Store Manager – Wellington

R16 000 – R18 000 Per Month Negotiable based on qualification and experience

Established and Reputable Hardware company is seeking a strong leader, numerically strong and customer centric Store Manager to join their dynamic team of professionals.

The Store Manager is responsible for overseeing daily store operations, driving sales growth, managing staff, and ensuring compliance with company standards.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILIES:

Operational management

Ensure the store is effectively managed and always maintained

Always provide the highest standard of service to customers ensuring staffing levels adequately satisfy customer demand at peak trading times and that the store team understand the service level requirements.

Review and monitor the nature of all complaints ensuring they are resolved promptly and professionally

Oversee the day-to-day leadership of team members

Take responsibility for the efficient and effective running of the store

Ensure the store adheres to company and legislative operating policies and procedures, e.g. housekeeping, merchandising standards etc.

Liaise with Head Office / Support Centre to ensure the overall goals of the branch are met

Ensure good security practices are followed and always maintained during and outside of trading hours

Liaise with suppliers as and when required to maintain a good working relationship with them.

Advise on product knowledge, queries, stock, merchandising, pricing, promotions when needed

Ensure proper procedures are in place for all store activities and communicated throughout

Maintain an awareness of competitor activity and report any relevant issues to the appropriate parties.

Gas movement between store and storage, including arranging pick-up of stock at the supplier

Arranging pick-up of stock at suppliers and Spiro’s when needed

Store Planning

Prepare effectively for upcoming promotions

Maintain a good knowledge of promotional product

Ensure stock, price tickets, and support material is prepared

Prepare new merchandising ideas in advance

Assist in staff preparation including upcoming rosters when required

Contribute to the planning of long-term objectives for the store

IR/Personnel

Consulting and negotiating with management, staff and head office over working conditions etc., and ensuring open communications

Representing the company in disciplinary hearings and chairing and preparing outcomes of disciplinary hearings

Discuss staff performance problems with HR

Participate in development of recommendations regarding personnel policies

Supervising the recruitment and hiring process of all staff at store level

Assisting with staff training

Planning, assigning and reviewing work of the current workforce and ensuring that all staff have suitable workloads

Assisting Company in complying with health and safety regulations

Conducting investigations into employee grievances and general work-related problems

Assisting in new employee orientation to foster positive attitude toward organization goals

Dealing with all other HR/IR related queries

Stock Management (stock on floor)

Ensure continual improvements in stock availability and inventory controls.

Identify slow selling lines and communicate with the stock team.

Obsolete stock to be returned to the supplier or marked down.

Ensure fast moving, high margin lines are always available.

Ensure stock items are priced correctly.

Monitor and control all aspects of store shrinkage.

Monitor cement and sand levels.

Investigate non scanning items and negative stock.

Maintain GP% by monitoring GP% reports.

Shelf talkers are effectively displayed at the correct price.

Empty pegs are identified and a stock take performed on the stock.

Shelf talkers are effectively displayed at the correct price.

Shelves are merchandised correctly.

Stock always pulled forward on the shelves.

STORE SALES AND MARKETING

Ensure stock availability is at optimum levels to encourage maximum spend.

Conduct regular reviews of immediate competitors and work with Head Office / Support Centre in implementing initiatives to minimise or counter the effect of competitor activity

Liaising with marketing, continually develop store trading plans geared to building on strengths and improving weaknesses

Ensure the store offer is consistent with the requirement of the local catchment area

Maximise sales opportunities through impulse purchases

Monitor departmental sales forecasts against TO. Recognise problem areas and develop solutions with management to rectify.

Liaise with senior management team to devise sales building strategies.

Special Orders

Approve and authorise special orders.

Quotations

Approve and authorise quotations.

Promotions

Work through national promotion working documents and order required stock for the promotion.

Speak with marketing regarding ideas for in store promotions.

Create effective displays to facilitate sales.

ADMINISTRATION PROCESSES

Ensure correct procedures are followed for price overrides, and that they are completed efficiently

Conduct staff appraisals on a regular basis to measure staff performance and implement corrective action where necessary.

Ensure cleanliness of the store.

Conduct department ratings monthly.

Manage deliveries to customers.

COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

Comply with all Health and Safety Guidelines and Procedures in accordance with current legislation

Comply with Company Policies and Procedures

Ensure staff work in a safe manner and follow all safety procedures

Ensure staff are provided with and use protective/safety equipment where necessary

Report on and manage hazards, incidents and work-related injuries / accidents promptly and efficiently

Ensure fire safety and OHS requirements are met

Investigate all accidents and take remedial action

Ensure all risk assessments are kept up to date

RELATIONSHIPS WITH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CUSTOMERS AND PERSONNEL

Create and maintain a professional, friendly working relationship, sharing information as needed

Deliver excellence in customer service always acting in the best interests of the company.

Manage all issues as arising, maintain open communication channels and report progress.

Deal promptly with customer complaints to maintain satisfaction.

Ensures a high level of product knowledge and sales techniques is maintained in the team.

Promoting a positive team culture and encouraging continuous development and career growth.

FINANCE

Review monthly income statement in terms of accuracy with regards to sales and GP Ensure all operating expenses is managed within budget or forecast

Assist the finance department in compiling budget and forecasts.

Ensure that staff are scheduled in such a way that no unnecessary overtime expense in incurred.

STAFF MANAGEMENT

Manage team members in a way that maximises their performance.

Promote a team culture which encourages a positive working environment through adopting the appropriate managerial style of leadership, organisation and direction

Encourage and promote continuous development of individuals through training and mentoring

Set measurable targets for staff and review achievements at the appropriate time

Ensure team members are performing to required standards

Tasks completed on time

Quality of work meets or exceeds expected standards

Always dressed to Company standards

High level of product knowledge and sales techniques maintained

Conduct regular and effective appraisals with all team members, and use the appraisals as a basis for improving performance

Identify performance shortfalls and take the necessary corrective actions

Assist team members as needed and have a good understanding of their duties.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Maintain store assets effectively and to required legal and safety standards.

Maintain a safe and clean office / work area.

Ensure that safety procedures are adhered to.

Continuously endeavour to provide a safe work environment for fellow staff and customers in the store.

Ensure employee protective equipment or clothing items are worn with regards to the health and safety requirements.

Implement all health and safety initiatives.

Report unsafe situations and behaviour.

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Matric
• Fully bilingual in English and Afrikaans is essential!
• Minimum 5 Assistant Store Management/Store Management experience within Hardware/ Retail / Supply Chain / similar environment
• Solid MS Office skills in particular with MS Outlook, Word, Excel
• Service-oriented team member with excellent communication skills and friendly demeanour.
• Ability to make quick decisions
• Ability to follow clear instructions
• Financial inclination and understanding - essential
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills
• Able to manage time and staff schedules effectively
• Must be comfortable handling pressure and leading by example