1. 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:

• Availability

• Productivity

• Customer experience
  • Drive profitability by achieving sales targets without compromising operational standards
  • Ensure promotions and pricing are executed accurately and operationally correctly

3. 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 transfers

• Returns and shrinkage control
  • Ensure store pricing is implemented strictly as per approved norms and matrices

4. 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 involvement

5. 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

Desired Candidate Profile

• Confident, decisive communicator with the ability to lead, influence, and motivate multi-site teams

• Proven experience leading operations across multiple stores, delivering consistent execution and compliance

• Strong analytical capability to interpret complex operational and commercial reports and translate them into clear corrective actions

• Advanced knowledge of retail operations, SOP-driven environments, and FMCG retail dynamics

• Strong coaching and mentoring skills, with emphasis on operational discipline and store leadership

• Advanced knowledge of merchandising, stock management, inventory control, and shrinkage prevention

• High level of operational ownership, with a hands-on, on-ground leadership style

• Ability to balance short-term execution with structured planning and continuous improvement initiatives

• Strong compliance mindset, with experience working in regulated retail environments (Health & Safety, Food Safety, audits, municipality requirements).