Reports to: Omni Fulfillment Manager
Permanent contract
EMEA HQ, Geneva, Switzerland
Hybrid (2 days/week home-office)
Start date: at the earliest availability
About The Position
We are looking for a Senior Operational & Process Optimization Specialist to join our team in Geneva, which manages order operations and account services for Columbia Sportswear’s international distributors network across EMEA, APAC, and Latin America.
The team works in close partnership with Account Operations Leads (AOLs), who own the direct relationship with distributors and act as the day‑to‑day commercial interface. Your role is the operational engine behind that relationship: you ensure that orders are correctly processed, reporting is produced on time, customs documentation is accurate, and the tools and platforms the team relies on are maintained and improved.
This is a role with four operational pillars of equal weight — order management, reporting, customs documentation, and system maintenance — combined with a growing process improvement and automation dimension. The balance today is approximately 80% operational and 20% improvement, and the ambition is to shift that balance over time as the team’s ways of working mature.
You will bring seniority to the team through the depth of your operational and technical knowledge, a genuine appetite for automation and continuous improvement, and the ability to proactively spot bottlenecks and opportunities to automate manual tasks.
How You’ll Make The Difference
Run a reliable order management operation
* Process and validate distributor orders in SAP: amendments, audits, value‑added service requests, compliance checks
* Work in coordination with Finance and Logistic Service Providers to manage order release holds
* Ensure order accuracy and timely release to meet distributor shipment deadlines
Own customs documentation end‑to‑end
* Prepare and maintain the seasonal customs table (HS codes, material descriptions, countries of origin) used by distributors to clear goods through customs
* Coordinate between distributors and the internal customs team to gather, validate, and consolidate the required information
* Reduce the volume of back‑and‑forth by bringing structure and clear communication to the process
Produce and maintain business reporting
* Build, maintain, and distribute automated reports to distributors and internal stakeholders via Power Automate and Power BI
* Ensure reporting is accurate, timely, and adapted to each audience
Maintain the tools and platforms the team depends on
* Manage and troubleshoot internal platforms used by the team and by distributors (SharePoint, documentation tools)
* Handle access management, platform updates, and day‑to‑day troubleshooting requests
Drive process improvement and automation
* Identify manual or repetitive tasks that could be automated or simplified
* Lead or contribute to improvement initiatives, working with the analytics team where relevant
* Document ways of working and contribute to building a more scalable operational model
YOU ARE
* Operationally rigorous: you know what it means to run a process reliably under time pressure, and you take ownership of accuracy and delivery
* System‑minded and curious: you naturally wonder why things work the way they do, and you’re motivated to find cleaner, faster, more automated ways of doing them
* A clear communicator who does not wait to be asked: you surface issues early, translate operational complexity into concise messages, and keep the right people informed
* Comfortable working behind the scenes in support of a customer‑facing team: you understand that the quality of your work directly shapes what AOLs are able to deliver to distributors
* Autonomous and self‑organizing in a deadline‑driven environment: peak seasons require sustained focus and the ability to manage multiple priorities without losing accuracy
YOU HAVE
* 5 to 7 years of experience in supply chain operations, with direct exposure to order management or customer service operations in a B2B, product‑based environment
* A background in a seasonal or collection‑based industry (apparel, fashion, consumer goods, or similar): you understand what it means operationally when a new shipping season begins
* Solid SAP knowledge, specifically in order management functionality
* Advanced Excel skills (non‑negotiable)
* Working knowledge of Power BI and Power Automate; experience building or maintaining automated reports is a plus
* Proven involvement in at least one process improvement or automation project, alongside operational responsibilities
* Fluency in English, the working language of the team and of all distributor interactions
Perks & Benefits
* Significant discounts on Columbia and Sorel products
* Soft mobility policy
* Health insurance allowance for employees in Switzerland
* Pilates and yoga classes on our premises, and running groups or sports activities
* Unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning
* A monthly Learning Hour for training, discovery and learning
* Unlock your potential: access to in‑house training courses (feedback, leadership, Insights)
* DEI initiatives to exchange and strengthen our involvement around these themes
About The Culture
* At Columbia Sportswear, we value an inclusive and open culture that emphasizes the absence of barriers between team members. We are committed to fostering a sense of belonging by encouraging personal connections at all levels, which creates a cohesive and supportive work environment.
* Team members serve as ambassadors for our brand, finding motivation in being part of an organization dedicated to activities they are passionate about. This dedication reflects our commitment to building a team that takes pride in our products and values.
* We offer the opportunity to work for a US‑based company within a multicultural environment, where your job has an impact across different countries.
* Our “Always Be Learning” culture of continuous learning enables our employees to identify and develop skills that will enable them to continue to grow within the company.
* “Unlock Your Potential” is the spirit that characterizes our vision of employees’ development: to offer them opportunities to grow, in their job, in their team or even to change jobs completely. We grow our people to grow our business.
This job description is not meant to be an all‑inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.
At Columbia Sportswear Company (CSC), we’re committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone has the same opportunity to thrive. We welcome talent from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on age, gender, nationality, race, religion or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of our success as a global brand. We aim to recruit, develop, and retain exceptional people, ensuring fair practices and transparency in line with evolving standards. We are committed to equal pay for equal work and make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.
Expected Pay: CHF105,120 - CHF147,240. Pay decisions are determined by multiple factors, including job competitiveness within the market, a candidate’s capabilities and skills, years of experience, and internal equity.
The expected pay listed on this job posting reflects the gross expected pay for Full Time positions. This pay disclosure will not apply to roles subject to different pay structures due to age or employment category (such as minors, apprentices, or interns) permitted under applicable law/CBA.
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