Duties:Competitive shopping and market analysis.Understanding of retail pricing ladders and cost implications.Monitoring the stock quality and escalating discrepancies to buyers and management.Running and analysing reports on regular basis.Communicating and coordinating with the Operations team and Buyers.Assisting the Buying Team in planning promotional activities.Visit stores regularly and build a trust relationship with the Operators, and Ops Team.Controlling and giving direction to the Operations department.Ensure all processes and operational aspects are implemented and followed in order to achieve sales and operational targets performance by store, department, category, and item; and take steps to achieve budgeted sales.Monitors and attend to effective and efficient space utilisation for effective sales, including, but not limited to, space being allocated and planned in accordance to turnover contribution.To be aware of competitors marketing /merchandising processes and practices. Check daily with store responsible on the reports that they need to pull and follow up on any issues.Analyse weekly foot count reports per store. Analyse and report on same, with reasons and recommendations.Analyse against previous year and monthVerify if there were/are promotions during these periods.Recommend ways to increase foot count.Factors that affected foot count. Analyse and report on the monthly ranking report by /department and by store Monthly. Including reasons and recommendations.Department increase and decrease of sales (value and percentage)Change in position ranking compared to previous month.Suggested reasons why there is a change in ranking.Recommendations on how to increase sales on top ranking departments as well as recommendations and suggestions on how to improve the bottom ranking departments.Seasonal sales affecting ranking of departments.Promotional sales affecting ranking of departments. Weekly/monthly Analyse and report on why the KVI is dropping in sales and recommend solutions.View Kvi listing to check stock availability and levels.Run a comparison between different periods to monitor sales levels.Run a comparison between competitor store (eg. 002 vs 005) to monitor the sales levels and differences.Discuss and action changes to maximise sales.Manage Tester and counter supply stock levels at stores to ensure that there are no out of stocks or abuse of these items.Store Operational (controllable) costs such as:Planning and recommending staffing rosters/plans and limiting staff expensesLiaises with Sales Manager to recommend changes, layout, products and pricing, improvements in merchandise mix andRecommend to Sales Manager/ markdowns/discounts/promotions to clear stock with Buyers and sales manager.Control/replenishment and return of model stocks.Control promotional model stock and targets. Ensure correct model stocks are in place for each plu based on sales.Ensure availability of stock in all storesReport/Recommend and advise on trends and new market opportunities. Competitor informationNew productsPromotional trendsAdvertisingTo have a good Product knowledgeOptimise presentation of line selections per promotion and monitor and report on its effectiveness.Merchandising/displays of promotional lines.Review sales of promotional linesShare promotion display information between stores to increase sales at poorly performing stores.Monitor sales after actioning display changes.Recommend any layout changes / improvements to Sales Manager improve sales.Store display structures are installed and placed strategically to optimise sales in a safe manner and look presentable.Control of shelving and display material and quantities.Oversee merchandising and to maintain standardisation across all stores.Visit potential sites with the basis of providing input on possibility of success.Propose and recommend store designs and layouts.Analyse/recommend and plan staffing requirements.Analysing of product range to meet the demographics of the area.Installation of shelving as per agreed layout and design. Reporting weekly/monthly on the Effective merchandising of the new store to achieve optimal sales, including any recommendations.Induct and train new store staff on operations.Instil/ monitor/ motivate and report monthly on all staff at all times that Stores must give best possible service to all its customers.Understand and communicate Company operational strategy and tactics to align with point 2 above.Ensure and maintain a high level of staff motivation.Labour scheduling by day / week and by monthPromote staff development (including appraisals) and training, by store.Reporting and referring to HR, where necessary resolving staff/employee issues /incidents. Nature of issueWho was the issue discussed with (Hr).Decision taken regarding the issue.Has the issue been resolved/outcome.Recommendations on how to avoid these issues in the future.Staff Time management-Check security report and assist with staff issues and disciplinary actions and provide monthly reports to HR/G ManagerAll disciplinary action to be sent to Hr as each issue is addressed.Summary of all issues to be sent to Hr/Gm on a weekly basis. Follow up and action daily security reports with regards to disciplinary action and training identified.Discuss with staff issues picked up on security reports.Identify training required for staff from issues reported.Plan and action training with the assistance of the HR departmentMinimum Requirements:Matric.Relevant Diploma or Degree would be an added advantage.3+ years experience in a Operations Manager role in a Retail / FMCG environment.Valid drivers license and own reliable vehicle.