Learning & Development Manager - Food Retail

NCLC; Durban; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in Durban is seeking a dynamic Learning & Development Manager to drive skills growth and leadership development. The ideal candidate will have a proven background in training management within retail, with at least 8 years of experience. Responsibilities include designing training programs, conducting needs analyses, and ensuring effective delivery across multiple stores. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Training Manager or similar role in retail.
• Minimum of 8 years in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Valid license required.
• Willingness to travel to stores across KZN.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement effective training programs.
• Conduct training needs analyses aligned with business goals.
• Collaborate with department heads for defining training needs.
• Evaluate training effectiveness through metrics and feedback.
• Update training materials based on operational needs.

Skills

Training program design

Excellent communication skills

Strong organizational skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership skills

Results-driven problem solving

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Our client, a leader in the butchery retail and processing space, is looking for a dynamic Learning & Development Manager to join their team in Durban, to drive skills growth, leadership development, and continuous learning across our business—not just in-store processes. This role is focused on empowering people through impactful, tailored training programs that align with business goals. You’ll work closely with department heads to assess needs, implement development initiatives, and foster a culture of high performance and personal growth.

What you’ll do:

• Design and implement training programs based on identified skills gaps, using a mix of classroom, workshop, and hands‑on learning methods.
• Conduct regular training needs analyses aligned to business goals.
• Collaborate with department heads and operational managers to define training requirements and roll out development initiatives.
• Evaluate training effectiveness through performance metrics, participant feedback, and business impact analytics.
• Continuously update and improve training materials to reflect evolving operational needs.
• Drive participation and engagement by fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
• Ensure consistent training delivery across all stores, including store visits to monitor implementation and impact.
• Manage training schedules, track attendance, and maintain accurate training records.
• Prepare and submit training reports to management.
• Inspire team alignment, build trust, and drive productivity through clear communication and leadership.
• Ensure all training and development aligns with SOPs and supports service excellence.
• Review and refine existing business processes and policies to improve training delivery and operational efficiency.

What we’re looking for:

• Proven experience as a Training Manager designing and delivering training programs or similar role in the retail industry.
• Min. 8 years of similar working experience in a fast‑paced retail environment
• Valid license is essential
• Must be prepared to travel to stores throughout KZN
• Proficient in MS Office suite; Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a friendly demeanour.
• Ability to create and deliver engaging training content.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to handle multiple training programs.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate training effectiveness and implement improvements
• Excellent Communication Skills, ability to engage and adapt clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to collaborate with cross‑functional teams and stakeholders
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills
• Experience working with demanding deadlines
• Results‑driven approach to problem‑solving
• Self‑motivated, tactful, creative and strategic thinker