ZEISS is technology and innovation. We develop, manufacture, and sell highly innovative products and solutions across multiple business fields – always challenging the limits of what is possible.

ZEISS is a global technology leader in optics and optoelectronics, generating over €10.8 billion in annual revenue with approximately 46,000 employees across 50 countries worldwide.

Founded in Germany in 1846, ZEISS combines a rich heritage with a strong commitment to responsibility, sustainability, and long-term impact. Around 15% of revenue is invested in science and R&D, reflecting our belief that innovation and technology drive a sustainable future.

Your Talent, our Vision – together we see beyond.

As part of the ZEISS Business Partner Program (ZBPP), this role supports the development of ZEISS Vision Centers, ZEISS Vision Experts, ZEISS Vision Partners, and ZEISS Dealers, helping to deliver premium retail experiences and operational excellence across the region.

Purpose of the Role

As Retail Development & Excellence Manager, you lead the execution of retail development and excellence frameworks across the ZBPP network. Your role translates strategy and priorities into scalable retail concepts, consistent premium brand execution, and sustained sell-out performance across all partner tiers.

You focus on retail concept deployment, operational excellence, and capability enablement, ensuring partners deliver exceptional customer experiences while adhering to ZEISS global standards and regional objectives.

Key responsibilities:

ZBPP Network Development & Store Opening (Pre-Opening)

• Lead the rollout of ZBPP retail concepts across all partner formats (ZVC, ZVE, Partners, Dealers) according to strategy and priorities.

• Steer retail development projects including store layout, customer journey design, branding, and POS standards.

• Coordinate with ZEISS customers, global design agencies, and external partners to ensure quality, consistency, and timely delivery.

• Ensure compliance with ZEISS global retail, branding, and quality guidelines.

• Train partner Sales & Optometry staff on standard optical retail operations, frame selection, inventory management, ZEISS products, and consumer journey in collaboration with Training teams.

• Validate store readiness against milestones and hand over completed locations to partner operations teams.

Retail Excellence & Network Performance (Post-Opening)

• Drive retail performance across the ZBPP network, focusing on store standards, customer journey execution, conversion levers, and operational excellence.

• Define, monitor, and analyze retail KPIs including sell-out growth, conversion rate, premium mix, and customer experience indicators.

• Segment partners by tier, maturity, and potential; deploy differentiated performance improvement plans.

• Ensure consistent execution of ZEISS retail excellence standards, adapted to each partner format.

Training, Capability & Partner Development

• Define retail capability requirements and partner development roadmaps aligned with ZBPP priorities.

• Deploy role- and tier-specific training programs with Sales, Marketing, and Training teams.

• Monitor training compliance, certification status, and capability maturity across the network.

• Support premium product storytelling and value-based selling across partner types.

Marketing & In-Store Activation

• Translate global ZEISS retail marketing strategies into effective local retail execution across all ZBPP formats.

• Govern campaigns, visual merchandising, and POS materials by partner tier in coordination with local Marketing teams.

• Ensure consistent brand presentation and safeguard ZEISS brand integrity across all retail touchpoints.

Governance, Reporting & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the regional retail excellence reference for ZBPP execution.

• Provide structured reporting, performance insights, and actionable recommendations to the Head of ZBPP and relevant stakeholders.

• Influence partners, distributors, and cross-functional teams through standards and governance, without direct line authority.

• Collaborate with partner performance and activation teams to translate retail excellence frameworks into effective commercial execution.

Required Knowledge & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Retail Management, or related field; Optometry degree optional. MBA or equivalent is a plus.

• 7+ years of experience in retail development, retail excellence, or commercial excellence.

• Proven experience managing multi-format or multi-tier optical retail networks.

• Experience working with global design agencies and retail rollout projects.

• Background in premium retail, optical, healthcare, FMCG, or luxury sectors.

• Experience in international and matrix organizations is required.

• Strong understanding of premium retail, partner programs, and customer experience.

• Excellent project management and execution skills.

• Ability to adapt retail standards to different partner tiers while preserving brand equity.

• Strong analytical, KPI-driven mindset.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Autonomous, structured, and results-oriented approach.

Diversity is a core value at ZEISS. We welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, or identity.

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team: