Director of Product

Digital innovation is at the top of the strategic agenda of trendsetter Hans Anders Retail Group (Hans Anders, eyes + more en Direct Optik). What’s more, the international concern is building a lab specifically for this purpose. In addition to top-notch service and the best value for money in the eye and ear care industry, Hans Anders Retail Group is aiming for a top-of-the-bill digital customer experience. This is why they are hiring a Director of Product. 

About Hans Anders Retail Group

Hans Anders Retail Group sees the world of eye and ear care through a different lens. In 1982, the three founders discovered a Japanese eyewear collection that was both high quality and affordable, which tipped them off to the hefty margins of Dutch opticians. They started their own business, Hans Anders. ‘Hans’, because two of the founders were called Hans. And ‘Anders’, because it’s Dutch for ‘different’, which is their approach to eye and ear care. Their mission is crystal clear: bringing sharp vision and hearing (as of 1999) to the masses.

As of 2021, the successful format is owned by 3i Group, a leading international investor. It has flourished into one of Europe’s fastest-growing eye and ear care concerns, Hans Anders Retail Group, operating the brands Hans Anders, eyes + more, and Direkt Optik. They currently have around 620 stores in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, and Sweden.

Digital Innovation Lab in Rotterdam
Rapid growth and expansion are key at Hans Anders Retail Group. Their ambition is to open more brick-and-mortar stores and take the lead through digital innovation. They are enhancing their omnichannel position and building a dedicated Digital Innovation Lab in Rotterdam. This will be a creative hot spot and the cradle of Hans Anders Retail Group’s digital future – from strategy and developing new tech solutions to optimization and international implementation. 

Vacancy: Director of Product

The Director of Product will continue to develop the end-to-end digital customer experience of Hans Anders Retail Group, both online and in-store. In collaboration with IT, this director will also be a driving force behind a successful innovation process. To that end, the Director of Product will develop a structured and transparent operating model. 

The importance of online interaction within customer journeys continues to increase. Great examples include the digital means to find out more about frames, lens types, special coatings, and eye tests, as well as virtual tools to try on glasses and digital tools to book appointments. These touchpoints have a direct effect on sales. That’s why the Director of Product focuses on enhancing both the mobile and desktop website and applications supporting current and future business goals.  

In addition to online, the Director of Product will focus on digital in-store experience in order to help customers better. A good experience will contribute to the efficiency of physical stores and increase customer value by optimizing conversion and boosting cross- and upselling. One of the focus areas will be making customer data available on iPads in-store and feeding in-store preferences back into the system.  

What does success look like in this position? Releasing user-friendly products that run smoothly, upgrading applications, and developing the ecosystem further. This is achieved by collaborating with digital experts and third-party developers as well as by creating application partnerships and cross-functional teams. The Director of Product will also coach a growing team of four Product Owners (Online Marketing Automation, Advice & Appointments, Salesforce, and Website) and a UX Lead.

Due to experience, the ideal candidate is adept at defining the required features clearly and translating them into product requirements perfectly. Smooth cooperation with IT is key, as is the ability to represent both the voice of the business and the voice of the users. Experience within the eye and ear care industry is not necessary for this role, but experience within a transactional online or omnichannel B2C environment is. 

Hybrid working is the norm at Hans Anders Retail Group. However, for this role, face-to-face contact will be important, especially initially. The Director of Product will be based at the new Digital Innovation Lab in Rotterdam. Occasional visits to the offices Gorinchem, Hamburg and other cities are also on the cards.

Interested? 

Hans Anders Retail Group has appointed Top of Minds to fill this vacancy.
To express your interest, please contact Jessica Lim at jessica.lim@topofminds.com.