About us:
Diadora has been in the market for over 70 years and has helped write some of the greatest stories in the history of sport.
Located in the footwear district of Montebelluna, internationally renowned for expertly crafted sports shoes and home to some exceptional niche products, it has made craftsmanship, innovation and authenticity the key values at the heart of its sports and lifestyle collections.
Today, Diadora is present in more than 60 markets worldwide and continues to expand thanks to a vast array of cutting-edge performance-focused products, with its running, football and tennis lines and fashion products, with its premium Heritage and Sportswear lines.
Main Responsibilities:
We are seeking a highly skilled Business Operations Manager to lead our U.S. subsidiary in optimizing sales operations and driving business efficiency.
In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations across key functions: Customer Service, Logistics, and Credit. Your leadership will ensure streamlined processes, timely execution, and data-driven decision-making that supports the sales team and overall business growth. You will directly report to the CEO of Diadora US and work closely with the Diadora HQ team in Italy to ensure operational alignment and drive execution.
In particular you will be in charge of the of the following activities:
- Customer Service Leadership: Manage the order and customer portfolio, leveraging SAP and other sales platforms. Ensure timely shipments, smooth returns management, and resolution of claims and disputes to maintain high customer satisfaction.
- Team Management: Lead and coordinate the Customer Service, Logistics, and Credit teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture. You’ll be responsible for day-to-day operations and team development, ensuring smooth and efficient workflows.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Maintain strong relationships with internal teams at Diadora US and HQ in Italy, ensuring effective communication and transparency across departments. Collaborate with various teams to implement processes that drive execution and meet business objectives.
- Sales Team Support: Act as a key liaison between the operations team and the U.S. sales team (including Sales Managers, Internal Sales Reps, and External Agents). Provide ongoing support, mobilize teams for planned activities, and deliver training on new tools and processes.
- Business Partnership with HQ: Serve as the primary operational partner for Diadora HQ in Italy. Collaborate with HQ teams (Sales Operations, Finance, Customer Service, IT) on new projects, training initiatives, and support related to IT tools and system enhancements.
- Business Analytics & Reporting: Work closely with the CEO to track critical business KPIs, monitor performance, and support strategic decision-making. Use SAP-BO and other tools to develop reports, manage annual operating plans, and support financial and demand planning.
Key Requirements:
- Experience: 5-7 years of experience in operations management, with a proven track record in customer service management, office management, and team leadership (experience managing teams of <10 FTE).
- Educational Background: A Master’s degree in Economics, Statistics, Engineering, or a related field is preferred.
- Technological Proficiency:
- SAP Expertise: Expert-level experience with SAP-SD (Sales & Distribution).
- EDI Systems: Strong proficiency in optimizing EDI systems for improved communication with suppliers, partners, and customers.
- Data Analytics: Strong ability to leverage Excel, SAP-BO, and SAP Analytics Cloud to inform operational decisions and enhance efficiency.
- Mindset: Process-driven, with a strong problem-solving attitude. Proactive and adaptable, with the ability to remain focused under pressure while maintaining a positive attitude.
- Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to effectively engage with cross-functional teams and build strong working relationships.
- Industry Knowledge: A deep understanding of the sportswear and specialty sports industries, particularly in footwear and apparel. Experience in the running specialty market is a strong plus.
- Language Skills: Native proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of Italian is preferred but not mandatory.
Passion for Sports & Fashion: A genuine passion for the fashion-sportswear industry, particularly in the context of running and performance sports, is highly valued.
Why work with us?
This is an incredible opportunity to become part of a dynamic company that will spark interest, inspire and offer an extraordinary experience in sports and lifestyle through its passion and technological innovation and the pinnacle of traditional craftsmanship. You will get the opportunity to learn, think and grow, while expressing your personality and talent.
We firmly believe that diversity in all its forms – gender, colour, age, race, nationality, culture, religious belief, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability – enriches the workplace. This is why we strive to create a diverse workforce.
As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their background.
