Purpose of the Role
As Senior Manager Retail Training for Italy and South East Europe, you’ll shape store team capability, drive commercial learning priorities and directly influence retail performance across our owned and franchise stores.
What you will do
- Shape and deliver the retail learning strategy for Italy and South East Europe, aligned to business priorities and store performance goals.
- Identify capability gaps across store teams and design practical, engaging learning solutions with business partners and subject matter experts.
- Lead the delivery of learning programs using a blend of trainer-led, digital, virtual and hands-on methods across owned and franchise partner stores.
- Coach and develop retail learning professionals, in-store trainers and franchise partner trainers to strengthen facilitation quality and consistent brand execution.
- Build strong partnerships with senior retail leaders, HR, franchise teams, and district and store leaders to ensure learning solutions are locally relevant and commercially impactful.
- Measure the impact of learning through performance data, feedback and observation, using insights to continuously improve programs and report on progress.
- Manage the learning budget, vendors and external partners to deliver high-quality, cost-effective learning solutions.
- Support new hire onboarding and ongoing engagement, ensuring store teams have the tools and support they need to succeed.
- Lead and develop a team of Retail Training Managers across the region, providing mentoring and guidance.
- Stay close to stores, gathering first-hand feedback to inform learning priorities and recognise strong execution.
Skills you will need
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in retail, ideally within apparel, fashion, footwear or FMCG, with a track record of developing others or working in a training environment.
- Strong understanding of retail operations, sales and customer service, combined with experience designing and delivering learning programs.
- Experience coaching, mentoring or developing trainers, facilitators or learning champions in retail or franchise-operated environments.
- Confident using adult learning principles and modern learning technologies to create scalable, engaging learning solutions.
- Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across functions and manage multiple priorities.
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Training and Development, Business Administration or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- A coaching or facilitation qualification (such as ICF or CIPD), or progress towards one, is an advantage.
- Fluent in English, with Italian and/or additional South East European languages a strong advantage.
- Please submit your CV in English. Non-English CVs will not be assessed.
Life at adidas
- Competitive base salary starting from €55.000 gross annually, with the final offer to be determined based on relevant experience, skills, and internal equity.
- Annual bonus (15%)
- Private Life & Health insurance
- Hybrid working model
- Monthly meal allowance (7 EUR per working day)
- Employee discount on adidas products
- Premium gym membership discount
- Company laptop & mobile phone
- Free access to learning platform
- Private pension plan
- Employee Assistance Program (personal counseling on variety of topics)
adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an equal opportunity employer.