Retail Operations Manager

Job description

About the Role: TALA, known for activewear that keeps up with busy lifestyles, has been on a rocket ship since its founding in 2019 by entrepreneur Grace Beverley. Built on largely organic socials, today we are a digital-first, multichannel women’s athleisure brand with a multi-faceted growth and retention strategy, trading on impressive numbers. TALA recently opened a 2,000-square-foot, double-fronted Store on London’s iconic Carnaby Street as part of our ambitious growth strategy, backed by a recent funding round. We are looking for an experienced Retail Operations Manager, reporting to the Head of Retail, who is as comfortable representing retail in an HQ meeting as they are on the shop floor with a store team. You bring operational credibility, cross-functional confidence and a track record of raising standards across a multi-site estate. You will be the operational backbone of TALA's retail estate, implementing the Retail Playbook, maintaining standards, supporting new store openings and acting as the critical link between stores and HQ. You will work cross-functionally across Merchandising, Logistics, Marketing, and People, ensuring retail has a clear, confident voice in every conversation that affects the shop floor. This is a full-time, store-based role across TALA's London locations and national openings, starting Late 2025. Tasks What you’ll be doing: Retail Operations & Standards Implement and embed the TALA Retail Playbook across all store locations, owning operational compliance and continuously raising the bar on standards. Conduct regular, structured store visits - auditing performance, identifying gaps and working directly with store teams to resolve issues and drive improvement. Develop and maintain the operational rhythms, checklists and reporting frameworks that keep stores running consistently and efficiently. Ensure every store has the tools, information and processes they need to execute with excellence, day in, day out. Partner with the Head of Retail to evolve operational standards as TALA's store estate grows. Retail Communications & Cascade Own the flow of information between HQ and stores - ensuring the right messages reach the right teams at the right time, clearly and without noise. Develop and maintain retail communications that keeps store teams informed, aligned and focused on priorities. Act as the retail voice in cross-functional meetings representing store teams, surfacing operational realities and ensuring HQ decisions land effectively on the shop floor. Track and measure communications compliance, flagging where messages aren't landing and course-correcting quickly. New Store Opening Support Support the Head of Retail in the end-to-end operational delivery of New Store Openings and Pop Ups. Coordinate the practical logistics of each opening: consumables, stock delivery, uniforms and store setup. Support new store teams through onboarding and induction, ensuring they are operationally ready and confident from day one. Be a hands-on presence at each opening, helping teams embed the Playbook and navigate the critical early weeks. Stock, Visual & Compliance Oversee day-to-day stock management processes across stores - ensuring accuracy, strong availability and excellent stockroom standards. Ensure visual merchandising standards are consistently delivered, with stores executing campaigns and launches on brief and on time. Measure and report on operational compliance across the estate, identifying trends and working with store teams to address gaps proactively. Ensure all stores operate safely, legally and compliantly, maintaining high standards across health & safety, security and risk management. Cross-Functional Partnership Build strong, trusted relationships across Merchandising, Logistics, Marketing, Finance, and People - ensuring retail priorities are understood and supported across the business. Represent the operational needs and realities of store teams in every cross-functional conversation. Translate HQ strategies and initiatives into clear, practical direction for store teams, ensuring nothing is lost in translation. Requirements What we’re looking for, An experienced retail operator with 7–9 years in store and operational roles across a multi-site environment. A credible communicator - someone store teams trust and HQ colleagues respect, who bridges both worlds with confidence. Strong track record of implementing operational frameworks, raising standards and driving compliance across multiple locations. Experience supporting or delivering new store openings, with the organisational rigour to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously. Commercially aware, with a solid understanding of retail KPIs, stock management, visual standards, and P&L. Someone who takes ownership of the detail without losing sight of the bigger picture. A proactive, solutions-focused operator who moves quickly, communicates clearly, and gets things done. HQ Based but comfortable spending time across all stores, with the flexibility to travel nationally and support openings and key trading periods. A genuine passion for TALA, our community, and what excellent retail looks and feels like. Benefits What we can offer: 25 days holiday a year plus bank holidays Very generous employee discount after probation period Nominated Friends & Family Discount Clothing allowance spending gift Class Pass or Gym Flex membership Health Shield Enhanced maternity/paternity pay Charity fundraising match of up to £1,000 About us: TALA is an activewear brand built to actively solve problems without creating new ones for people, the planet, or anyone else. Every collection prioritises functionality and thoughtful design, combining premium fabrics with multi-way versatility and flattering fits that deliver maximum impact with minimal effort. Each piece is crafted with attention to detail, ensuring women can look and feel their best with ease. When founder Grace Beverley shifted from fast fashion to more sustainable options in her everyday clothing, she found a host of responsibly made options in every category other than activewear. Founding TALA in 2019, the proud female-led brand is on a mission to make consciously made active and off-duty styles accessible and inclusive without sacrificing performance or fit. Read about TALA's people, purpose and product work here. TikTok: @wearetala Instagram: @wearetala