Job Description

Country Store Manager

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Zambia

Reporting To: Operations Manager

Location: Zambia

About the role:
The Country Store Manager will oversee daily operations of the company’s retail centers, managing staff, inventory management both at the retail centers and extending to the field operations, customer relations, and overall store performance to ensure operational efficiency. The role involves regular travel within the zone.

What you would be expected to do:

Team Management and Staff Development

• Manage and mentor Regional Store Coordinators
• Hire, train, supervise and evaluate performance of field operations team
• Build, mentor, and manage high-performing field operations team
• Formulate strategies geared at motivating field operations teams to ensure maximum output and achieve operational efficiency
• Manage people-centric initiatives and strategies promoting a safe working environment
• Foster a culture of inclusivity, respect, and team work within the Field Operations team
• Manage on trainings and content development within the field operations team
• Manage time – off for the field operations tea m

Retail Centre Expansion

• Scout for prime locations for expansion of retail centers
• Relationship management between landlords and the company
• Work with all internal stakeholders on projects that revolve around the retail centers
• Manage customer centric processes and engagements within the retail centers
• Oversee operational process formulation and implementation geared at improving how retail centers operate
• Manage training for operation processes that revolve around retail centers
• Optimize processes and implement best practices to improve productivity and service delivery.

Order and Inventory Management

• Manage data inventory planning techniques to prevent stock outs within the zone
• Engage the Operations planning team to guide and advise on stocking based on planned field campaigns and any ongoing field activities to match demand and supply
• Proactively engage stakeholders to drive strategies and initiatives to reduce inventory holding days
• Manage development of process and implementation geared at reduction of inventory leakages within the supply chain
• Prepare inventory reports showing cases improvement areas and data corrective measures
• Formulate strategies and performance KPIs around inventory management and controls
• Engage stakeholders to regularly review policies and controls established to adjust and replace any that doesn’t promote higher turnover of inventory
• Plan and schedule for impromptu inventory checks within the retail centers extending to what is out in the field held by field agents
• Prepare and check sales reports to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor stock levels and coordinate with the warehouse to replenish inventory

Cost Management

• Continuously explore cost reduction initiatives
• Manage cost effective processes and initiatives within the field operations team
• Manage cost effectiveness within the field operations team. This includes but not limited to monthly expenses for the field operations team

Compliance

• Ensure that all retail centers are compliant with both County and National Government rules
• Coordinate regular Health and Safety audits to progressively address any risks that might exist in the retail centers
• Recommend and implement safety guidelines by working with the internal safety team to avert all risks within the retail centers
• Participate in precautionary initiatives as members of the health and safety ensuring safety of all persons within the supply chain
• Ensure that all retail centers are equipped with the recommended safety equipment as per OSHA requirements.

Innovation

• Be on the lookout for new trends within the supply chain field that will improve and enhance inventory management processes
• Recommend to management new processes, need to revamp process to efficiently help the day-to-day operations of the retail centers
• Mitigate operational risks and manage crisis situations effectively.
• Monitor performance metrics and generate regular reports

Any other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

You might be a strong candidate if you:

• Proven track record in managing cross-functional teams and scaling operations
  Has a degree qualification, preferably in supply chain management, statistics, or any finance-related field.
• 2-3 years’ working experience in finance, supply chain management, and/or statistics.
• Demonstrates knowledge in contract management.
• Knowledge and working experience with an ERP, preferably SAP
• Ability to work comfortably with and maintain large volumes of data in Excel.
• Ability to multitask and address priorities.
• Goal-oriented and organized team player
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel)
• Excellent verbal & written communication skills
• Ability to work remotely under minimal supervision.
• Excellent problem-solving skills

What we offer (in addition to compensation and statutory benefits):

• Professional growth in a dynamic, rapidly expanding, high-social-impact industry.
• An open-minded, collaborative culture made up of enthusiastic colleagues who are driven by the challenge of innovation towards profound impact on people and the planet.
• A truly multicultural experience: you will have the chance to work with and learn from people from different geographies, nationalities, and backgrounds.
• Structured, tailored learning and development programs that help you become a better leader, manager, and professional through the Sun Center for Leadership.