Operations Director - Retail Portfolio

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Car allowance

Medical aid and pension

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an experienced Operations Director to lead retail operations in Pietermaritzburg and surrounding KwaZulu-Natal. The role blends on-site leadership with strategic planning and remote collaboration to optimize store performance and customer experience.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree (MBA preferred), 9+ years in retail, and a proven record managing multiple locations, inventories, and teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, or a related discipline.
• MBA is a plus.
• Minimum 9 years of experience in retail management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven experience managing multiple retail locations and diverse teams.
• Strong understanding of retail operations, visual merchandising, inventory management, and customer service principles.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to drive sales performance and profitability.
• Proficiency in retail analytics and performance reporting.
• Experience with retail management software and POS systems.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid model, balancing site visits with remote responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of the retail landscape in KwaZulu-Natal.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of multiple retail stores within the designated region, ensuring high standards of service and efficiency.
• Develop and execute operational strategies to drive sales, customer satisfaction, and profitability across the retail portfolio.
• Manage and mentor store managers and their teams, providing leadership, training, and performance feedback.
• Implement and enforce company policies and procedures related to store operations, visual merchandising, and loss prevention.
• Monitor KPIs such as sales, customer traffic, conversion rates, and inventory turnover, and develop action plans to address deviations.
• Manage operational budgets, control expenses, and ensure efficient resource allocation.
• Oversee inventory management, including ordering, stock control, and minimizing shrinkage.
• Champion the customer experience, ensuring consistent delivery of exceptional service standards.
• Collaborate with marketing and merchandising teams to execute promotional campaigns and product launches effectively.
• Contribute to strategic planning for the retail division, identifying growth opportunities and market trends.

Skills

Retail leadership

Strategic planning

Staff management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Retail Management

MBA is a plus

Tools

POS systems

Job description

About the Role Our client, a prominent retail group with a diverse portfolio of brands, is looking for a strategic and experienced Operations Director to lead and optimize their retail operations in the Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal area. This senior management position is integral to driving operational excellence across multiple retail outlets, ensuring exceptional customer experiences, and achieving ambitious business targets. The role involves a hybrid work arrangement, balancing on-site leadership with strategic planning and remote collaboration. You will be responsible for the overall performance of the retail operations, including staff management, inventory control, visual merchandising, and profitability. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned retail leader to shape the future of our client's retail presence in a key South African region.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of multiple retail stores within the designated region, ensuring high standards of service and efficiency.
• Develop and execute operational strategies to drive sales, customer satisfaction, and profitability across the retail portfolio.
• Manage and mentor store managers and their teams, providing leadership, training, and performance feedback.
• Implement and enforce company policies and procedures related to store operations, visual merchandising, and loss prevention.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sales, customer traffic, conversion rates, and inventory turnover, and develop action plans to address deviations.
• Manage operational budgets, control expenses, and ensure efficient resource allocation.
• Oversee inventory management, including ordering, stock control, and minimizing shrinkage.
• Champion the customer experience, ensuring consistent delivery of exceptional service standards.
• Collaborate with marketing and merchandising teams to execute promotional campaigns and product launches effectively.
• Contribute to strategic planning for the retail division, identifying growth opportunities and market trends.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, or a related discipline.
• An MBA is a plus.
• Minimum of 9 years of experience in retail management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Regional Manager, Operations Manager).
• Proven experience managing multiple retail locations and diverse teams.
• Strong understanding of retail operations, visual merchandising, inventory management, and customer service principles.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to drive sales performance and profitability.
• Proficiency in retail analytics and performance reporting.
• Experience with retail management software and POS systems.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid model, balancing site visits with remote responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of the retail landscape in KwaZulu-Natal.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive executive salary, complemented by an annual performance bonus and a car allowance.
• Employees are provided with comprehensive medical aid, a generous pension fund, and substantial staff discounts across all brands.
• This hybrid role offers a balanced approach to work, combining the dynamic environment of retail operations with the flexibility of remote work.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression within a well-established retail group are abundant.