Chief Operating Officer

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Our client is a multinational leader in bespoke design and innovative production services for the global fashion industry. Founded in 1995, the company employs more than 7,000 people worldwide and partners with some of the world’s most recognized retailers, including Zara, Tommy Hilfiger, and Calvin Klein. Building on decades of success in Europe and Asia, the company is now expanding into the U.S. market with its first brand license. This licensed brand is already distributed in Costco and leading department stores, with further opportunities on the horizon. With an established global infrastructure and a proven track record in large-scale retail partnerships, the company

is uniquely positioned to build a thriving U.S. operation.

SCOPE OF THE JOB

This is a pivotal executive role for a seasoned leader to establish and scale U.S. operations from the ground up. Reporting directly to the company’s Managing Partners, the COO will serve as the primary executive leader in the U.S., responsible for driving strategy, execution, and long-term growth. The mandate is to create a scalable business model that supports club channel retail and department store distribution while laying the foundation for additional brand licenses in the future.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

● Lead U.S. Operations: Build and oversee all aspects of the company’s U.S. operations, including sales, logistics, supply chain, warehousing, and support functions.

● Commercial Strategy: Drive strategy and execution for distribution across club channels (Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s) and higher-end department stores.

● Team Leadership: Recruit, develop, and manage a high-performing U.S.-based team across commercial and operational functions.

● Operational Infrastructure: Establish warehousing, logistics, and supply chain capabilities to meet the demands of large-scale retail distribution.

● P&L Ownership: Oversee financial performance and ensure profitability while building a sustainable growth platform.

● Assortment and Creative Strategy: Identify the needs of clients (e.g., pricing, product, assortment, launch dates), and use this information to create clear briefs for Design and Creative teams so they can develop compelling collections and creative assets that meet brand and client requirements. Communicate feedback from clients to Design and Creative teams to refine collections and assets as appropriate.

● Brand Liaison: Manage the presentation of proposed collections and creative assets to brands for approval. Interpret and communicate feedback to Design and Creative teams for refinement where required. Act as the primary U.S. point of contact for all stakeholders, ensuring that the global Design/Product Development leadership team receives clear and actionable briefs and feedback.

● Strategic Growth: Act as the executive leader for the U.S. market, identifying opportunities for additional brand licenses and partnerships.

● Global Alignment: Serve as the key liaison with the company’s international leadership to align strategy, reporting, and long-term objectives.

THE CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial executive with proven experience building and scaling consumer businesses in the U.S. retail landscape. They must combine strong operational expertise with commercial acumen to succeed in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

● Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in sales and operations.

● At least 5 years of experience managing full P&L responsibilities and successfully leading cross-functional teams.

● Demonstrated success selling into club channels (Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s) and navigating their unique requirements.

● Deep expertise in logistics, warehousing, and supply chain operations supporting large-scale retail partners.

● Strong track record of building and scaling businesses from early-stage to growth phase.

● Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or related field required; MBA preferred.

● Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

● Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

● Experience working with Design and Creative teams to build compelling product and brand propositions preferred.

● Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in a highly dynamic and evolving environment.

We do not discriminate in the acceptance or referral of candidates on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, disability, or other legally protected characteristics.