Area Manager

Cash Crusaders; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Cash Crusaders is seeking an experienced Area Manager to oversee day-to-day operations across multiple franchise stores in Mpumalanga.

You will drive profitability, manage stock, mentor Store Managers, and ensure consistent adherence to company standards while travelling between stores.

The role requires leadership, financial acumen, and a proactive approach to store development, merchandising, and customer service.

Qualifications

• 3 years' experience in a senior management or multi-site operational role.
• Strong financial acumen with experience analysing P&L statements and business performance.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and people management skills.
• Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.
• High level of organisation and attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and reporting tools.
• Innovative, ambitious, and solutions-driven.
• Valid driver's licence and reliable vehicle.
• Willingness to travel extensively.
• Ability to successfully complete a pre-employment polygraph assessment.

Responsibilities

• Drive profitability across all profit centres (New Goods, Second-Hand Goods, SSB).
• Manage store sales performance against budgets and analyse P&L.
• Oversee stock availability, stocktakes, and stock distribution.
• Coordinate merchandising standards and marketing initiatives.
• Coach, mentor and develop franchise partners and store managers.
• Ensure customer service standards and governance across stores.
• Monitor security, SOP compliance, and reporting to management.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Communication

Analytical skills

Organisation

Strategic thinking

Travel willingness

Problem-solving

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Reporting tools

Job description

We are looking for an experienced and results-driven Area Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of multiple franchise stores within a designated region.

The successful candidate will be responsible for driving operational excellence, improving store profitability, mentoring franchise partners, and ensuring that company standards are consistently implemented across all stores. This role requires regular travel between stores and reports directly to senior management, while serving as the direct line manager for Store Managers.

Key Responsibilities

Financial & Commercial Performance

• Drive profitability across New Goods, Second-Hand Goods, and SSB profit centres.

• Manage store sales performance against budgets.

• Analyse profit and loss statements and identify opportunities to improve profitability.

• Monitor expenses and implement cost-control measures.

• Review key business statistics and operational reports to improve store performance.

Operations & Stock Management

• Ensure consistent implementation of merchandising standards.

• Oversee marketing initiatives across all stores.

• Coordinate stock availability and optimise stock distribution.

• Monitor stock ageing, discontinued stock, repair stock, and damaged stock.

• Organise and participate in monthly stocktakes.

• Safeguard company assets, including stock, vehicles, fixtures, equipment, and petty cash.

• Ensure repair turnaround times meet company standards.

Franchise & Store Development

• Coach, mentor, and develop franchise partners.

• Develop and implement business improvement plans where required.

• Review improvement plans regularly and adjust strategies to achieve business objectives.

• Manage change initiatives within stores.

• Ensure customer service standards are consistently maintained.

• Review Mystery Shopper results and implement corrective actions where necessary.

• Ensure social media activity complies with company standards.

Leadership & People Management

• Ensure stores maintain appropriate staffing levels.

• Support recruitment, training, and employee development.

• Drive succession planning initiatives.

• Manage employee performance effectively.

• Promote positive employee relations and engagement.

• Oversee HR administration and remuneration processes where applicable.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure all stores comply with company policies, procedures, SOPs, and system requirements.

• Maintain high security standards across all stores.

• Conduct regular operational meetings and provide detailed reports to management.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in a senior management or multi-site operational role.

• Strong financial acumen with experience analysing P&L statements and business performance.

• Excellent leadership, coaching, and people management skills.

• Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.

• High level of organisation and attention to detail.

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and reporting tools.

• Innovative, ambitious, and solutions-driven.

• Valid driver's licence and reliable vehicle.

• Willingness to travel extensively.

• Ability to successfully complete a pre-employment polygraph assessment.