to the pinnacle of outdoor brands in Europe. Our omnichannel approach seamlessly integrates Columbia and Sorel brands' engaging in-store and online experiences.We believe the outdoors is ours to protect and strive to keep our planet healthy. We believe in empowering people to experience the outdoors to the fullest.And we believe in you.ABOUT THE TEAMColumbia Sportswear is accelerating its growth across Europe—and the UK is a key part of this journey. By mid-2026, we will operate over 10 stores across the UK and Ireland, including new locations in outlet centers.You’ll join the European Retail team and report to the Retail Operations Manager Europe. The team is a close-knit group of experienced Area Managers who value accountability, team spirit, and mutual support. Together, they manage operations across multiple countries, share best practices, and are united by the goal of delivering best-in-class retail performance and customer experience.As our business footprint grows in the UK, this new position will be critical in structuring and scaling our operations—and bringing our retail vision to life.ABOUT THE MISSIONWe’re opening stores and building momentum—and our UK retail operations need structure, stability, and leadership to unlock their full potential. That’s where you come in.As Retail Area Manager for the UK & Ireland, your mission is to build a high-performing, well-oiled retail organization in a fast-growing region. From Ashford to Glasgow, from Portsmouth to Dublin, you’ll oversee a network of Columbia stores (outlet and partner), lead a team of Store Managers, and ensure consistent execution of our operational and customer experience standards.Your priorities: strengthening leadership at store level, building solid team structures, developing talent, and improving business performance. You’ll also ensure that local specificities—such as UK market expectations, legal requirements, and communication styles—are understood and embedded into our retail approach.This is a new headcount designed to support our growth and maximize the potential of a key market where our customer base is growing fast—but our organization still has room to mature.HOW YOU’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
  • Lead and inspire Store Managers across the UK and Ireland to drive commercial results and elevate the customer experience
  • Hire and develop strong store leadership teams, setting up solid structures and fostering stability in high-turnover environments
  • Set clear operational and service standards across the region, and ensure consistent execution through store visits and coaching
  • Translate retail strategy into action plans and ensure timely implementation of corporate directives in each location
  • Monitor business KPIs, identify performance levers, and take action to meet sales and profitability targets
  • Provide field support on training, product knowledge, visual merchandising, and team development
  • Adapt global and European initiatives to the UK context, considering local customer behavior, regulations, and retail communication styles
  • Collaborate with HR and HQ teams to ensure compliance, loss prevention, and operational excellence across stores
  • Oversee the partner store in Dublin and ensure alignment with Columbia’s standards and goals
  • Contribute to long-term growth by supporting new store openings and preparing the region for future expansion
YOU ARE
  • A hands-on leader who leads by example, builds trust, and brings stability and structure to teams
  • Analytical and driven: you make decisions based on data and know how to turn insights into action
  • Resilient and committed, with a sense of accountability and pride in delivering results
  • A strong communicator who knows how to adapt messages to local markets, teams, and customer habits
  • Collaborative and team-spirited: you value shared success and contribute to a culture of mutual support across the European Retail team
YOU HAVE
  • 3 to 5 years of experience as an Area Manager or District Manager in the UK retail market, preferably within fashion, outdoor, or sporting goods
  • A deep understanding of UK retail dynamics, from customer expectations to team management and local regulations
  • A successful track record in recruiting, training, and developing retail leaders in multi-site environments
  • Experience managing business KPIs, store budgets, and implementing action plans to drive growth and efficiency
  • Full professional proficiency in English; experience working in international or matrix organizations is a plus
WHY JOINING US?You will have the opportunity to work for a company that has a positive impact on the people we reach, the places we touch, and the products we make. Indeed, one of our core values is to do the right thing, not just for our company, but also for our consumers, customers, employees and their communities.On top of that, you will have the chance to:
  • Build new skills, develop your potential, and grow within our company.
  • Join an inclusive employer where diversity and equity lead to creativity and empowerment.
  • Be part of a company that focus on your wellbeing to ensure that you can be your best self.
  • Travel around Europe for seminars or staff event and expend your professional network.
  • Benefit from special staff discount on our all products.
PERKS & BENEFITS🎁 Significant discounts on Columbia and Sorel products📚 Unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning👩‍🏫 Unlock your potential: access to in-house training courses (feedback, leadership, Insights®...)🌈DEI initiatives to exchange and strengthen our involvement around these themesABOUT THE CULTURE
  • At Columbia Sportswear, we value an inclusive and open culture that emphasizes the absence of barriers between team members. We are committed to fostering a sense of belonging by encouraging personal connections at all levels, which creates a cohesive and supportive work environment.
  • Team members serve as ambassadors for our brand, finding motivation in being part of an organization dedicated to activities they are passionate about. This dedication reflects our commitment to building a team that takes pride in our products and values.
  • We offer the opportunity to work for a US-based company within a multicultural environment, where your job has an impact across different countries.
  • Our "Always Be Learning" culture of continuous learning enables our employees to identify and develop skills that will enable them to continue to grow within the company.
  • "Unlock Your Potential" is the spirit that characterizes our vision of employees' development: to offer them opportunities to grow, in their job, in their team or even to change jobs completely. We grow our people to grow our business.
To learn more about us and our culture, visit our page on Welcome To The Jungle:ABOUT THE HIRING PROCESS1️⃣ Ready to unlock your potential at Columbia Sportswear Company? Apply now to help us connect active people with their passion! The hiring team will review your application in the following weeks.2️⃣ If your application is selected: a 30-45mn introductory interview with our Talent Acquisition Team to talk about yourself, your motivations and the role3️⃣ Interview with the hiring manager (online or in-person interview)4️⃣ Your unique strengths align perfectly with our team: we are thrilled to extend you an offer!This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.

Columbia Sportswear