JOB CODE: MIT - LOS01

Woolworths Retail stores is a South African chain of retail stores modelled on Marks & Spencer of the United Kingdom. With its birthing in Lagos, Nigeria in 2011, and the opening of two Clothing retail stores in 2012, its goal is to open more stores in the country. With this expansion, Woolworths requires the services of established Store Managers with retail experience to function as Managers-in-Training and train within the Woolworths environment with a view to becoming a Store Manager in the short term.

JOB SUMMARY
The primary responsibility of the Manager –in- Training is to take care of the day-to-day operations of the store. He has to set work schedules by identifying, developing and coaching, and retaining a highly competent and energized store team, who take ownership and accountability for their business; maintain inventories; ensure customer satisfaction; design the layout of store merchandise, and report to the Store Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES
The Manager –in- Training’s day-to-day responsibilities will normally involve:

Customer issues
• Assisting customers and responding to customer complaints, requests, queries, and comments.
• Identifies current and future customer requirements by establishing rapport with potential and actual customers and other persons in a position to understand service requirements.
Sales issues
• Finding new ways to improve sales, meet sales targets, analyze figures, forecast volumes, and strategize.
• Formulates pricing policies by reviewing merchandising activities; determining additional needed sales promotion; studying trends.
• Markets merchandise by studying advertising, sales promotion, and display plans; analysing operating and financial statements for profitability ratios.

HR issues
• Recruiting, training, supervising, motivating, and reviewing staff, as well as resolving health, safety, and legal issues for the store. Maintains operations by initiating, coordinating, and enforcing program, operational, and personnel policies and procedures.
• Acting as a link between management and staff.
• Completes store operational requirements by scheduling and assigning employees; following up on work results.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed and conduct performance and development discussions (IPM) with the team.
• Ensures career paths are entrenched throughout the store

Inventory issues
• Maintaining stock levels, ensuring the quality of supplies, and supervising the quantity, type, and scheduling of orders.
• Ensures availability of merchandise and services

Display issues
• Planning the layout and design of displays.
• Secures merchandise by implementing security systems and measures.

Coordination issues
• Adhere to risk and business continuity plans and timeously resolve red flags with all departments in store
• Implement trading notes to ensure that the look and feel of the store is completely aligned to the Woolworths brand
• Manage 3rd party service providers through effective service level agreements and integrate them with the store operations
• Effectively manage all processes and procedures aimed at minimising shrinkage

Work Conditions

The retail store is a demanding and fast-paced workplace. Constant change and unpredictability are inseparable elements in the industry. Along with growth opportunities come deviations from normal work routines. The mangers spend most of their time on the sales floor rather than in the office. Frequent involvement with staff, interaction with customers, and observation of actual sales proceedings help retail managers more in their careers than sitting secluded in an office struggling with diagrams and charts.

A manager normally works 38 to 40 hours per week, including evenings and weekends, especially during busy periods near seasonal holidays.

GRADE/LEVEL: Senior Management

Skills / Qualifications
• Knowledge/Experience Areas: Customer Focus, Tracking Budget Expenses, Pricing, Vendor Relationships, Market Knowledge, Staffing, Results Driven, Strategic Planning, Management Proficiency, Client Relationships, Verbal Communication, Integrity
• Work involves frequent travels.

Qualified applicants should forward their CV and a cover letter with a detailed description on why they qualify for the position to hrmgrnigeria@woolworths.co.za . The job code of position applied should be used as the subject of the mail. Applications should be forwarded on or before 12th August 2012.