Director of Operations - Retail

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Job summary

Placements24 in East London is seeking a Director of Operations to oversee our Eastern Cape retail portfolio. This senior role drives profitability, brand standards, and operational excellence across multiple stores, with a focus on East London and surrounding areas.

You will lead regional store managers, optimize inventory and losses, manage large budgets, and collaborate with merchandising, HR, and marketing to shape a high-performance retail operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or retail management required.
• 9–11 years in retail operations with 5+ years in leadership.
• Proven multi-site operations management and budgeting experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement regional strategies to boost store performance and profitability.
• Lead regional store managers and operational staff to high performance.
• Ensure consistent policies, procedures, and visual merchandising standards.
• Analyze performance data and drive action plans for improvements.
• Oversee regional budgets, costs, and resource allocation.
• Improve inventory control, loss prevention, and efficiency.
• Oversee staff training and development for customer service.
• Collaborate with merchandising, marketing and HR for aligned strategies.
• Conduct regular store visits and audits for compliance.
• Champion initiatives to enhance the East London customer experience.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Analytical thinking

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Retail Management

Tools

Retail management systems

Reporting tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading national retail chain, is seeking a strategic and experienced Director of Operations to oversee its operations within the Eastern Cape region, with a primary focus in East London . This senior leadership role is responsible for driving operational excellence across all retail stores, ensuring consistent brand standards, optimizing efficiency, and achieving profitability targets. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in multi-site retail operations, exceptional leadership skills, and a deep understanding of retail best practices. You will be instrumental in shaping the operational landscape of our client's retail presence in East London and surrounding areas, ensuring superior customer experiences and driving sustainable business growth. This is a crucial role for someone passionate about retail excellence and operational leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement operational strategies to enhance store performance, customer satisfaction, and profitability across the region.
• Lead and manage a team of regional store managers and operational staff, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Ensure consistent execution of company policies, operational procedures, and visual merchandising standards.
• Analyze store performance data, identify trends, and implement action plans for improvement.
• Manage regional operational budgets, control expenses, and optimize resource allocation.
• Drive initiatives to improve inventory management, loss prevention, and operational efficiency.
• Oversee staff training and development programs to enhance customer service and operational capabilities.
• Collaborate with merchandising, marketing, and HR departments to ensure aligned business strategies.
• Conduct regular store visits and audits to assess operational compliance and identify opportunities.
• Champion initiatives that enhance the overall customer shopping experience in the East London retail environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of 9-11 years of progressive experience in retail operations management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity (e.g., Regional Manager, Senior Operations Manager).
• Proven track record of successfully managing multi-unit retail operations and achieving significant business results.
• Strong understanding of retail operations, including inventory control, loss prevention, staffing, and customer service.
• Exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent financial acumen and experience managing large operational budgets.
• Proficiency in retail management systems and reporting tools.
• Outstanding communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel within the Eastern Cape region as required.
• Experience within the East London retail market is highly desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, a generous performance-based bonus structure, comprehensive medical aid, and retirement fund benefits. Opportunities for professional development and career advancement within a leading retail organization are significant. This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, balancing operational oversight with remote administrative tasks, providing a conducive work-life balance in East London .