STORE MANAGER: HARTENBOS GARDEN WALK (NEW STORE OPENING)

Are you a dynamic leader ready to launch a brand-new retail destination? Ackermans, South Africa’s premier value-fashion retailer, is seeking a high-energy Store Manager for our upcoming New Store Opening at Hartenbos Garden Walk in the Western Cape. This is a permanent, full-time leadership position within our Operations – Stores department. We are looking for a self-starter who can build a team from the ground up, implement high store standards, and establish the Ackermans brand as a favorite in the Hartenbos community.

Job Overview

Role: Store Manager (New Store Opening)
Department: Operations – Stores
Location: Hartenbos, Mossel Bay (Garden Route), Western Cape
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: Market Related

Job Purpose

The Store Manager at Hartenbos Garden Walk is the ultimate custodian of our brand during the most critical phase: the New Store Opening. Your mission is to optimize sales and exceed customer expectations by executing the national operations strategy with precision. You will be responsible for recruiting and training a new team, managing the initial stock-up, and ensuring that the store opens with impeccable standards. This role requires a leader who can balance the excitement of a launch with the discipline of merchandise management, cost control, and operational compliance.

Key Performance Areas & Responsibilities

1. New Store Launch & Sales Optimization

Launch Execution: Lead the pre-opening phase, ensuring all visual merchandising, stock allocation, and staff schedules are in place for a successful grand opening.
Strategy Implementation: Execute the Ackermans operations strategy to achieve turnover targets from day one.
Customer Excellence: Establish a culture of exceptional service in a new market, ensuring Hartenbos shoppers become loyal VIC (Very Important Customer) members.

2. Financial & Merchandise Management

Stock Control: Manage the initial bulk stock-up and ongoing replenishment to ensure high availability while minimizing shrinkage.
Cost Management: Oversee store budgets and expenses, maintaining strict control over the store’s financial performance.
Administrative Accuracy: Manage all back-office functions, including daily banking, cash-up reconciliations, and audit preparations.

3. Team Leadership & Development

Staff Recruitment & Induction: Play a lead role in hiring and inducting a brand-new team of Phadimas (staff).
Development Orientation: Inspire and develop your team through consistent coaching, ensuring they are equipped with the product knowledge and skills to succeed.
Culture Building: Foster a positive, energetic, and high-performance culture that reflects the Ackermans values of courage, care, and commitment.

4. Store Standards & Brand Custodianship

Visual Excellence: Maintain high store standards through diligent housekeeping and adherence to corporate planograms.
Policy Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to all company policies, procedures, and Occupational Health and Safety (OHSA) requirements.
Audit Readiness: Build a disciplined environment where the store is always ready for internal and external audits.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

To be considered for the Store Manager position at Hartenbos Garden Walk, candidates must meet the following:

Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of retail experience, which must include at least one (1) year in a supervisory and/or management position.
Education: Grade 12 (Matric) or equivalent is essential.
- Advantage: Further qualifications related to Retail Management, Business, or Finance.
Skills: * Outstanding merchandise management, stock, and cost control skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively in English (written and verbal).
- Competence in a second official language (e.g., Afrikaans) is a significant advantage in the Hartenbos/Mossel Bay area.
Attributes: Energetic self-starter with a proven ability to influence and lead a team.

Core Competencies

Resilience: Thriving under the pressure of a new store launch.
Integrity: Handling sensitive information and financial assets with sincerity and care.
Results-Oriented: Focused on achieving objectives and exceeding sales budgets.
Planning: Systematically organizing activities and setting priorities for the new team.

Why Join the Hartenbos Garden Walk Team?

Hartenbos is a premier destination in the Garden Route. Joining this new store offers:

Launch Experience: The rare opportunity to manage a store from its very first day of trading.
Career Growth: Ackermans prioritizes internal development, providing clear paths to District and Regional management.
Stable Employment: A permanent role within a secure and market-leading retail giant.

How to Apply

If you have the leadership drive and retail expertise to make the Hartenbos Garden Walk launch a success, please apply via our official careers portal.

Official Apply Link: Store Manager – Hartenbos Garden Walk

Note: Should you not be contacted within four weeks after the closure of the advert, please assume you have been unsuccessful. Preference will be given to internal applicants and candidates who enhance team diversity.

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