Senior Project Manager - Retail Operations Improvement

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Staff discount

Paid time off

Leadership training

Career advancement

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in East London, Eastern Cape, seeks an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead retail operations improvement initiatives and technology implementations across the network.

You will work with store managers, regional directors, and cross-functional teams to drive efficiency, optimize supply chain processes, and enhance customer experience, contributing to the company’s competitive edge in the market.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field.
• MBA or relevant postgraduate degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years in project management, with 5+ years in retail operations or supply chain projects.
• Proven track record in retail or FMCG project delivery.
• Strong understanding of retail operations, inventory, customer service, and POS systems.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with change management methodologies and tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage strategic project plans for retail operational improvements (scope, timelines, budgets, resources).
• Lead cross-functional teams from operations, IT, marketing, and supply chain.
• Identify process optimization opportunities and implement efficiency improvements.
• Oversee implementation of new retail technologies and software.
• Manage stakeholder communication and alignment at all levels.
• Conduct risk assessments and mitigation planning for project challenges.
• Monitor progress with KPIs and report to senior leadership.
• Ensure projects finish on time, within budget, and achieve benefits.
• Facilitate change management for new procedures.
• Conduct post-project reviews and document lessons learned.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Project management

Change management

Data analysis

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree (BA/Operations/related)

MBA

Tools

MS Project

Asana

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent national retail group, is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead initiatives focused on improving retail operations and enhancing customer experience across their network. This full-time, office-based role is located in East London, Eastern Cape . You will be instrumental in driving operational efficiency, implementing new retail technologies, and optimizing supply chain processes. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in project management within the retail or fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, with a proven ability to manage complex change initiatives. You will work closely with store managers, regional directors, and cross-functional teams to ensure the successful execution and adoption of operational improvements that directly impact the bottom line. This role is critical for maintaining our client's competitive edge in the Eastern Cape retail market.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage strategic project plans for retail operational improvements, including scope, timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Lead cross-functional project teams comprising members from operations, IT, marketing, and supply chain departments.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization and implement solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity in retail stores.
• Oversee the implementation of new retail technologies, systems, and software.
• Manage stakeholder communication, ensuring alignment and buy-in from all levels of the organization.
• Conduct thorough risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies for project challenges.
• Monitor project progress, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and provide regular reports to senior leadership.
• Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and deliver the intended business benefits.
• Facilitate change management processes to ensure smooth adoption of new operational procedures.
• Conduct post-project reviews and document lessons learned to inform future initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
• An MBA or relevant postgraduate degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in project management, with at least 5 years focused on retail operations or supply chain improvement projects.
• Proven track record of successfully managing projects in the retail or FMCG industry.
• Strong understanding of retail operational processes, including inventory management, customer service, and point-of-sale systems.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in project management software such as MS Project, Asana, or similar.
• Experience with change management methodologies and tools.
• Ability to analyze complex operational data and translate insights into actionable project plans.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to various retail locations within the Eastern Cape and beyond.

Benefits

• highly competitive salary and benefits package
• performance bonuses
• comprehensive medical aid
• retirement fund
• Opportunities for professional development
• leadership training
• career advancement
• We provide a stimulating and collaborative work environment in our East London headquarters.
• generous staff discount on products and services
• paid time off for personal and family needs