Senior Training Specialist and Retail HR Partner

ABOUT THE ROLE: 

Partner Brands by providing end-to-end HR support and capability-building for retail employees across JP DTC (VF-owned stores in Japan) and distributor partner networks, ensuring a high-performing, engaged, and future-ready retail workforce aligned with VF’s business strategy. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Include, but not limited to: 

1. Talent Attraction & Hiring 

• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle for JP retail employees, from candidate sourcing through onboarding. 

• Partner with RPOs and manpower agencies to support hiring of temporary and contingent retail staff, ensuring contractual terms are aligned, compliant, and executed as agreed. 

• Coordinate headcount requisitions and manage internal hiring processes, ensuring alignment with workforce planning and timelines. 

2. Performance & Talent Review 

• In partnership with HR COEs, lead the annual performance review process for all JP retail employees, including communications, guidance to retail managers, stakeholder support, and reporting of outcomes. 

• Support retail talent review processes in consultation with Retail Managers, HR COEs, and Country Directors, focusing on capability, potential, and succession readiness. 

3. Employee Relations 

• Lead and manage all employee relations (ER) matters for JP retail employees, including issue diagnosis, investigation, stakeholder engagement, and resolution in line with VF policies and local labor requirements. 

4. Training & Development 

• Execute and deliver stand‑up and in‑market training programs for Retail Operations and retail employees across JP DTC and distributor partners, including (but not limited to):  

• Seasonal product training 

• Sales capability and service excellence 

• Career and capability development 

• Roll out corporate and functional training programs for JP office‑based staff, such as soft skills, people management, and leadership development initiatives. 

• Partner with APAC Academy Brand Partners and Leadership COE to support courseware design, ensuring local Japanese market nuances are embedded for relevance and effectiveness. 

• Evaluate training impact using sales and operational KPIs, as well as qualitative participant feedback; identify gaps and continuous improvement opportunities. 

• Drive post‑training follow‑up actions and coach managers on using reinforcement tools to sustain learning outcomes and assess ongoing effectiveness. 

5. JP Office Engagement 

• Support the JP Platform Head in planning and delivering employee engagement initiatives through online and offline learning platforms, fostering a strong VF culture that supports business strategy and employee experience in Japan. 

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Bachelor’s degree or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a large multinational corporation within the retail apparel industry.  

• 4–5 years’ experience as an HR Business Partner and/or within Retail Operations; experience in retail training is strongly preferred.  

• Excellent command of Japanese and English (spoken and written).  

• Strong understanding of the Japanese market, including cultural norms, workforce expectations, and social trends. 

Personal Attributes 

• Agile and resilient, with the ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, evolving retail environment.  

• Highly collaborative, with strong stakeholder partnership skills across brands, functions, and markets.  

• Proactive problem solver with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.  

• Passion for retail, outdoor, or lifestyle brands is a strong advantage.