About the company:

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African Basket is a chain of retail stores under the Shingai Group, a growing retail group headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. The focus of this job description is specifically on African Basket, which offers an authentic African retail experience to cosmopolitan Africans. African Basket has a total of 16 stores located throughout South Africa, where visitors can enjoy the best of African cuisine, arts, crafts, and experiences.

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African Basket's primary goal is to provide customers with "The Taste of Home." This expression is used to describe the experience that our customers have when visiting African Basket stores. It refers to the items that remind people of their home, such as the tastes of traditional African foods, the textures of African textiles, the feel of African crafts, and the sounds of African music. African Basket strives to offer all its customers a sense of familiarity and comfort that comes with experiencing The Taste of Home.

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About the Industry:

The retail industry is fast-paced and sensitive. We sell fast-moving goods which include perishables and non-perishables which need to be moved off shelves as quickly as possible to ensure the longevity and quality of the product are maintained. Customers are highly engaged and value accurate and timely information, as well as outstanding customer service.

 

The retail industry also offers countless opportunities to those who make the most of it, and growth is inevitable. We stand as a firm player and believe that we offer a once in a lifetime opportunity for learning, growth, leadership, and excellence.

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About the role: 

African Basket is looking for an experienced resourceful Head of Stores to join our African Basket Team. The incumbent will be required to conduct detailed day-to-day management of their stores while providing excellent customer service to all who walk through the door. The incumbent will report directly to the Stores Supervisor and is required to conduct all activities in alignment with South African Laws and African Basket Policies and Standard Operating Procedures.

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The role is a full-time position, which requires the incumbent to be at work 6 days a week, including weekends.

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We expect the incumbent to be punctual, honest, agile, problem solving, able and willing to learn new skills as the company grows, resourceful at all times, willing to take responsibility and accountability, to foster an environment of trust with customers and team members alike, honest with money and open with ideas and information.

Position: 12 Months Contract
Placement: On location, in-store
Remuneration: Negotiable

What to expect from the role:

1.    A fast-paced environment
2.    A growth environment
3.    A challenge and greater understanding of this niche market of shopper
4.    An opportunity to be guided by professionals in the industry
5.    A dynamic environment which adapts quickly to changes
6.    Exposure to retail and fast-moving goods marketing and campaign execution

Skills:

Candidate must possess sales and marketing skills, strong report writing, analytical skills, presentation skills, financial acumen, planning and coordination, and attention to detail to be considered.

 

The ideal candidate should have excellent presentation skills, write detailed reports, analyze complex data, and possess a strong grasp of financial concepts and attention to detail.

 

Responsibilities:

You will be responsible for the overall strategic and operational management of all African Basket Stores to create the best in-store experience for customers.

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Sales Management:
•    Develop a sales strategy for all stores to ensure an increase in overall store sales. 
•    Translate strategy into operational implementation plans and manage the execution thereof.
•    Develop reporting in order to manage the profitability of stores and products in store. 
•    Work with the marketing department to develop and run sales and marketing strategies and campaigns for stores.

•    Develop sales campaigns to maximise stores foot traffic.
•    Analyse and design store layout to ensure maximum usage of space and effective product placing in order to drive sales.
•    Ensure annual sales targets are met.

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Customer Experience Management:

•    Management of overall customer service in all stores to ensure the best customer experience.
•    Create plans to manage customer loyalty and customer retention.

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Inventory Management: 

•    Work closely with supply chain to ensure store inventory is managed and supply is maintained at all stores.
•    Manage reporting provided by store managers to ensure adequate stock at all times.
•    Analyse trends and develop purchase plans for stores.
•    Ensure minimum loss of stock in stores.

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Stores Operations:

•    Ensure optimum operation of stores and zero downtime 
•    Develop plans to ensure all stores operate effectively, this includes management of resources such as electricity, store cleanliness etc 
•    Develop plans to ensure minimum losses in all stores
•    Management of health and safety in all stores

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Staff Management:

•    Along with store managers, develop and train in store employees to provide best in class service to customers.
•    Manage the performance of in store employees by ensuring clear goals and objectives are set and managed. 
•    Oversee and manage the recruitment of in-store staff.
•    Work with Human resources to develop HR strategy to ensure optimum performance of in-store employees.
•    Manage overall health and safety in all stores.

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Requirements:

•    Proven work experience as Operations Manager or similar role
•    Knowledge of organizational effectiveness and operations management
•    Experience budgeting and forecasting
•    Familiarity with business and financial principles
•    Excellent communication skills
•    Leadership ability
•    Outstanding organisational skills

Education and Experience:

•    Matric or the equivalent 
•    Relevant tertiary qualification 
•    Customer service and Marketing training

•    7-10 Years in the Retail environment
•    5 years experience in a management role in a retail environment

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The incumbent is required to perform all tasks in a safe manner consistent with the Company Policies, Employee Code of Conduct, the Workplace Rules and Country Laws. All duties described in this document are to be performed in keeping with the core values and service attributes consistent with the African Basket brand and strategy.