Our client is a leader in the used car arena.  They are currently seeking to appoint an experienced Senior Retail Manager to lead operations at their Centurion hypermarket dealership.  The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing a dynamic team of sales staff, driving performance and ensuring exceptional customer service across all departments.

This is a full-time, permanent, on-site position.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience in retail management - preferably in a hypermarket or large-format store
• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Ability to manage sales targets, inventory and operational efficiency
• Excellent communication and customer engagement abilities
• Familiarity with retail systems and reporting tools

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the hypermarket dealership, ensuring smooth and efficient functioning
• Lead, motivate and manage a team of sales staff to achieve performance targets
• Implement and monitor sales strategies, promotions and customer engagement initiatives
• Manage inventory levels, rotation and merchandising standards
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and regulatory requirements
• Analyse sales reports and KPIs to identify growth opportunities and operational improvements
• Handle customer queries and complaints professionally and promptly
• Collaborate with suppliers, logistics and finance teams to optimise store performance
• Conduct regular staff training and performance evaluations

Candidate Requirements

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in retail management, preferably in a hypermarket or large-format store
• Proven leadership and team management skills
• Strong understanding of retail operations, merchandising and customer service
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and problem-solving abilities
• Proficiency in retail systems and reporting tools
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to a fast-paced environment
• Matric required; tertiary qualification in Retail Management or Business Administration is an advantage

 

To be a strong Retail Manager who can truly drive sales teams, especially in a high-pressure environment like a hypermarket, it takes a blend of leadership, strategy and emotional intelligence.

Here's what separates the good from the great:

Core Competencies of a High-Impact Senior Retail Manager

1. Leadership That Inspires

• Sets a clear vision and energises the team around shared goals
• Leads by example with professionalism, punctuality and customer focus
• Builds trust through transparency and consistency

2. Sales-Driven Mindset

• Understands sales metrics and how to influence them (conversion rate, basket size, foot traffic)
• Coaches staff on upselling, cross-selling and customer engagement
• Uses promotions and campaigns strategically to boost revenue

3. Operational Excellence

• Manages inventory, merchandising and store layout to maximise sales
• Ensures smooth daily operations with minimal disruptions
• Keeps the store compliant with health, safety and regulatory standards

4. Team Development & Motivation

• Recruits and retains top talent
• Provides regular feedback, recognition and growth opportunities
• Handles conflict with fairness and emotional intelligence

5. Customer-Centric Approach

• Creates a culture of service excellence
• Handles complaints with empathy and resolution-focused thinking
• Understands local customer behaviour and tailors the experience accordingly

6. Data-Driven Decision Making

• Analyses sales reports, customer feedback and market trends
• Makes informed decisions to adjust staffing, stock and strategy
• Tracks KPIs and sets performance benchmarks

Bonus Traits That Elevate Performance

Trait & Why It Matters

Resilience - retail is fast-paced and unpredictable

Adaptability - markets shift so must your strategy

Tech Savvy - POS systems, CRM tools and analytics

Commercial Awareness - knows what drives profit and margin

Communication Skills - keeps staff aligned and customers engaged

A strong Retail Manager doesn’t just manage—they lead, coach and elevate