A growing retail business in the optical sector (revenue < €10M) is seeking a hands-on Operations Director with a strong retail background. This is an interim appointment with the potential to transition into a permanent CEO role.
This is a unique opportunity for a candidate who has grown up in small-to-mid-sized retail environments and is ready to step into a leadership position with direct impact on both daily operations and long-term strategy.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead daily operations across a national network of optical retail stores in Belgium
* Drive operational improvements and turnaround initiatives, enhancing efficiency and profitability
* Act as a hands-on leader who can balance store-level execution with strategic oversight
* Strengthen commercial and marketing performance to accelerate revenue growth
* Build strong relationships with store managers, developing franchise/commission models that support sustainable expansion
* Work directly with ownership on growth strategy and long-term value creation
Ideal Candidate Profile
* Mandatory retail experience (optical retail strongly preferred; other specialty or multi-site retail also considered)
* Proven track record in operational improvement / turnaround in a retail setting
* Strong exposure to marketing and commercial growth initiatives
* Hands-on, entrepreneurial mindset; comfortable in a lean, sub-€10M revenue company
* Fluent in Dutch, French, and English
* Experience with franchise or commission-based models is an advantage
About the Opportunity
This is not a corporate role in a large, structured organization. Instead, it’s a hands-on leadership role in a smaller, growing retail business at a pivotal stage of transformation.
The successful candidate will have:
* The chance to make an immediate operational impact
* Direct exposure to ownership and decision-making
* A clear growth path to CEO in the near future
If you are a retail operator who thrives in small, entrepreneurial settings and are ready to grow into a CEO role, we’d love to hear from you.
To apply, please submit your CV.