Regional Operations Director (Fashion,)

Regional Operations Director – FASHION RETAIL Salary: Competitive and based on experience Location: Kuala Lumpur Keywords: retail operations, multi-store management, fashion business, expansion, team leadership, merchandising, inventory management, commercial strategy, Southeast Asia experience, Mandarin fluency

A rapidly growing fashion brand, renowned for its commitment to high-quality, everyday essentials, is seeking a Regional Operations Director to spearhead its ambitious expansion across SEA. This is a rare opportunity to take full ownership of building and scaling a multi-store retail platform from the ground up, driving operational excellence and commercial success in a hands-on capacity. The organisation is entering an exciting growth phase, offering you the chance to shape the future of the business by establishing robust operating systems, leading cross-functional teams, and ensuring that every store delivers an exceptional customer experience. If you are passionate about fashion retail, thrive in environments where your expertise directly impacts results, and are eager to play a pivotal role in regional expansion, this position offers unparalleled scope for professional growth and influence.

* Take charge of end-to-end business performance with full P&L responsibility, guiding the company through a significant period of growth and transformation across Malaysia and Thailand.
* Build and lead high-performing teams while developing scalable operating models that ensure consistent execution and outstanding customer experiences at every location.
* Collaborate closely with Merchandising to translate product strategies into strong commercial outcomes, leveraging your deep understanding of inventory management and market dynamics.

What you'll do:

As Regional Operations Director – Fashion Retail, you will be entrusted with comprehensive oversight of both business performance and day-to-day retail operations. Your primary focus will be on driving profitability through effective budget management, rigorous performance tracking, and strategic decision-making. You will champion operational excellence by setting clear standards for store execution while fostering a culture of accountability among your teams. In this role, you will also play a critical part in shaping commercial strategies that resonate with local consumers—adapting product assortments, pricing structures, promotions, and branding efforts to suit diverse market needs. By collaborating closely with Merchandising partners, you will ensure optimal inventory flow across all stores. Additionally, your leadership will be instrumental in supporting new store launches—from initial setup through ongoing operational support—ensuring each location is primed for success. Ultimately, your ability to build scalable systems and nurture high-performing teams will be key to delivering consistent results as the business expands regionally.

* Oversee all aspects of business performance including sales targets, profit margins, and operating costs to ensure sustainable growth across multiple retail locations.
* Lead the budgeting process, forecasting activities, and conduct regular performance reviews to drive continuous improvement in financial outcomes.
* Enhance store productivity by implementing best practices that improve sell-through rates and operational efficiency throughout the retail network.
* Supervise daily store operations to guarantee consistent execution of brand standards and deliver an exceptional customer journey at every touchpoint.
* Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs), define key performance indicators (KPIs), and instil operational discipline across all stores to maintain high levels of service quality.
* Identify and resolve store-level challenges such as staffing needs, visual merchandising execution, stock flow issues, and service quality concerns promptly and effectively.
* Develop a repeatable 'model store' concept that can be scaled efficiently as new locations are launched during the expansion phase.
* Formulate and execute commercial strategies tailored to local markets, including assortment planning, pricing adjustments, promotional activities, and brand positioning initiatives.
* Support new store openings by overseeing setup processes, recruiting staff, ensuring operational readiness, and aligning local action plans with headquarters’ objectives.
* Work closely with Merchandising to optimise inventory allocation, monitor stock health at each location, and coordinate actions that maximise sell-through while minimising excess inventory.

What you bring:

To excel as Regional Operations Director – Fashion Retail, you will bring extensive experience managing multi-site retail operations within the fashion or lifestyle sector. Your proven ability to oversee complex business units—including full P&L ownership—will enable you to navigate the challenges associated with rapid expansion while maintaining financial discipline. You possess a deep understanding of merchandising fundamentals such as category planning and inventory optimisation which allows you to collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners. Your analytical mindset ensures that decisions are always grounded in data-driven insights. As an empathetic leader who values teamwork above all else, you have successfully built cohesive teams across both corporate offices and retail floors—fostering cultures rooted in accountability and continuous improvement. Fluency in Mandarin is crucial for this position due to regular engagement with Chinese partners; familiarity with Southeast Asian markets further enhances your suitability for this regional role. Above all else, your interpersonal skills allow you to connect authentically with colleagues at every level—creating environments where everyone thrives together.

* Demonstrated experience spanning 10-12 years within multi-store retail environments in fashion, apparel or lifestyle brands where you have managed large-scale operations successfully.
* Proven track record of commercial leadership with full profit-and-loss (P&L) responsibility for complex retail businesses undergoing growth or transformation phases.
* Extensive background in building or scaling retail operations from inception through maturity while maintaining high standards of operational discipline.
* Deep knowledge of merchandising principles including category planning, inventory management best practices, and effective stock allocation strategies.
* Exceptional analytical skills combined with a data-driven approach to problem-solving that enables sound decision-making under pressure.
* Outstanding people leadership abilities demonstrated by managing both corporate functions and frontline store teams in multicultural settings.
* Fluency in Mandarin is essential due to frequent collaboration with partners based in China; additional language skills relevant to Southeast Asia are highly valued.
* Experience working within Southeast Asian markets is considered a significant advantage given the regional focus of this role.
* Strong interpersonal communication skills that foster collaboration across departments while nurturing positive relationships with internal stakeholders.
* Commitment to building inclusive teams where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels empowered to contribute their best work.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as an emerging force within the fashion industry thanks to its unwavering dedication to comfort-focused design and accessibility for everyday wearers. With a clear vision for regional expansion backed by robust investment in scalable infrastructure, it offers employees the unique chance to help shape not just individual stores but the entire trajectory of a growing brand. The company’s collaborative ethos encourages open communication between departments—ensuring that every team member’s voice is heard when shaping strategy or refining processes. Employees benefit from flexible working opportunities designed around personal wellbeing as well as access to ongoing training programmes aimed at nurturing professional development at every stage of their career journey. As part of this supportive environment where knowledge sharing is actively promoted across all levels of the organisation—you’ll find yourself surrounded by passionate colleagues who are committed not only to achieving commercial success but also making a positive impact on customers’ lives through thoughtfully crafted products.

What's next:

If you are ready to make your mark on one of Southeast Asia’s most promising fashion brands during its most exciting phase yet—this is your moment!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided; take the next step towards shaping the future of fashion retail.

Do note that we will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.

Agensi Pekerjaan Robert Walters Sdn Bhd
Business Registration Number : 729828-T
Licence Number : JTKSM 423C