Role Overview
The Operations Manager will lead and oversee the end-to-end operational activities of the supermarket chain, ensuring efficient store operations, cost control, high service standards, and adherence to company policies & SOPs. The role is pivotal in driving profitability, operational excellence, and delivering a seamless shopping experience for customers.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, implement and monitor operational strategies, policies and procedures across all outlets to ensure alignment with company goals.
- Manage and optimise store operations: opening/closing procedures, store layout, housekeeping, safety & security, cleanliness.
- Oversee inventory management and stock control: ensure correct stock levels, minimise shrinkage/spoilage, coordinate with supply chain and merchandising teams.
- Monitor and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) (sales, costs, labour, wastage, shrinkage) and take corrective actions to drive continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with merchandising, procurement and marketing to ensure product availability, pricing, promotions execution and store readiness.
- Lead and develop the operations team (store managers, area managers, supervisors): set clear objectives, coaching, performance reviews, staffing, scheduling.
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory, health & safety, food safety, halal (if applicable) and environmental standards.
- Manage cost control initiatives: labour productivity, utilities, operational expenses, waste reduction.
- Support new store openings/relocating outlets: site readiness, operational setup, training, SOP roll-out.
- Handle customer service issues escalated from stores; ensure high standards of service recovery and customer satisfaction.
- Drive process improvements and operational innovations to enhance efficiency, reduce cost and improve store performance.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, Logistics or related field.
- Minimum of 5-8 years’ experience in retail operations (ideally supermarket/grocery environment) in Malaysia, with at least 2-3 years in a managerial role.
- Proven track record in managing multiple store operations, cost control, inventory management and leading teams.
- Strong financial acumen: ability to interpret P&L, budgets, reports and drive performance.
- Excellent leadership, organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills; ability to liaise across functions and manage change.
- Proficient in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint) and comfortable using POS / ERP / retail operations systems.
- Language: Proficiency in English and Bahasa Malaysia required. Working knowledge of Mandarin would be a strong advantage (especially if key stakeholders/management speak Mandarin).
- Willingness to travel and visit outlets regularly, including weekends/holidays if required.