Regional Manager Iii

Smollan; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Smollan in South Africa seeks an experienced Operations Manager to drive efficiencies, align client objectives with field execution, and optimise outcomes across channels.

You will own planning, budgeting, performance management, and accountability for field staff, ensuring stock integrity, timely promotions and returns handling.

Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement and disciplined process management are essential to deliver consistently high service standards and measurable results.

Qualifications

• Proven operational leadership experience in multi-channel environments.
• Experience with budgeting, cost control and risk management.
• Strong people-management and development capabilities.
• Excellent stakeholder communication and relationship-building skills.
• Knowledge of stock, shelf hygiene and returns processes.

Responsibilities

• Identify sales targets per channel per month and draw up quarterly project plan to achieve targets.
• Manage and track implementation of project plan; revise plan based on client feedback.
• Liaise with buyers to achieve targets and provide feedback to clients.
• Oversee promotional activities and new innovations; manage out-of-stocks and forward share.
• Entrust effective budgeting and financial governance per business unit; monitor expenses and variances.

Skills

Transformative leadership

Judgement & decision making

Emotional maturity

Coaching & development of others

Team leadership

Impact & influence

Critical thinking

Organisational awareness

Analysis & problem solving

Establishing networks

Industry & business awareness

Service excellence

Job description

Job Summary:

To manage operational efficiencies and achieve client / customer objectives in areas of responsibility.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables:

• Identify sales targets per channel per month and draw up quarterly project plan as to how these targets will be achieved
• Manage and track implementation of project plan (revising the plan based on client feedback as required)
• Liaise with buyers to achieve targets
• Provide feedback to clients
• Manage Promotional Activities
• Manage new innovations
• Manage out-of-stocks
• Manage Forward Share
• Minimise credit notes

Effective operational management

• Ensure adherence to call cycle
• Ensure effective time management when visiting stores (appropriate to store profile)
• Ensure stock availability
• Ensure shelf health (including stock-on-shelf; PI labels; removal of damaged and expired stock, as well as general hygiene of shelf)
• Adhere to specific Returns Management policies (per client)
• Implement promotional schedules
• Ensure a good working relationship between field staff and store management
• Update Strike Action Plan (biannually)

Effective people management

• Take full responsibility for performance management of all direct reports, managing their performance in relation to quality standards and agreed benchmarks and objectives, focusing on all aspects of sound people management:
• Recruitment
• Induction
• Development
• Remuneration and Rewards
• Performance Management
• Career path and succession planning
• On-the-job training, coaching & mentoring
• Staff wellbeing
• Manage Employment Equity targets
• Ensure appropriate levels of management and accountability
• Motivate, delegate and empower appropriately, enabling direct reports to take responsibility and display creativity and initiative
• Ensure effective knowledge sharing

Effective budget and financial management (as required by Business Unit)

• Compile annual budget (per Business Unit) using previous business unit financial performance information
• Submit budget to relevant manager for review and sign-off
• Analyze monthly departmental budgeting and accounting reports and identify and control variances
• Take appropriate action to ensure adherence to expense budgets
• Prepare and compile budget reports (monthly)
• Continually seek new ways to improve efficiencies and decrease expenditure
• Ensure compliance to relevant policies and procedures
• Proactively seek to identify and manage risk
• Release / authorize orders

Effective knowledge sharing (including management of field intelligence)

• Be alert to competitor activity and potential tenders
• Compile Field Intelligence reports and submit to BU Manager
• Update clients on competitor activity
• Ensure effective communication of information to Field Force

Effective client and customer relationship management

• Proactively build relationships with clients and customers and ensure they are kept informed
• Ensure prompt problem solving

Effective administration and asset management

• Ensure accurate salary input and monitor and control expense claims
• Ensure scorecard compliance
• Ensure effective management appraisals (C BAND and up)
• Ensure effective leave management and administration
• Conduct HR audits
• Conduct Financial audits
• Check and monitor assets and ensure updated asset register (monthly)
• Conduct disciplinary hearings as required
• In the regions, ensure office hygiene and equipment are maintained

Effective teamwork and self-management

• Actively and consistently maintain high standards of professionalism in all aspects of personal presentation and delivery
• Apply knowledge of the organizational systems, structures, policies and procedures to achieve results
• Follow through to ensure that personal quality and productivity standards are consistently and accurately maintained
• Provide appropriate resolution for tasks or deadlines not met
• Support and drive the business’ core values
• Maintain a positive attitude
• Respond openly to feedback
• Take ownership for driving own career development

Key Competencies

Transformative leadership

Judgement & decision making

Emotional maturity

Coaching & development of others

Team leadership

Impact & influence

Critical thinking

Organisational awareness

Analysis & problem solving

Establishing networks

Industry & business awareness

Service excellence