Head of Retail Operations

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive plan

Medical and dental coverage

Retirement fund

Life insurance

International travel opportunities

Leadership development programs

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Head of Retail Operations for Stellenbosch and surrounding areas. This senior leader will set operational standards, drive sales growth, and elevate customer experiences across a large regional store network.

The role requires 10+ years in retail management with multi-site leadership, strong financial acumen, and a proven ability to execute strategic plans. Travel within the Western Cape is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field.
• MBA is a strong asset.
• 10+ years in retail management with senior multi-site experience.
• Proven track record of driving sales growth and operational efficiency.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Deep P&L management experience.
• Experience with strategic planning and analytics tools.
• Willingness to travel within the designated region.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic operational plans to drive sales, profitability, and market share across all retail stores in Stellenbosch area.
• Lead, mentor and inspire regional store managers and teams to foster high-performance culture.
• Oversee daily operations of all retail locations, ensuring brand standards and procedures.
• Manage regional budgets, including P&L responsibility, cost control, and revenue growth.
• Drive initiatives to enhance customer experience and brand loyalty.
• Monitor KPIs for sales, operations, and customer satisfaction; implement corrective actions.
• Identify and develop talent within retail teams with coaching and career development.
• Ensure compliance with retail regulations, health and safety, and policies.
• Collaborate with marketing, merchandising, and operations support teams.
• Lead change initiatives, optimizing store layouts and technology implementations.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

P&L management

Retail operations

Team building

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Marketing

MBA

Tools

Retail management software

Analytics tools

Job description

About the Role Our client, a prestigious international retail brand, is seeking an accomplished Head of Retail Operations to oversee their extensive store network in the Stellenbosch region and surrounding areas. This senior leadership position requires a strategic visionary with a proven ability to drive sales, optimize store performance, and enhance customer experiences across multiple retail locations. You will be responsible for setting operational standards, managing budgets, developing talent, and ensuring the consistent execution of brand strategies. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of the retail landscape, exceptional leadership skills, and a passion for delivering outstanding customer service. This role demands a hands-on approach to managing a significant operational footprint and driving profitable growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic operational plans to drive sales, profitability, and market share across all retail stores in the Stellenbosch area.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of regional store managers and their teams, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Oversee the daily operations of all retail locations, ensuring adherence to brand standards, operational procedures, and visual merchandising guidelines.
• Manage operational budgets for the region, including P&L responsibility, cost control, and revenue maximization.
• Drive initiatives to enhance the customer experience, ensuring consistent service delivery and brand loyalty.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for sales, operations, and customer satisfaction, implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Identify and develop talent within the retail teams, providing coaching, training, and career development opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with all retail regulations, health and safety standards, and company policies.
• Collaborate with marketing, merchandising, and operations support teams to align strategies and execution.
• Lead change initiatives, optimizing store layouts, operational processes, and technology implementations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field.
• An MBA is a strong asset.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in retail management, with at least 5 years in a senior multi-site or regional operations leadership role.
• Proven track record of driving significant sales growth and operational efficiency in the retail sector.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong financial acumen with P&L management experience.
• Deep understanding of retail operations, merchandising, customer service, and workforce management.
• Experience in developing and implementing strategic plans.
• Proficiency with retail management software and analytics tools.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic retail environment.
• Experience within the Western Cape retail market is highly preferred.
• Willingness to travel frequently within the designated region.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive executive salary, a substantial annual bonus, and an attractive long-term incentive plan.
• Comprehensive benefits include top-tier medical and dental coverage, a robust retirement fund, and life insurance.
• Opportunities for international travel and leadership development programs are provided.

You will have the chance to lead a well-respected brand and make a significant impact on its success in the region. We foster a culture of excellence and continuous learning, offering a challenging and rewarding career path in the vibrant retail sector.