Store Manager

Job Profile: Store Manager

Location: Harare, Zimbabwe

Position Type: Full-time, Executive / Senior Store Operations

Reports To: Retail Operations Director / Board of Directors

Role Summary

We are seeking an exceptional, high-energy Store Manager with proven entrepreneurial acumen to lead our flagship store Operating in a premier retail catchment area, you will run the branch with an owner’s mindset—balancing strict commercial discipline with a curated customer experience.

The successful candidate will take full accountability for P&L, curate a sophisticated product mix tailored to discerning local and diaspora clientele, champion flawless service standards, and maintain world-class fresh food offerings.

Key Areas of Accountability

1. Premium Assortment & Merchandising (Upmarket Focus)

Curate & Localize: Continuously identify high-value consumer trends, specialty imports, organic/health-conscious foods, gourmet groceries, and fine wines to meet the expectations of an affluent community.

Supplier & Sourcing Engagement: Work with category managers and specialty artisans/distributors to ensure niche, high-margin, and exclusive products remain consistently in stock.

Visual Merchandising: Uphold boutique-level presentation, optimal shelf layouts, clear pricing, and compelling seasonal displays that drive basket size.

2. Exceptional Customer Experience

Service Culture: Lead from the shop floor, establishing a white-glove, customer-first service culture among front-of-house, checkout, and floor teams.

Client Engagement: Build genuine relationships with regular shoppers, diplomats, and local business patrons; handle escalations with diplomacy, empathy, and speed.

Loyalty & Retention: Monitor customer feedback loops and drive initiatives to maximize repeat visits and brand affinity.

3. Fresh Foods & Service Departments Leadership

Operational Excellence: Oversee the daily operations of all fresh and service departments: Bakery, Butchery, Deli/Hot Foods, and Fresh Produce.

Quality & Cold Chain Integrity: Enforce rigorous standards for freshness, rotation (FIFO), temperature control, and presentation from delivery bay to consumer basket.

Wastage & Shrink Control: Implement tight production planning, portion control, and markdown policies to minimize shrink while maintaining full, vibrant counters.

Hygiene & Compliance: Ensure full compliance with national health and safety standards, food safety regulations, and SPAR international hygiene benchmarks.

4. Commercial Drive & Financial Performance

P&L Management: Own sales targets, gross profit margins, operational expenditure, stockturn, and cash flow.

Loss Prevention & Risk: Oversee inventory integrity, stock takes, internal shrinkage mitigation, and cash handling controls across multiple currency tender types.

Team Leadership: Recruit, train, and inspire a high-performing retail team, fostering accountability, continuous development, and high staff morale.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

Experience: Minimum 5–8 years in retail management, with at least 3 years heading a high-volume supermarket or premium food retail operation Commercial Mindset: Demonstrated ability to spot margin opportunities, manage cost centers, and treat the store as an independent enterprise.

Fresh Foods Expertise: Strong hands-on background in butchery, deli, bakery, or fresh produce management.

Education: Degree or Diploma in Retail Management, Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field preferred.