Chief Operating Officer (COO) - OWNDAYS, Japan Retail Operations & Merchandising

The Brand: OWNDAYS - Retail Excellence from TokyoOWNDAYS is a highly successful, D2C fashion eyewear brand founded in Tokyo, Japan, in 1989. We disrupted the optical industry by integrating high-quality, fashion-forward design . Our signature promise: Premium glasses ready in 20 minutes. As the core leadership team, we are seeking a dynamic executive to spearhead the next phase of operational innovation and maintain the gold standard of retail excellence within Japan.The Mission: Precision, Innovation, and Core Market MasteryThe COO will be the executive leader responsible for ensuring the successful maintenance and continuous improvement of the OWNDAYS retail standard across the entire Japan network. This role requires bilingual proficiency (English & Japanese) and the ability to combine world-class strategic planning with flawless operational execution.Core AccountabilitiesJapan Retail P&L Ownership: Drive efficiency, revenue growth, and profitability across the entire Japan retail store network. Establish and strictly enforce premium SOPs to deliver the iconic, high-speed OWNDAYS customer experience across all Japanese territories.Core Merchandising Strategy & Inventory Optimization: Direct the centralized merchandising strategy, overseeing inventory allocation, buying alignment, and visual execution (VM) within Japan. Ensure optimal inventory turnover (GMROI) to maintain sales velocity and fashion relevance in the domestic market.Operational Benchmark & Standardization: Define and continuously refine the operational blueprint, logistics, and supply chain strategy that serves as the benchmark for the entire OWNDAYS organization. Ensure all systems are designed for peak profitability and brand experience.Executive Alignment & Reporting: Serve as a key operational liaison with the Executive Leadership Team, ensuring seamless, bilingual communication, alignment on core KPIs, financial reporting, and cultural integration of the OWNDAYS standard.Operational Innovation: Lead the integration of advanced retail technology and automation within stores and the regional supply chain to continuously enhance productivity, accuracy, and the in-store customer journey in the core market.The Ideal LeaderExperience & Tenure: 10-15 years of progressive senior executive leadership experience in High-Volume Retail Operations, Merchandising, and P&L management, preferably within the Fashion/D2C/Fast Retailspace.Mandatory Language: Fluency in both English and Japanese (verbal and written) is required for strategic communication and seamless integration with the leadership team in Tokyo.Strategic Pedigree: Prior experience from a Top-Tier Strategy Consulting Firm is highly valued, demonstrating superior analytical rigor and the capability for enterprise-wide transformation.Impact: A proven, demonstrable track record of successfully scaling and optimizing a high-volume retail brand within the rigorous demands of the Japanese market.Entrepreneurial experience: Demonstrated history of operating with an owner's mindset, regardless of title. Experience either as a founder/co-founder.