1. OPERATIONAL MANAGER
2. Main Purpose of the Role
The main purpose of the Operational Manager role is to oversee, support, and manage operational functions across all (83) stores and departments to ensure effective business operations, compliance, profitability, and operational continuity.
The role includes crisis management, operational planning, store support, layout planning, maintenance oversight, stock control, shrinkage prevention, staff support, and ensuring operational procedures and company standards are implemented and maintained across all stores.
The Operational Manager is further responsible for assisting Operational Managers, Virtual Managers, store management, and Directors with strategic planning, operational guidance, compliance monitoring, and implementation of company procedures and operational initiatives.
3. Key Responsibilities
Crisis Management
- Ensuring seamless business operations during crises.
- Developing and implementing crisis management strategies.
- Managing operational incidents and ensuring business continuity.
Operational Support
- Providing support to Operational Managers to ensure successful store operations.
- Assisting Virtual Managers with decision-making and operational planning.
- Supporting stores with operational challenges and escalations.
- Providing guidance and operational procedures to stores.
Communication and Planning
- Maintaining effective communication across all operational departments.
- Ensuring timely follow-up on operational tasks, projects, and deadlines.
- Planning operational requirements and ensuring implementation thereof.
Administration and Store Operations
- Reviewing store visit reports from Operational Managers.
- Conducting store visits and submitting reports to Virtual and Operational Managers.
- Verifying staff compliment per store and planning accordingly.
- Updating store information on Connecteam.
- Sending trading hour updates to stores.
- Reviewing alarm testing reports.
- Creating Operational Managers’ schedules.
- Approving guest house bookings for Operational Managers.
Human Resources Support
- Reviewing manager and 2IC monthly allowances and appointed salaries.
- Advertising new positions.
- Ensuring contingency plans are in place for staff shortages.
- Approving leave relievers, casual staff requests, and fixed-term/permanent contracts.
- Processing leave requests on Sage.
- Ensuring new staff appointments receive correct salaries and allowances.
New Store Planning and Setup
- Planning and coordinating new store openings.
- Creating floor plans and store layouts.
- Coordinating store training and opening plans.
- Updating store opening checklists.
- Visiting new stores during setup and opening phases.
- Loading required documentation onto store computers.
- Coordinating staffing and operational requirements for new stores.
Layout Planning and Store Support
- Planning, printing, and implementing store layouts.
- Capturing layouts and coordinating dashboard updates with Virtual Managers.
- Identifying and removing unsuitable SKUs from layouts.
- Supporting stores and Virtual Managers with layout, stock loss, and count queries.
- Planning and implementing new movements and store planning initiatives.
Stock Management and Shrinkage Control
- Reviewing daily figures and planning accordingly.
- Analyzing stock take results and implementing shrinkage prevention strategies.
- Planning ICU and full stock takes.
- Monitoring stock loss prevention procedures.
- Ensuring damages, returns, and stock procedures are followed.
- Monitoring gap scanning and stock count procedures.
Maintenance, IT, and Health & Safety
- Assisting stores with maintenance approvals.
- Following up on maintenance deadlines and store faults.
- Supporting Health and Safety compliance.
- Obtaining quotations and approvals for maintenance and operational requirements.
- Monitoring IT work and store IT faults.
- Approving security guard requirements for stores.
Monitoring and Reporting
- Monitoring warning reports and operational escalations.
- Reviewing operational compliance across all stores.
- Ensuring operational reports and procedures are completed and maintained.
4. Store Visit Responsibilities
The Operational Manager is responsible for conducting and overseeing store inspections including, but not limited to:
Exterior
- Shopfront condition and cleanliness.
- Pavement and parking cleanliness.
- Exterior signage condition.
Interior
- Store cleanliness and presentation.
- Functionality of lighting, signage, counters, fridges, gondolas, and displays.
- Security controls and customer service standards.
- Condition of ceilings, wiring, trunking, and branding.
Facilities and Equipment
- Functionality of safes, computers, scanners, printers, generators, alarms, panic buttons, cameras, radios, Wi-Fi, and related equipment.
- Cleanliness and functionality of toilets, storerooms, receiving areas, and roller doors.
Operations and Procedures
- Floor walks and merchandising standards.
- Stock control procedures.
- Shrinkage controls and operational compliance.
- Customer service and promotional implementation.
Administration and Training
- File management and documentation.
- Staff training compliance.
- Gap scanning, stock counts, floats, and operational procedures.
5. Shrinkage and Stock Loss Prevention Responsibilities
The Operational Manager is responsible for ensuring implementation and monitoring of:
- Till procedures and till security.
- Refund and purchase procedures.
- Receiving and delivery controls.
- Daily drop procedures.
- Damage and return procedures.
- Security checks and store closing procedures.
- Layout implementation and pricing compliance.
- Alarm and panic system functionality.
- Stock scanning and stock management procedures.
6. Cleaning, Maintenance, and Operational Standards
The Operational Manager is responsible for ensuring:
- Daily, weekly, and deep cleaning standards are maintained.
- Expired stock and damages are removed.
- Maintenance issues are identified and resolved.
- Stores are clean, operational, and compliant with company standards.
- Shelves, signage, counters, fridges, and facilities remain operational and presentable.
7. Procedures and Compliance
The Operational Manager is responsible for implementing, monitoring, and ensuring compliance with company procedures including:
- Opening and closing procedures.
- Cash-up and handover procedures.
- Stock take and stock control procedures.
- Customer service procedures.
- Health and safety procedures.
- Company rules and policies.
- Employee disciplinary and operational procedures.
- Maintenance and security procedures.
- Financial and credit card procedures.
- Store operational procedures on Connecteam.
8. Seasonal and Operational Planning
The Operational Manager is responsible for planning and coordinating operational requirements for peak trading periods including:
- Christmas planning.
- Casual staffing requirements.
- Store float planning.
- Store decoration planning.
- Trading hour coordination.
- Operational and security readiness.
9. Daily Duties
The Employee’s daily responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Monitoring operational compliance across stores.
- Assisting Operational Managers and Virtual Managers with operational support.
- Conducting operational planning and follow-ups.
- Reviewing operational reports and figures.
- Monitoring stock loss prevention and operational compliance.
- Assisting with store escalations, maintenance, IT, and staffing matters.
- Ensuring implementation of operational procedures and standards.
10. Weekly / Monthly Duties
- Reviewing operational performance and compliance reports.
- Conducting store visits and audits.
- Planning store layouts, stock takes, and operational improvements.
- Monitoring staffing, leave, and payroll-related operational requirements.
- Reviewing maintenance, Health and Safety, and operational compliance matters.
- Assisting with new store planning and implementation.
11. Systems and Tools Used
- Connecteam
- Sage
- Operational Dashboards
- Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
- Store operational systems
- Company reporting and communication systems
12. Additional Responsibilities
- Assisting Directors with operational planning and business requirements.
- Assisting departments with operational guidance and support.
- Supporting stores during operational crises and escalations.
- Performing any additional operational duties reasonably related to the requirements of the business.
Pay: R600 000,00 - R1 200 000,00 per year
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Bloemfontein, Free State: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Education:
Experience:
- Retail Operations : 8 years (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
