Store Manager

Job description / Role

JOB PURPOSE: Drive sales through the performance and development of the Sales Team. Ensure the delivery of exceptional operational, commercial and customer service standards

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Propose and develop strategies to increase store traffic and optimize profitability. Review and monitor Retail KPIs and develop action plans to achieve set targets and address any issues.
- Communicate store targets to the team and drive sales to achieve financial objectives. Manage expenses to optimize results.
- Maintain operations by supporting and ensuring compliance with company’s Standard Operating Procedure.
- Maintain staffing Levels consistent with operational needs to ensure exceptional customer service. Prepare schedules and ensure adequate shift coverage.
- Achieve targeted Mystery Shopping results through on-going development and training of the team. Ensure that the Sales Team works towards achieving an outstanding rating in store customer experience.
- Resolve customer complaints and respond to comments in a timely and professional manner.
- Oversee the store’s after sales processes and ensure full adherence to repair/return policies and procedures through proper communication with internal stakeholders.
- Identify current and future customer requirements by establishing rapports with potential and existing customers. Report on buying trends and customer needs.
- Conduct regular stock takes and store operations audits to ensure compliance with company’s Standard Operating Procedures.
- Generate & analyze sales reports and liaise with Brand Management and Merchandising teams to maximize stock potential. Submit daily invoices and sales recap to Finance.
- Develop and maintain a system for monitoring and controlling inventory levels that result in minimal shrinkage. Resolve discrepancies identified in the inventory report.
- Maintain awareness of market trends and competition. Share recommendation with Line Manager.
- Ensure that the team is adequately trained in inventory management techniques such as in-bound and out bound movement of goods, receiving, stocking, restocking, transfers and managing inventory discrepancies.
- Ensure merchandise is secure by developing and implementing security measures and monitoring surveillance equipment.
- Maintain proper loss prevention standards and ensure compliance with cash handling, safe and deposits procedures.
- Coordinate with facilities department on repairs or replacements of furniture or equipment. Support company maintenance standards/programs to optimize asset life.
- Ensure interior and exterior of the store are maintained to company and brand standards.
- Communicate and execute marketing and visual merchandising programs.
- Communicate and execute sales promotions and new product launches. Establish periodic and on-going communication with the store team and Area Manager.
- Stimulate and foster a positive environment and team spirit that lead to high productivity by training, challenging, motivating and providing constructive guidance to the team in line with Company policy.
- Develop an effective communication platform to maintain comprehensive knowledge of products and services and ensure shared understanding of business activities and priorities.
- Promote safe work habits, identify and resolve safety hazards. Document accidents and determine root cause and propose solutions.
- Provide on-going training and development to the team in the area of operating standards, customer service and product knowledge.
- Develop team members by establishing specific performance objectives and regularly measuring performance.
- Identify team members with potential for development and growth and work closely with Line Manager and HR on effective development and succession plans.
- Jointly with HR, ensure that trends of underperformance are formally addressed, with clear and documented performance improvement plans.

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal
- Brand Managers
- Retail Directors
- Store Managers
- Wholesale Manager/ B2B Division
- Supply Chain & Logistics
- Visual Merchandising Department
- Marketing Department

External
- Customers

Requirements

- Bachelors’ Degree in Business Administration or equivalent
- Minimum of 5 years experience in retail store operations, 2 of which in a managerial position.

Job-Specific Skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to influence and drive performance
- Effectiveness in managing, training and developing a team
- Strong Organizational Skills
- Strong operational skills
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Ability to adapt quickly to strategic change
- Strong analytical skills and business acumen – forecasting ability and knowledgeable in store operations metrics/numeric reporting
- Quality and customer service orientation
- Trustworthy and with good ethical background

Competencies
- Motivating Others
- Commercial Awareness
- Team Management
- Developing Talent
- Customer Focus and Understanding
- Result Orientation

About the Company

Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is a family owned entity with a large portfolio of Swiss Watch brands. Thanks to its brand strategy and the vision of the late Mr. Ahmed Seddiqi, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons has enjoyed a steady expansion since its inception in the late 1940s.

At the group, we believe that each employee contributes to the growth and success of the company, and this is evident with the strong and loyal workforce of 480 plus employees, some of whom have been with the organization since 1968.

Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is the largest distributor of Swiss Brand watches in the Middle East. We offer world-class and exquisitely designed watches and jewellery. From a humble beginning of a single store in 1950s, today Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons portfolio consists of over 50 prestigious brands across 52 locations in the UAE.