Operations Manager - (Port Elizabeth)

Pedros Chicken; Oos-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Pedros Chicken in South Africa is seeking an Operations Manager to implement the Operations Management System across all allocated stores. You will drive sustainable profitability, operational excellence, brand compliance and people development while ensuring SOPs, food safety standards and service benchmarks are met.

You will lead store management, coach store managers, monitor KPIs, manage risk and costs, and support marketing initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a multi-store operator role.
• Proven experience managing multi-site operations in a high-volume environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage and support all operational issues across allocated stores.
• Drive turnover and customer growth, GP and profitability against benchmarks.
• Ensure cost control for food, labour and expenses.
• Maintain SOPs, food safety standards and service benchmarks.
• Lead and develop Store Managers and teams to meet targets.
• Ensure training, onboarding and performance management processes.

Skills

Multi-store operations

People management

Brand compliance

Operational excellence

Education

Operations/Business Administration qualification

Franchise/Corporate store experience

Tools

GAAP

MICROS

Job description

ROLE PURPOSE

The Operations Manager is responsible for implementing and maintaining the Operations Management System across all allocated stores. The role focuses on driving sustainable profitability, operational excellence, brand compliance, and people development, while ensuring all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), food safety standards, and service benchmarks are consistently achieved.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Operational Performance & Profitability

• Manage and support all operational issues across allocated stores.
• Drive turnover growth, customer count growth, gross profit, and profitability performance in line with benchmarks.
• Ensure effective cost control, including food cost, labour, and operational expenses.
• Monitor and improve service efficiency including all performance-based metrics.

1. SOP, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure Food Quality always remains the primary focus.
• Ensure strict adherence to all SOPs, policies, and operational standards.
• Maintain brand audit, food safety audit, and mystery shopper scores above required minimum benchmarks.
• Ensure food safety compliance, hygiene standards, equipment servicing, and corrective actions are consistently implemented.
• Monitor and action audit outcomes, compliance risks, and operational gaps.

1. People Management & Leadership

• Plan, organise, lead, and control store management and teams to meet or exceed performance targets.
• Coach, mentor, and develop Store Managers and teams to improve performance and capability.
• Drive engagement, reduce voluntary staff and management turnover, and build high-performing teams.
• Ensure training, onboarding, and performance management processes are executed effectively.

1. Customer Experience & Brand Standards

• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction across all channels.
• Monitor customer complaints, ensure timely resolution, and implement corrective actions.
• Drive positive digital ratings, QR survey participation, and Net Promoter Score performance as well as all Customer experience metrics.
• Uphold and reinforce Pedros’ leadership principles, values, High performance and customer obsession culture.

1. Reporting, Administration & Communication

• Prepare, analyse and review weekly and monthly operational reports.
• Ensure accurate reporting on KPIs, audits, financial performance, and action plans.
• Maintain effective communication with stores, management, and support teams.
• Support execution of marketing plans, promotions, and operational initiatives.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)

The Operations Manager will be measured against, but not limited to:

• Like-on-like turnover and customer growth
• EBITDA and gross profit % targets
• Brand audit, food safety audit, and mystery shopper scores
• Service speed (SOS, drive-thru, delivery metrics)
• Customer complaints ratio and digital ratings
• Staff and management turnover rates
• Delivery aggregator uptime and performance

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Qualification in Operations, Marketing, Business Development, or Business Administration
• Franchise and/or Corporate Store experience
• GAAP / Micros system experience
• Minimum 2 years’ experience as a multi store operator or similar role
• Proven experience managing multi-site operations in a high-volume environment

TECHNICAL & BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

Technical Skills

• Strong operational and financial acumen
• Ability to manage quality control and SOP compliance
• Proven ability to achieve sales, GP%, and profitability targets
• Advanced MS Office skills
• Strong reporting and analytical capability

Behavioural Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong leadership and people management ability
• High Emotional understanding (EQ)
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities
• High attention to detail
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver’s licence
• Own vehicle (preferred)
• Willingness to travel regularly within the region
• Availability to support operational requirements outside standard hours when required