Area Manager

OneCart; Durban; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company is looking for an Area Manager to oversee operations in KwaZulu-Natal, Durban. The successful candidate will lead a team to deliver excellent service, resolve customer complaints, and drive business growth. Essential qualifications include a matric certification and experience in retail operations. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills are crucial for this role.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in retail or supply chain operations.
• Experience in managing a team and meeting sales targets.
• Proficient in using charting and pivot tables in Excel.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Supervisors, Shoppers, and Drivers.
• Drive regional growth by launching new coverage areas.
• Resolve escalated customer complaints effectively.

Skills

Leadership

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving

Customer Service

Education

Matric Certification

Higher Education in Operations

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job title: Area Manager

Job Location: KwaZulu-Natal, Durban

Deadline: October 09, 2025

Job Description

OneCart is looking to hire an Area Manager. In this role, the Area Manager will drive OneCart’s success by leading a team of Supervisors, Shoppers and Drivers to create and maintain the OneCart experience for our customers. The Area Manager will coach and motivate employees to achieve sales results and operational metrics.

CORE ACTIVITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Manage collaborative and cohesive relationships between internal and external customers.
• Provide resources to ensure employees can adequately perform their roles (e.g. uniforms, shopper cards, marketing material).
• Coach and motivate employees to achieve sales results and operational metrics.
• Lead and manage a team of Supervisors, Shoppers and Drivers to ensure daily flawless service delivery to customers.
• Own efficiency and quality metrics.
• Drive regional growth through launching new coverage areas and shopper onboarding.
• Problem-solve and troubleshoot daily operational issues with a data-driven mindset.
• Initiate and lead processes to ensure qualified applicants join our Shopper and Driver teams.
• Ensure continuous compliance for Supervisors, Shoppers and Drivers.
• Support the Head Office Operations Managers on special projects for continued operating efficiency and growth.
• Provide an operational perspective to teams at HQ, including Logistics and Community Operations to ensure best practices and protocols.
• Daily management of Supervisors, Shoppers and Drivers to ensure all teams work optimally to reach KPIs, specifically related to on-time fulfilment.
• Demonstrate consistent application of internal procedures.
• Implement and anticipate the change management process.
• Demonstrate flexibility in balancing personal objectives with organisational needs.

Complaints Management

• Assist and attend to escalated Supervisor, Shopper and Driver queries.
• Resolve escalated customer complaints.
• Provide constant feedback to the National Operations Manager on unresolved customer queries.
• Investigate and respond to escalated queries and ensure timely resolution.
• Foresee potential problems and take action to prevent them.
• Consult with stakeholders inside and outside the region to solve problems.

Field Training

• Distribute training reports to the Training Specialist when training is conducted.
• Manage the performance of field staff.
• Train and develop Supervisors, Shoppers and Drivers as required.

Recruitment and Workforce Planning

• Provide daily/bi-weekly reports to Line Manager.
• Report staff movements and ensure tracking and weekly updates to the Line Manager.
• Payroll overtime and movement reports submitted monthly per deadlines.
• Ensure submission and tracking of Leave.

Logistics Administration

• Daily call log at 9 am with Line Manager.
• Daily and weekly KPI reporting.
• Ensure accuracy and real-time visibility of reporting.
• Reports submitted accurately and on time to relevant parties.

Minimum Academic, Professional Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum Matric certification.
• Higher education in Operations or equivalent.
• 2-3 years of experience in retail or supply chain operations, project management and/or customer support (ideal).
• Experience in managing a team.
• Experience in meeting sales targets.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Competencies and Skills

• Good use and understanding of charting and pivot tables in Excel.
• High attention to detail and strong execution skills.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Demonstrated success in leading teams.
• Strong critical thinking ability in technical and non-technical issues.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Positive attitude and fortitude to work through changing conditions.
• Interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Resilience, decisiveness, and action-orientation.
• Assertiveness and professional verbal and written communication skills.
• Responsive, with effective planning and organising.
• Self-directed and motivated.

Working Conditions

• Working conditions may include evening and weekend work, public holidays, shift work, outdoor work, and handling challenging clients.
• Travel to different stores within the portfolio.

Physical Requirements

• Excellent vision and hand-eye coordination to stay safe while driving.
• Ability to walk, drive, and lift and carry heavy items for extended periods.