HEAD OF OPERATIONS – SWADESH

Reliance Retail Bengaluru, India

Reporting to: Business Head – Swadesh

Reliance Retail is seeking a capable operations leader to head Operations for Swadesh, its premium platform for authentic Indian art, craft and handloom.

The Head of Operations will own end-to-end operating performance across the Swadesh store network and Business Operations Centre – store design and space planning, store operations, goods receipt and inventory, operations planning and a multi-format store portfolio spanning flagship stores, gift stores and airport stores, including flagship locations. This leader will build the operating discipline and store experience that bring the craft narrative to life for the customer.

We are looking for a leader who has:

• Led store or retail operations across a distributed, multi-site network.
• Delivered availability, service, productivity and operating-cost outcomes at scale.
• Owned store design, space planning and new-store readiness and stabilisation.
• Managed inventory truth, goods receipt and store replenishment.
• Built operating standards, processes and controls for a premium or experiential retail environment.
• Used data and technology to simplify operations and improve performance.

Experience in premium, lifestyle, experiential or specialty retail would be particularly relevant.

Prior experience in India is valuable but not essential for an outstanding leader with the adaptability to operate across the scale and diversity of the Indian market.

Compensation will be structured to attract and retain world-class leadership talent.

To apply or learn more, respond directly through this posting.

PART 2 – FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

HEAD OF OPERATIONS – SWADESH

Company: Reliance Retail

Location: Bengaluru, India

Reporting to: Business Head – Swadesh

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Swadesh is Reliance Retail’s premium destination for authentic Indian art, craft and handloom, operating an omnichannel model of experiential stores and a digital storefront across a growing, multi-format store portfolio – flagship stores, gift stores and airport stores – that includes flagship locations.

We are seeking a Head of Operations to lead operating performance and execution across the store network and the Business Operations Centre. The role owns store design and space planning, store operations, goods receipt and inventory, operations planning and the multi-format store portfolio, ensuring the operating discipline and store experience match the premium positioning of the brand.

This is an opportunity to build the operating engine of a distinctive retail business, and to raise store experience, availability and productivity as the footprint grows.

THE MANDATE

The Head of Operations will own operating performance across the Swadesh store network and Business Operations Centre. The role leads store operations, store design and space planning, goods receipt and operations planning teams, and works closely with the Business Head, Creative and Merchandising, Online, Quality, Visual Merchandising and enterprise partners in Supply Chain, Projects and Real Estate to deliver a consistent, high-quality store experience.

WHAT YOU WILL LEAD

1. Store Operations and Customer Experience

• Lead operating performance across the store network, driving availability, service standards, productivity, conversion and compliance.
• Create a consistent operating rhythm from stores to the business leadership team, using customer feedback and frontline insight to improve execution.

2. Store Design and Space Planning

• Own store design and space planning so that layout, fixtures and merchandising space reflect the craft narrative and premium positioning.
• Ensure design and layout standards are applied consistently across the multi-format portfolio – flagship stores, gift stores and airport stores – including flagship locations.

3. Goods Receipt, Inventory and Store Replenishment

• Own physical inventory truth in stores – accurate, real-time visibility of what exists, where and in what condition – from goods receipt through to shelf.
• Strengthen replenishment and stock accuracy to improve availability while controlling shrinkage and inventory variance.

4. New-Store Readiness and Network Expansion

• Ensure operational readiness and rapid stabilisation of new stores, including staffing, inventory, systems and operating controls.
• Build scalable operating standards that can extend across the growing store portfolio.

5. Operational Excellence, Data and Controls

• Build a simple, scalable operating system with clear accountability, standard processes, real-time visibility and exception-based management.
• Use data and technology to improve store productivity, inventory accuracy and loss prevention.

6. Organisation and Leadership

• Build a high-performing operations team, closing current vacancies and creating capability and succession depth.
• Create a frontline culture centred on customers, craft, ownership and continuous improvement.

WHAT SUCCESS WILL LOOK LIKE

The successful leader will be expected to deliver sustained progress across five outcomes:

• A consistent, premium store experience across the network, including flagship locations.
• Improved availability, inventory accuracy and service consistency.
• Stronger store productivity and operating economics.
• Reliable new-store readiness and stabilisation as the footprint grows.
• A capable operations organisation with clear accountability and succession depth.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING

You will be a senior operations leader who has:

• Personally led store or retail operations across a distributed, multi-site network.
• Managed significant operating, inventory and people responsibility in retail or a comparable environment.
• A strong record of delivering availability, service, productivity and operating-cost outcomes.
• Deep knowledge of store operations, store design and space planning, goods receipt, inventory and store replenishment.
• Strong operating judgement and an ownership mindset toward cost and customer experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build operations teams, develop successors and stabilise new sites.
• The influence and collaboration skills to work across Merchandising, Online, Quality, Visual Merchandising and enterprise Supply Chain, Projects and Real Estate.

Experience in premium, lifestyle, experiential or specialty retail would be particularly valuable. Prior India experience is an advantage but is not essential for an exceptional leader with the adaptability to operate across the diversity and complexity of the Indian market.

WHY JOIN RELIANCE RETAIL

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Build the operating engine of a distinctive premium retail business.
• Raise store experience and operating discipline across a growing footprint, including flagship locations.
• Bring inventory truth, availability and productivity to a craft-led assortment.
• Lead operations through a formative build-and-scale phase.
• Build an organisation and leadership bench designed to endure beyond any individual leader’s tenure.

Compensation will be structured to attract and retain world-class leadership talent.

Reliance Retail is committed to building a diverse leadership team and welcomes outstanding candidates from India and around the world.