Store Manager - Mandarin Speaking

NorthStone Talent Partners; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

NorthStone Talent Partners is seeking a hands-on operations leader to establish its first Melbourne studio, coordinating with Singapore HQ. You will oversee local setup, lease negotiations, vendor onboarding and recruitment, delivering the project on-time and within budget.

Reporting to the Singapore team, you will manage cross-functional activities, drive procurement, ensure compliance, and develop a repeatable opening playbook for future Australian locations.

Qualifications

• Experience opening a business or store in Australia, including leasing and fit-out.
• Fluent English and Mandarin, daily collaboration with Singapore headquarters.
• Hands-on experience managing budgets, suppliers and timelines.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate professional advisers on company setup and compliance.
• Manage company registration, banking setup and other establishment requirements.
• Work with immigration advisers to coordinate staff transfers from overseas.
• Identify and assess studio locations, negotiate and manage the commercial lease.
• Plan and oversee the studio fit-out with designers, builders and contractors.
• Source and manage suppliers, and lead procurement of equipment and fittings.
• Recruit and onboard the local studio team.
• Lead opening preparations so the studio launches on time and ready to trade.
• Build and manage the establishment budget, timeline and milestones.
• Report progress, risks and decisions to Singapore headquarters on a regular basis.
• Act as the main local point of contact for headquarters and external partners.
• Turn learnings from the Melbourne launch into a repeatable opening playbook.
• Support planning for future studio openings in other Australian cities.

Skills

Business operations

Project management

New-store openings

Job description

Our client is a premium portrait photography brand with a growing international presence across Asia. The brand has earned a loyal following for its personalised, high-touch client experience and its refined, natural aesthetic. With a proven studio model and strong momentum in its existing markets, the business is now expanding into Australia, starting with its first studio in Melbourne.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys building a business from the ground up. You will lead the local setup of the Australian entity and the launch of the Melbourne studio, working closely with the Singapore headquarters team.

Key responsibilities

Coordinate professional advisers (legal, accounting and tax) on company setup and compliance

Manage company registration, banking setup and other establishment requirements

Work with qualified immigration advisers to coordinate staff transfers from overseas

Identify and assess studio locations, then negotiate and manage the commercial lease

Plan and oversee the studio fit-out with designers, builders and contractors

Source and manage suppliers, and lead procurement of equipment and fittings

Recruit and onboard the local studio team

Lead opening preparations so the studio launches on time and ready to trade

Build and manage the establishment budget, timeline and key milestones

Report progress, risks and decisions to Singapore headquarters on a regular basis

Act as the main local point of contact for headquarters and external partners

Turn learnings from the Melbourne launch into a repeatable opening playbook

Support planning for future studio openings in other Australian cities

About you

Previous experience in business operations, project management or new-store openings

Fluent English and Mandarin, working daily with the Singapore headquarters team and local partners

Hands-on experience managing budgets, suppliers and timelines independently

Experience opening a business or store in Australia, including leasing and fit-out, is highly regarded

Background in retail, photography, beauty or other multi-site services

Organised, commercially sharp and comfortable owning outcomes in a start-up setting