Retail Excellence Manager

Ethos Watch; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 500,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

Ethos Watch in Bengaluru seeks a seasoned Retail Excellence Auditor to drive SOP adherence, conduct operational audits, and execute the approved audit calendar across the zone. You will plan store visits through a Permanent Journey Plan and verify compliance with brand guidelines, VM standards, and safety requirements.

You will analyse audit findings, prepare structured reports, track corrective actions, and coordinate with Business, VM, Maintenance, Projects, IT and L&D.

Qualifications

• Graduate in any discipline.
• Experience in organized retail is preferred.
• Strong audit, analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and drive adherence to Retail SOPs and execute the audit calendar.
• Plan and execute store visits through a Permanent Journey Plan (PJP).
• Verify compliance with SOPs, standards, guidelines and prepare structured audit reports.

Skills

Audit

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Stakeholder management

Communication

Data analysis

Excel

PowerPoint

Education

Graduate in any discipline

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Role & responsibilities:

1. Retail Excellence

• Monitor and drive adherence to Retail SOPs.
• Execute the approved audit calendar and conduct operational audits.
• Plan and execute store visits through an approved Permanent Journey Plan (PJP).

2. Store Audit & Store Visit Responsibilities

• Verify compliance with SOPs, operational standards and Retail Excellence guidelines.
• Review customer experience, store readiness, housekeeping, safety, maintenance, statutory compliance and store presentation.
• Verify implementation of brand guidelines, VM standards and corporate initiatives.
• Review operational records and statutory documents.
• Assess operational readiness for new stores, relocations and renovations.
• Identify deviations and document observations with evidence.
• Discuss observations and agree corrective actions with Store Managers and Business Managers.
• Verify closure of previous observations.
• Escalate critical issues.
• Identify and share best practices.

3. Reporting & Analytics

• Analyse audit findings and identify trends.
• Prepare structured audit reports.
• Track corrective actions and report closure status.
• Recommend process improvements.

4. Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordinate with Business, VM, Maintenance, Projects, IT and L&D.
• Drive timely closure of observations through stakeholder engagement.

5. Travel Requirement

• Extensive travel (approximately 1520 days per month) through a Permanent Journey Plan (PJP) covering all stores within the assigned zone.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Graduate in any discipline.
• 6-10 years in organized retail.
• Minimum 3 years in a multi-store role.
• Luxury/premium retail experience preferred.
• Experience in conducting Retail Excellence audits covering SOP compliance, customer experience, store readiness, Visual Merchandising standards, maintenance, safety, statutory compliance, and overall retail execution will be preferred.

Critical Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail with a keen eye for identifying deviations from Retail Excellence standards.
• Strong audit, analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Accuracy, consistency and follow-through.
• Strong stakeholder management.
• Excellent communication.
• Ability to analyse data and convert observations into recommendations.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint.
• Self-driven and comfortable in a field-based role.

Key Performance Indicators

• SOP Compliance
• Store Audit Scores
• Timely Closure of Audit Observations
• PJP Adherence & Store Coverage
• Retail Excellence Compliance Score
• Implementation of Corporate Initiatives
• Operational Readiness for New Stores
• Quality & Timeliness of Reporting