Retail Area Manager

Absolute Pets; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 334,800 - 502,200; Full time

Job summary

Absolute Pets is seeking a passionate Area Manager to lead operations in Gauteng and oversee multiple branches. Your role will include ensuring exceptional customer service and driving sales performance.

Qualifications include a Matric, a valid driver's license, and at least 2 years of management experience. You will need strong leadership skills and the ability to enhance team performance. Join us in delivering excellent service in a pet-loving environment!

Qualifications

• Valid South African driver’s license.
• At least 2 years leadership/management experience managing multiple area managers.
• Proven ability to lead and influence a team.

Responsibilities

• Ensure high level of customer service in all stores.
• Coaching and motivation of team members.
• Manage performance appraisals and address poor performance.
• Schedule staff for optimal service coverage.
• Monitor competitor activities for store improvement.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Ability to plan and prioritise

Leadership

Customer-centric

Computer literacy

Education

Matric

Retail-related qualification (desirable)

Job description

Specialising in premium pet foods and accessories, Absolute Pets is the leading pet retailer in South Africa with over 200 stores across the country.

Our team of experts is looking for a passionate and driven Area Manager to join the Absolute Pets Gauteng Operations team and oversee branches in Gauteng and surrounds.

If you want to join our team, these are a few of the key areas that you will need to be responsible for as an Area Manager:

• Ensuring all customers in all stores experience the highest level or service at all times
• Responding to customer complaints referred by store managers and ensuring timely 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 timely 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 and Experience

Essential:

• Matric
• Valid South African driver’s license
• At least 2 years leadership/management experience managing multiple area managers
• Proven ability to lead and influence a team, with knowledge of HR procedures

Desirable:

• Retail‑related qualification
• Experience selling in veterinary shop/pet care shop
• Retail courses on leadership, performance management, understanding of current labour laws
• Knowledge of the brands and products we stock

Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to plan and prioritise
• Leadership, delegation, follow up, daily/weekly sales targets
• Multi‑task and work under pressure
• Motivate and drive performance and manage poor performance & disciplinary procedures
• Customer‑centric
• Computer literacy
• Ability to interpret financial data and make key decisions

Interests

• Passion for people and customer service
• Passionate about animals

Disposition & Personality

• Good team player, high energy, highly motivated, approachable, persuasive, trustworthy and reliable
• Strong leadership skills, shows initiative

Appearance

• Smart and presentable appearance