Job Description

The Divisional Vice President (DVP) of Stores – West is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational guidance for REI’s stores and the stores organization. As one of only two DVPs, this role oversees the Western half of REI’s operating regions and physical stores and is a critical leader in driving the strategy and execution of REI’s physical store experience operations. The DVP is directly accountable for monitoring and achieving division and overall store performance goals across revenue, membership, operational KPIs, profitability targets, employee engagement, team development and driving continuous improvement to strategies and tactics as necessary to consistently achieves or exceeds them.

The leader will play a key role in driving REI’s transformation agenda across REI’s stores by ensuring divisional strategies are developed to achieve the Co-op’s long-term membership goals, increase growth opportunities, and ensuring our stores, our employees, and offerings reflect the outdoor needs of the communities, members, and customers in the markets we serve. This leader will help ensure REI is achieving its equity, diversity and inclusion goals and building a deep pool of diverse leadership talent to position the Co-op for growth and operational excellence. This leader will act as a positive change agent in support of the co-op and stores transformation plan driving a more active and strategic voice from the stores organization across the commercial division and the Co-op, while increasing accountability and bias for action.

This leader is a strategic operator with experience leading multi-region networks of physical stores, driving organizational change, leading strategic thinking, developing, and managing field teams, and delivering results.

Location – this role is remote, however we need the person to live in market.

At REI Co-op, we believe time outside is fundamental to a life well lived and exist to inspire and enable a life outside for everyone. To deliver on that promise, we are working with our 14,000+ employees, 25 members and the broader outdoor community toward a reality where everyone has the opportunity to be themselves, to access opportunities and find their place in the outdoors. For us, that means: 

• Investing in work that removes the barriers people and communities face to getting outside.
• Delivering relevant products, experiences, and expertise to equip and inspire a new generation of outdoor stewards.
• Cultivating a workforce that reflects the demographics of the markets we serve.
• Leading the industry’s efforts to welcome people and communities historically underrepresented into outdoor media and culture.

Leading the Way

• As a member of the Leadership Forum, develops a deep understanding of, effectively communicates and broadly supports execution of company strategies and priorities.
• Translates company strategies into actionable divisional plans and executes successful delivery.
• Works cross-divisionally to drive execution of specific divisional and company strategies, initiatives and projects.
• Strengthens retail staff’s access and connection to leadership through annual store visits and district conference calls; drives engagement and builds trust in REI’s leaders.
• Identifies and communicates key responsibilities and practices to ensure the organization promotes a successful attitude, confidence in leadership, and teamwork to achieve business results.
• Supports the implementation of company programs, procedures, methods and practices to promote REI key messages.
• Challenges and inspires employees to achieve business results.
• Ensures employees adhere to legal and operational compliance requirements.
• Oversees training and development of employees directly and indirectly managed and makes effective staffing decisions.
• Conducts and ensures the completion of performance reviews.
• Provides coaching, direction and leadership support to employees in order to achieve department, company and customer results.
• Establishes and maintains visibility within the department.
• Monitors operational statistics, reports trends, variances and issues, and takes appropriate action

Planning & Navigating

• Contribute to the definition and execution of store strategy in alignment with overall Co-op strategy and priorities. Ensure full fleet strategy translates to regional strategies and vice-versa
• Guide regional leadership teams to develop region-specific strategies that localize Co-op wide strategies and priorities while optimizing the Co-op’s opportunity at the regional level
• Monitor and achieve division and overall store organization performance goals. Drive adjustments to strategies and tactics as necessary to achieve division and Co-op goals.
• Ensure all stores consistently achieve or exceed revenue, membership, operational KPIs and profitability goals through effective use of short and long-term planning and expense control
• Deliver consistent high standards of customer experience in stores in accordance with the Co-op Way and service standards across stores.
• Partner closely with Real-estate to identify new store and relocation opportunities within the division and manage real-estate portfolio to achieve division growth goals.
• Support Co-op wide initiatives with direct leadership participation
• Build annual plans and budgets
• Collaborate cross divisionally to ensure support and execution of regional and all store strategies
• Partner with other leaders within the Commercial organization and across the Co-op to define and execute Co-op wide strategies and tactics to achieve the Co-ops goals.

Professional Qualifications and Experience

• 7+ years in regional leadership experience or equivalent.
• Bachelor's Degree or master’s degree (Business or related field).
• Proven experience in establishing vision and goals; developing strategic plans and leading cross-divisional teams in accomplishing key strategic initiatives.
• Comfort with ambiguity and a dynamic business landscape.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and projects, to prioritize, and adapt to a changing environment.
• Strong relationship-building skills and experience working closely with cross-functional partners to influence and operationalize key strategic initiatives.
• Ability to think strategically, define business opportunities, collect, interpret, and analyze abstract information and create strategic value-added solutions.
• Establishes trust and inspires others.
• Demonstrated experience of cross-divisional partnership and collaboration to lead in a matrixed environment.
• Creates a strong, mutually supportive work environment and culture where people can do their best.
• Ability to embrace, facilitate, and drive change through the operations.
• Must possess strong leadership and coaching skills and the ability to capitalize and apply those skills.
• Experience and proven success in motivating a team to deliver differentiated customer experiences and solve customer issues.
• Consolidates information from various sources including feedback from others to reach sound decisions.
• Must have strong communication skills (verbal & written), including strong relationship building skills.
• Successful in fostering and working as part of a diverse and inclusive team. Builds rapport with all kinds of people inside and outside the organization.
• Ability to build a culture of innovation by promoting risk-taking and creativity.
• Develop and enhance cultures of continuous improvement and data-driven decision making, leading to improved KPIs and customer experiences. Has built programs and processes
• A growth mindset coupled with a bias for action and sense of urgency.
• Establishes, models and drives accountability. Provides management oversight and support, establishing a culture of accountability.
• Uses business knowledge, innovative thinking, and sound judgment in the solution of problems or the pursuit of business opportunities.
• Ability to travel as required.

At REI, we believe the outdoors is for all. We are committed to becoming a  fully inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization . We know that there's strength in our diversity – that each employee brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Every day you are driving change, fostering a culture of respect, and knowing you're backed by benefits that support your whole life. To work towards this commitment and fulfill our brand promise of inspiring and enabling a life outside for everyone, we seek employees who demonstrate different ways of working, create a sense of belonging, and actively listen and learn.   

Pay Transparency  

We are committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. As required by applicable Pay Transparency laws, REI  provides a range of compensation for roles that may be hired in locations under these requirements. Factors that may be used to  determine your actual salary may include a wide array of factors, including: your specific skills and experience, geographic  location or other relevant factors. 

REI offers all regular employees a generous employee discount, access to health benefits, a retirement savings plan and  accrued time off. Click  here for a detailed overview of benefits plans by employee profile.  

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