Senior Operations & Process Optimization Specialist

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.

• 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

• 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)
• 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

• 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 Linked In Learning
• Monthly Learning Hour for training, discovery and learning
• In‑house training courses (feedback, leadership, Insights®)
• DEI initiatives to exchange and strengthen our involvement around these themes

At Columbia Sportswear, we are committed to fostering a sense of belonging by encouraging personal connections at all levels, creating a cohesive and supportive work environment. 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.

Expected Pay: CHF
105120 - CHF
147240