Vanja Marić

Managing Director – Croatia & Slovenia @ KiK Textilien und Non-Food GmbH

About

I am a results-driven Retail & Sales Executive with 15+ years of experience transforming retail operations across multiple markets. I specialize in building high-performing teams, optimizing customer experience, and delivering measurable business growth. Throughout my career, I’ve launched new brands, scaled national operations, and led organizational change for top international retailers including Lidl, REWE, Kaufland, and XXXLutz. I thrive on creating strategies that combine operational excellence, data-driven decision-making, and people development, turning ambitious goals into real results. Key Achievements: • Delivered double digit profit growth and increased customer satisfaction by 21% at XXXLutz through strategic restructuring and leadership transformation • Launched Mobile Outfitters in Croatia, achieving +32% turnover above plan in the first year • Scaled national retail operations for Kaufland with 2,500+ employees, improving efficiency and profitability • Built Promotion Management departments from scratch, increasing overall profit margin by 5,3% Passionate about mentoring future leaders, driving cross-functional collaboration, and creating lasting operational excellence, I aim to make every retail operation more efficient, profitable, and customer-centric.

Country

City

Croatia

Industry

Retail

Skill

Retail, Business Planning, Sales, Strategic Planning, Negotiation, Import/Export Operations, New Business Development, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Retail Sales, Business Development, Key Performance Indicators, Market Entry & Expansion, Retail Operations & Store Openings , Team Leadership & People Development , Sales Management & KPI Optimization , Internal Audit & Compliance, Stock Control & Inventory Accuracy , Internal Auditing & Compliance , Data Analysis & Reporting , Retail Operations Oversight

Experience

Managing Director – Croatia & Slovenia

KiK Textilien und Non-Food GmbH

2026-1 - Present · 9 mos

Zagreb, Croatia

Regional Director of Retail Sales at Mömax and Möbelix

XXXLutz Österreich

2022-12 - 2025-3 · 2 yrs 4 mos

Austria

Led multi-region retail operations (6+ stores, 100+ employees) with full P&L responsibility. Focused on profitability, customer satisfaction, and leadership culture transformation across Vienna and Graz. Key Achievements: • Delivered double digit profit growth through operational excellence and process optimization • improved customer satisfaction by 21% by reallocating warehouse budgets into free home delivery services • Introduced a team-based sales bonus model that boosted motivation and collaboration while reducing internal competition • Reduced operational costs by 13% via targeted efficiency programs and leadership training

CEO / Managing Director

Mobile Outfitters

2021-11 - 2022-11 · 1 yr 1 mo

Croatia

Launched and scaled the Mobile Outfitters brand in Croatia, building national operations and driving 32% higher turnover than planned in the first year. Key Achievements: • Opened multiple retail locations in top shopping centers through strategic lease negotiations • Built and led high-performing sales and operations teams across Croatia • Increased brand awareness by 27% through targeted marketing and digital campaigns

Director of Retail Sales | Head of Promotion Management | Head of Supply Chain Management

Kaufland Hrvatska k.d.

2015-10 - 2021-10 · 6 yrs 1 mo

Zagreb, Croatia

Progressive leadership career across Supply Chain, Promotion Management, and Retail Sales, driving operational excellence, organizational transformation, and profitability across the Croatian market. Oversaw 40+ stores and 2,500+ employees nationwide. Drove large-scale transformation projects focused on efficiency, growth, and process excellence. Key Achievements: • Improved profit margin by 5,3% through data-driven promotion planning • Reduced stockouts in stores from 4,1% to 2,2% via supply chain system redesign • Delivered €1,2 M annual savings through the “Excess Stock After Promotions” project • Built the Promotion Management Department from scratch, setting new performance standards

Head of Retail Management

REWE International AG

2013-7 - 2015-9 · 2 yrs 3 mos

Zagreb, Croatia

Directed national stock accuracy initiatives and process optimization across 60 stores, aligning finance, retail, and supply chain functions. Key Achievements: • Enhanced transparency and efficiency through structured audit programs • Implemented a new Controlling framework that minimized stock variances • Strengthened financial accountability across all retail regions

Regional Sales Manager → Project Lead Internal Audit

Lidl Hrvatska

2006-2 - 2013-6 · 7 yrs 5 mos

Zagreb, Croatia

Founding member of Lidl Croatia’s launch team. Progressed from leading 4 stores and 100 employees to managing internal audits and developing customer-focused structures. Key Achievements: • Achieved double-digit sales growth during the first three years while cutting operational costs by 38% • Mentored Store Managers: 3 out of 4 promoted to higher positions under direct guidance • Led cross-functional audits improving compliance and transparency • Implemented CRM structures to enhance customer engagement and feedback