Retail Area Manager

Absolute Pets; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pet specialist retailer is seeking an Area Manager for Cape Town to oversee store operations across the Western Cape. This role involves driving revenue, ensuring top-notch customer service, and maintaining compliance with company policies. The ideal candidate will have at least 2 years of leadership experience in retail, strong interpersonal skills, and a passion for both animals and service excellence. This position offers the chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic retail environment.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of leadership/management experience in retail.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Strong ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the operations of assigned stores around Western Cape.
• Drive revenue and ensure customer service aligns with brand standards.
• Conduct performance appraisals and manage staff issues.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Team motivation

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Stock management

Education

Matric

Retail related qualification

Job description

Overview

Absolute Pets is a fast-growing specialist retail company that caters to the premium pet market offering pet lovers a range of food and accessories for their beloved companions. The Company is the leading pet care retailer in the country with over 190 stores nationwide and aims to be one of the most respected specialist retailers in the country. For more information on Absolute Pets visit our website - www.absolutepets.com

Overview of the Role

An opportunity has become available for an Area Manager in Cape Town. The individual will be responsible for overseeing stores around the Western Cape. The successful candidate will need to oversee and be responsible for the operations of their assigned stores. They will need to drive revenue and ensure the customer service experience is aligned to brand standards.

The position will report directly to the Regional Manager.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensuring all customers in all stores experience the highest level of service at all times
• Responding to customer complaints referred by store managers and ensuring timeous resolving.
• Ensuring individual and overall sales targets are met and exceeded. Fortnightly meetings with store managers to review and drive team performance. Ensuring that the team maintains a high level of up-to-date product knowledge at all times via in store and supplier training.
• Coaching, development and motivation of team. Ensure succession plan is in place for all stores, as well as for own role.
• Conducting performance appraisals/reviews on Store Managers twice a year, managing poor performance and dealing with staff issues that store manager has escalated.
• Scheduling of staff across all stores ensuring optimum customer service and coverage.
• Ensuring that the team uses product knowledge to give expert advice to customers on all our products.
• Ensuring compliance across all stores to company policies and procedures.
• Ensuring high level of cleanliness and housekeeping in stores and back areas.
• Ensuring optimum stock management and stock rotation
• Maintaining Visual management – ensuring merchandise is kept neat and orderly in appearance, and merchandising goods according to guideline principles.
• Ensuring that promotions and windows are set up according to guidelines and visually appealing.
• Ensuring that the team follow through on any Marketing requirements.
• Cash pickups from stores as required.
• Ensuring that all stores manage admin accurately and timeously including stocktakes, ordering, goods receiving, inter branch transfers, credits and all other necessary transactions.
• Ensuring the team maintains a high standard of appearance
• Monitoring what local competitors are doing. Recommending and implementing changes to improve store experience (products, opening hours, promotions etc.)

QUALIFICATIONS, PERSONAL TRAITS AND EXPERIENCE

• Attainments/Educational Level/Qualifications — Essential: Matric; Valid SA driver’s license. Desirable: Retail related qualification
• Experience — Essential: At least 2 years Leadership/Management experience in managing multiple area managers; Proven ability to lead and influence a team. Knowledge of HR procedures. Desirable: Experience of selling in veterinary shop/pet care shop.
• Intelligence/Aptitude — Essential: Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to plan and prioritise. Ability to lead and manage a team – delegation, follow up, daily/weekly sales targets. Ability to multi – task and work under pressure. Ability to motivate and drive performance as well as manage poor performance and disciplinary procedures. Customer Centric. Computer literacy. Ability to interpret financial data and make key decisions. Desirable: To have completed retail courses on leadership, performance management, understanding of current labour laws.
• Interests — Essential: Passion for people and customer service. Passionate about animals. Desirable: Knowledge of the brands and products we stock.
• Disposition/Personality/Motivation — Essential: Good team player, high energy, highly motivated. Approachable, persuasive, trustworthy and reliable. Strong leadership skills, shows initiative.
• Appearance/Physical Characteristics — Essential: Smart and presentable appearance.