- Operational Excellence & SOP Compliance
- Conduct frequent and structured store visits with a primary focus on operational execution and compliance
- Ensure strict adherence to all Operations SOPs, policies, and processes across all stores
- Guarantee full compliance with Health & Safety, Food Safety, Municipality, and internal audit requirements
- Identify operational risks, non-compliances, and execution gaps, and implement immediate corrective actions
- Ensure consistent standards across:· Store hygiene and cleanliness· Back-office discipline and documentation· Receiving, replenishment, FIFO, expiry control· Cash handling and loss prevention
- Act as the first escalation point for operational incidents, audit findings, and compliance breaches.2. Store Performance, Sales & Cost Control (SUPPORTED BY OPERATION)
- Drive store performance through strong operational fundamentals
- Set clear focus points with Store Managers to improve:
AvailabilityProductivityCustomer experience
- Drive profitability by achieving sales targets without compromising operational standards
- Ensure promotions and pricing are executed accurately and operationally correctly3. Inventory, Stock Control & Shrinkage
- Review and analyse stock and sales reports, monitoring over-stocking and under-stocking
- Ensure effective inventory and warehouse management, including:
Order management; Stock consolidation and transfersReturns and shrinkage control
- Ensure store pricing is implemented strictly as per approved norms and matrices4. People Management – Operational Capability Focus
- Coach and mentor Store Managers with emphasis on operational leadership and discipline
- Ensure all Store Managers and key staff are fully trained on SOPs and operational processes
- Support recruitment, induction, and training to ensure stores are operationally staffed and stable
- Support grievance handling and disciplinary actions with HR, particularly where operational risk or non-compliance exists
- Lead by example through hands-on operational involvement5. Reporting, Alignment & Continuous Improvement
- Attend to regional meetings (online or on-site), providing fact-based feedback from the field
- Escalate recurring operational gaps with structured recommendations
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives grounded in store-level operational realities Confident, decisive communicator with the ability to lead, influence, and motivate multi-site teamsProven experience leading operations across multiple stores, delivering consistent execution and complianceStrong analytical capability to interpret complex operational and commercial reports and translate them into clear corrective actionsAdvanced knowledge of retail operations, SOP-driven environments, and FMCG retail dynamicsStrong coaching and mentoring skills, with emphasis on operational discipline and store leadershipAdvanced knowledge of merchandising, stock management, inventory control, and shrinkage preventionHigh level of operational ownership, with a hands-on, on-ground leadership styleAbility to balance short-term execution with structured planning and continuous improvement initiativesStrong compliance mindset, with experience working in regulated retail environments (Health & Safety, Food Safety, audits, municipality requirements).
