Director of Operations, Retail

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive health insurance

Staff discounts & product allowances

Profit sharing & bonuses

Generous retirement contributions

International travel opportunities

Job summary

Placements24, a prestigious luxury retail group, seeks a Director of Operations to oversee Gauteng’s extensive retail network from its Sandton office, with a hybrid work arrangement and remote flexibility to balance strategic leadership with day-to-day execution.

You will lead regional and store managers, drive customer experience, optimize store performance, manage budgets, implement best practices in visual merchandising and inventory, and foster a high-performance culture with an eye for

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in retail operations with at least 5 years in a director-level role.
• Proven experience managing a multi-store retail network.
• Strong understanding of retail KPIs, financial management, and operational best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop large teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic operational plans for the retail division to achieve business objectives.
• Oversee the performance of all retail stores, ensuring high standards of customer service and operational efficiency.
• Manage and mentor a team of regional managers and store managers, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Implement and enforce operational policies, procedures, and visual merchandising standards.
• Monitor store performance metrics, including sales, profitability, inventory turnover, and customer satisfaction.
• Manage operational budgets for the retail division, ensuring cost control and profitability.
• Drive initiatives to enhance the customer shopping experience and build brand loyalty.
• Oversee inventory management, loss prevention, and asset protection strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and legal requirements within retail operations.
• Collaborate with marketing, merchandising, and HR teams to support strategic initiatives.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Retail operations

Budget management

KPIs analysis

Team development

Communication skills

Education

Master’s degree in Business Administration or related

Tools

Retail management software

Analytics tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prestigious luxury retail group, is seeking a strategic Director of Operations to oversee their extensive retail network in Gauteng. This role operates under a hybrid work arrangement, requiring regular collaboration at the Sandton corporate office alongside flexible remote working days. The Director will be responsible for driving operational excellence across all retail stores, ensuring exceptional customer experiences, optimizing store performance, and managing operational budgets. You will lead a team of regional and store managers, implementing best practices in store operations, visual merchandising, inventory management, and staff training. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the retail landscape, a passion for customer service, and a proven track record in operational leadership within the retail sector. This is a key leadership position focused on elevating our client's brand presence and operational efficiency in the market.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic operational plans for the retail division to achieve business objectives.
• Oversee the performance of all retail stores, ensuring high standards of customer service and operational efficiency.
• Manage and mentor a team of regional managers and store managers, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Implement and enforce operational policies, procedures, and visual merchandising standards.
• Monitor store performance metrics, including sales, profitability, inventory turnover, and customer satisfaction.
• Manage operational budgets for the retail division, ensuring cost control and profitability.
• Drive initiatives to enhance the customer shopping experience and build brand loyalty.
• Oversee inventory management, loss prevention, and asset protection strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and legal requirements within retail operations.
• Collaborate with marketing, merchandising, and HR teams to support strategic initiatives.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in retail operations management, with at least 5 years in a director-level role.
• Proven experience managing a multi-store retail network.
• Strong understanding of retail KPIs, financial management, and operational best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop large teams.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working in a hybrid role, effectively balancing office and remote responsibilities.
• Proficiency in retail management software and analytics tools.
• Passion for the luxury retail sector is highly desirable.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of ZAR.
• Significant performance-based bonuses and profit sharing.
• Comprehensive executive health insurance.
• Generous staff discounts and product allowances.
• Retirement fund with excellent employer contributions.
• Opportunities for international travel and professional development.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering work-life balance.
• An exclusive and dynamic work environment.