Job Title: Operations Manager

Location: Bellville – Cape Town

Employment Type: Full-time

Department: Operations

Role Overview

A leading retail organisation is seeking a highly experienced and results-driven Operations Manager to lead and optimise end-to-end retail supply chain operations across South Africa.

This senior leadership role carries full accountability for the operational backbone of the business , including procurement, supplier management, inbound logistics, inventory control, warehousing, distribution centre performance, retail replenishment, and e-commerce order fulfilment.

The Operations Manager forms part of the senior leadership team and reports directly to executive management. This role is critical in protecting margins, driving operational efficiency, ensuring stock integrity, and enabling scalable growth across both physical retail stores and online channels.

Key Responsibilities

1. End-to-End Supply Chain Leadership

• Oversee procurement, supplier negotiations, inbound logistics, receiving, warehousing, and distribution to stores.
• Manage supplier performance, trading terms, and service-level agreements (KPI model).
• Monitor and follow up on supplier deliveries according to retail standards (barcodes, expiry dates, quality, labelling, etc.).
• Optimise stock availability while controlling working capital and stock holding risk.

2. Inventory Management & Systems Oversight

• Full accountability for inventory management through the current inventory system.
• Protect and monitor data accuracy in the inventory management system.
• Ensure high stock accuracy across stores and the distribution centre.
• Actively manage stock ageing, shrinkage, expiry risk, and obsolescence.
• Lead the needs analysis, selection, and potential implementation of a new ERP system.
• Drive digital transformation and process automation where applicable.

3. Distribution Centre & E-Commerce Fulfilment

• Oversee full operations of the distribution centre.
• Ensure efficient inbound processing and outbound store replenishment.
• Lead and optimise online order fulfilment and last-mile coordination.
• Implement scalable processes to support omnichannel retail growth.
• Ensure operational continuity plans are in place.

4. SOP Governance & Operational Compliance

• Protect and enforce all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure operational discipline and compliance across all stores and warehouse operations.
• Implement measurable KPIs and operational dashboards.
• Continuously improve internal controls and process efficiencies.

5. Leadership & Team Management

• Lead cross-functional operational teams (procurement, warehouse, inventory, fulfilment).
• Build a high-performance culture with strong accountability.
• Develop middle management capability.
• Ensure punctual execution and operational discipline.
• Align operational teams with strategic company objectives.

Strategic Contribution

• Member of the leadership team.
• Contribute to retail expansion strategy and store growth planning.
• Support margin improvement initiatives.
• Identify operational risks and proactively mitigate them.
• Ensure operational scalability to support long-term growth.

Candidate Profile

Experience

• Minimum 8–10 years in senior retail operations or supply chain leadership.
• Strong experience within South African retail (multi-store environment preferred).
• Proven track record managing distribution centres and inventory systems.
• Experience with ERP evaluation and implementation advantageous.
• Experience in omnichannel retail operations strongly preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial and financial acumen (margin, stock turn, working capital).
• Deep understanding of retail supply chain dynamics in South Africa.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High operational discipline and process orientation.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial retail environment.

Personal Attributes

• High integrity and accountability.
• Structured, hands-on, and execution-focused.
• Strong leadership presence.
• Resilient and adaptable within a changing operating environment.
• Results-driven with strong attention to detail.

Why This Role Is Critical

This role safeguards operational excellence and profitability by ensuring that products are available at the right time, in the right quantity, and at the right cost, while protecting the organisation against stock losses, inefficiencies, and compliance risks.

This is a senior leadership role with significant strategic impact and long-term growth potential.

Benefits :

• Competitive monthly salary
• Medical aid
• Phone/data & petrol allowance
• Bonus incentive