Retail Operations Manager

Top Oil; Ireland; Hybrid; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Top Oil is seeking a Retail Operations Manager to oversee safe, efficient operations across the CoCo store network nationwide with daily travel to stores and periodic Dublin office visits. You will drive safety, compliance, and profitability while leading the Store Management Team and collaborating with corporate functions.

The role requires a hands-on leader capable of building strong supplier relationships, optimizing pricing and promotions, and delivering KPIs across multiple locations in

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in management roles in fast-moving retail
• Proven ability to lead large teams and drive KPI targets
• Experience with safety, compliance and process improvement
• Full clean driving license and own vehicle; readiness for nationwide travel

Responsibilities

• Oversee safe, compliant operation of the CoCo store network nationwide
• Lead pricing, promotions, and category management to maximise profitability
• Deliver sales, profitability and margin targets with P&L accountability
• Develop supplier partnerships and manage vendor performance
• Coach Store Management Team and build succession planning

Skills

Leadership

People management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Driving licence

Job description

Top Oil is recruiting for a Retail Operations Manager to join our team. This role will require to travel to the stores on a daily basis and to our Dublin office periodically, therefore the successful candidate can be based anywhere in Ireland.

Role Specifications:

You are responsible for safe and efficient operations within the Company Owned Company Operated retail stores nationwide. In addition, you are accountable for achievement of safety objectives, profitability targets, operational KPIs including customer service targets and third-party vendor relationships. Working closely with the corporate teams to deliver results for the business.

Key Responsibilities:

Safety, Compliance & Operational Excellence

• Hold overall responsibility for the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of the Company Owned Company Operated (CoCo) store network.
• Lead the business with a Safety-First mindset, ensuring full adherence to all Company health, safety, environmental, and operational policies, including WeCommit, Hazard Elimination, Accident/Injury Management, and other HSE programmes.
• Ensure all food safety, regulatory, and operational standards are consistently achieved across the CoCo estate.
• Lead and support the implementation of strategic change initiatives in accordance with the Company's Management of Change principles and processes.
• Deliver agreed sales, profitability, and margin targets, ensuring achievement of the annual P&L objectives for the CoCo business.
• Analyse sales, category performance, consumer trends, and market insights to identify opportunities that drive revenue growth and enhance profitability.
• Develop and implement effective pricing, promotional, and category management strategies to maximise sales and margin performance.
• Identify and deliver commercial growth opportunities, including new product development and emerging industry trends.
• Manage channel expenses and drive operational efficiencies to optimise business performance.

Supplier & Category Management

• Build and maintain strong supplier partnerships, ensuring robust commercial agreements and service level performance.
• Regularly review supplier terms and conditions to maximise value, reduce costs, and support strategic business objectives.
• Provide market-leading insight into food retailing and foodservice trends to enhance and develop the food offering across the network.

Retail Operations & Customer Experience

• Ensure effective sales support across marketing, advertising, point-of-sale (POS), promotional activity, and technology solutions to increase customer footfall, sales conversion, and profitability.
• Develop and implement operating policies, standards, programmes, and best-practice models that support the successful delivery of CoCo store objectives.
• Drive operational excellence and a consistently high-quality customer experience across all locations.

Leadership & People Development

• Lead and inspire the Store Management Team to create a high-performance culture focused on accountability, engagement, and results.
• Develop, coach, and motivate managers to build a strong succession pipeline of capable and values-driven leaders.
• Ensure best practice in all people management activities, including performance management, talent development, training, employee engagement, and compliance with HR policies.
• Establish a structured management cadence and communication framework to support alignment, performance, and information sharing across the business.

Reporting & Governance

• Provide regular reporting, analysis, and performance updates on key operational, commercial, financial, and people metrics.
• Monitor business performance against agreed KPIs and implement corrective actions where required.
• Undertake other duties and projects as reasonably required to support business objectives.

Professional skills:

• An established leader 10+ years’ experience with a proven track record of success in achieving management targets in a fast moving, results driven culture
• Experience gained working in operational management roles through ongoing management
• A manager who is able to lead, motivate and inspire a high performing team to maximise results working with both direct reports and in a matrix environment
• Ability to use own initiative and actively empower own team
• Can work at pace in a dynamic environment
• Goal orientated with a track record of success
• Highly skilled communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
• High levels of accuracy with good attention to detail in a time pressured environment
• Full clean Driving License and own vehicle is essential for this role, as nationwide travel is required.

Education and experience:

• Demonstrable skills gained in a similar management role that have maximised business potential and performance
• Extensive experience of continual process improvement, review and recommendations
• Extensive experience in working cross-functionally in delivering significant operational and sales performance for the Company
• Proven leadership experience of large teams
• Experience of working in the retail industry is an advantage
• Leading and managing a team including development, performance management, succession planning and leading change

Irving Oil supports a diverse and inclusive work environment and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants.