Retail MD & Growth Architect

Loading Bay; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Loading Bay, based in Cape Town, South Africa, seeks a senior commercial leader to drive revenue growth, profitability and brand development across multiple channels.

You will partner with the MD to translate business objectives into practical operating plans, lead retail operations, buying, supplier relationships and customer experience, and oversee brand, marketing and digital initiatives for Loading Bay and Sans Community.

Responsibilities

• Side by side the owner, execute the overall strategic direction and day-to-day management of Loading Bay.
• Implement business plans and growth strategies aligned with the owners' long-term objectives.
• Translate strategic objectives into clear operational priorities and measurable actions.
• Monitor business performance and make recommendations regarding opportunities, risks and resource allocation.
• Provide leadership across multiple functions and ensure alignment between commercial, operational and brand priorities.
• Support the ongoing development and expansion of the businesses, including preparation for additional retail locations.
• Monitor sales performance across retail and e-commerce channels and identify opportunities to improve performance.
• Analyse financial and commercial performance and use insights to inform business decisions.
• Monitor operating expenses and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Work with owner on budgets, forecasts, financial targets and business planning.
• Negotiate (if required) commercial terms with suppliers, partners and service providers.
• Establish and maintain all new operational processes and systems.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the retail businesses.
• Ensure stores operate efficiently and consistently deliver the required customer experience.
• Work closely with store consultants to monitor sales, staffing, customer service and operational performance.
• Identify operational challenges and implement solutions to improve efficiency.
• Oversee staffing requirements, performance and operational support.
• Oversee the overall brand positioning of Loading Bay and Sans Community.
• Develop and execute marketing strategies in collaboration with Marketing Manager and external agencies.
• Oversee campaign planning, implementation and performance.
• Ensure marketing activity is aligned with commercial objectives and brand identity.
• Identify opportunities for customer acquisition and digital footprint.
• Provide strategic direction for digital and social media activity (Sans and Loading Bay)
• Approve monthly content calendars and paid ads.
• Monitor marketing performance and ensure external agencies are delivering against agreed objectives.
• Approve and /or occasionally design physical print collateral according to brand identity.
• Oversee the e-commerce channel and online customer experience.
• Act as the primary business contact for the e-commerce platform and related service providers.
• Identify opportunities to improve online conversion, customer experience and revenue.
• Oversee key e-commerce initiatives, launches, promotions and operational requirements.
• Install and implement any operational / financial or app related integrations with Shopify.
• Derive and calculate all buying budgets based on multiple reports, data, analytics and sense.
• Balance commercial considerations with brand positioning, customer demand and product assortment.
• Monitor inventory, sell-through and stock performance and identify opportunities to improve stock efficiency.
• Build and maintain relationships with international suppliers.
• Assess product performance and make recommendations regarding future ranges and purchasing.
• Manage communication and negotiations with suppliers and brand partners.
• Manage and or execute all order submissions post buying trips in line with deadlines and budgeting.
• File, track and record all orders, agreed terms and invoicing for seasonal deliveries a year ahead.
• Lead and manage the team across Loading Bay and Sans.
• Set expectations, priorities and objectives for direct reports.
• Oversee performance management and provide ongoing leadership and guidance.
• Identify resourcing requirements and make recommendations regarding team structure and recruitment.
• Hire, onboard and train all new team members.
• Ensure teams understand the broader commercial objectives of the business and how their roles contribute to them.
• Manage key supplier and service-provider relationships acting as the main point of contact.
• Where needed, alongside the owner, negotiate pricing, terms, contracts and commercial agreements.
• Resolve commercial and operational issues with external parties.
• Provide feedback where needed on product/ brand performance and identify and implement any ideas to improve brand presence.
• Maintain oversight of the customer experience across physical and digital touchpoints.
• Identify opportunities to improve customer service, engagement and retention.
• Ensure brand standards are consistently reflected throughout the customer journey.
• Use customer feedback and sales insights to inform operational and commercial decisions.
• Monitor and report on key business performance indicators (revenue, profitability, expenses, sales performance, stock etc)
• Identify performance gaps and develop corrective actions.
• Build and maintain continuous reporting used for calculations on buying across seasonal apparel orders as well as all cosmetic cyclic orders.
• Lead cross-functional business projects from planning through to implementation.
• Drive improvements to systems, processes and ways of working.
• Manage new projects while maintaining the ongoing performance of the businesses.
• Assist the team hands on with any tasks that need more hands to complete.
• During peak seasons, and/ or shortages in the team (sick, leave or shortstaffed) act as a consultant on the floor servicing customers with a full up to date knowledge of all products. Uphold all consulting and customer experience standards.

Job description

Loading Bay, based in Cape Town, South Africa, seeks a senior commercial leader to drive revenue growth, profitability and brand development across multiple channels.

You will partner with the MD to translate business objectives into practical operating plans, lead retail operations, buying, supplier relationships and customer experience, and oversee brand, marketing and digital initiatives for Loading Bay and Sans Community.