Irinel Popescu started his career at METRO 18 years ago, as Team Leader of the Sports Camping Department in the METRO Store in his hometown, Craiova, and in 2006 he joined the Real Romania team, as store manager. Between 2011-2015 he held the position of Regional Director at Tesco Hungary where he coordinated several store formats: proximity, supermarket and hypermarket.

He currently coordinates the Retail department within METRO Cash & Carry Romania and his main responsibility is the implementation and development of the LaDoiPasi franchise program, the largest retail franchise network in Romania, dedicated to independent store owners, initiated by METRO since 2012.