Retail Operations Manager

Macdonald & Company; George; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Macdonald & Company in George, Western Cape, seeks an hands-on Retail Operations Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of multiple commercial properties. Based in George with occasional travel to nearby sites, you will ensure buildings, tenants and service providers are well looked after and kept running smoothly.

You will manage maintenance, coordinate contractors, monitor budgets, SLAs, and safety compliance, lead on-site staff, and drive improvements across the portfolio.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in Operations Management, ideally in retail or commercial property.
• Solid understanding of building maintenance, SLAs, budgeting and operational controls.
• Ability to manage people, contractors and day-to-day challenges.
• Willingness to travel between George and Hartenbos approximately twice a week.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of commercial properties to ensure smooth running.
• Coordinate maintenance, service providers and contractors; ensure safety and compliance.
• Monitor budgets and service level agreements; identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Provide guidance to on-site personnel and maintain strong contractor relationships.

Skills

Operations management

Contractor management

Budgeting

Maintenance planning

MS Office

Excel

Team leadership

Property management software

Tools

Property management software

MS Office

Excel

Job description

Are you a hands-on Retail Operations Manager living in George?

You’ll be joining an established property investment and management business with a longstanding presence in the South African real estate market. With a portfolio of income-generating commercial assets and a practical, hands-on approach to property operations, the business offers the opportunity to work across different properties while being part of an experienced team that values accountability, initiative and getting things done. This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys being close to the action, taking responsibility and making a visible difference to the properties they manage.

As Operations Manager, you’ll be responsible for keeping the day-to-day operations of commercial properties running smoothly, ensuring that the buildings, tenants and service providers are all well looked after. You’ll take a proactive approach to identifying maintenance requirements, coordinating contractors and ensuring that security, cleaning and other essential services consistently meet expectations. Beyond keeping the properties operational, you’ll have a hand in managing budgets, monitoring costs, overseeing service agreements and identifying opportunities to improve how the centres are run. You’ll also provide guidance to on-site personnel, maintain strong relationships with contractors and ensure the properties remain safe, compliant and well maintained. Based in George, you’ll spend part of your week overseeing operations in Hartenbos, making this an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys variety and being physically involved in the properties they manage.

Our client is looking for someone with at least 5 years’ experience in Operations Management, ideally gained within retail or commercial property. While shopping centre experience would certainly be advantageous, we’re equally interested in someone from a relevant operational background who brings the right attitude, practical building knowledge and the ability to confidently manage people, contractors and day-to-day challenges. You’ll need a solid understanding of building maintenance, service level agreements, budgeting and operational controls, along with strong computer literacy, particularly Microsoft Office and Excel. Exposure to property management systems will be advantageous, but what matters most is your ability to take initiative, solve problems and ensure that things get done properly. You’ll need to be comfortable travelling between George and Hartenbos approximately twice a week.