Store Manager (UCOOK Cape Town Stores)

Store Manager (UCOOK Cape Town Stores)

JOB OVERVIEW

An opportunity has become available for a Store Manager at UCOOK. We are looking for a capable, dynamic and experienced store manager for our UCOOK stores in Cape Town. Our ideal candidate has strong leadership skills and a passion for excellent customer service. They will have experience in food retail management, with abilities in store operations, merchandising, inventory control and people management.

This role is not tied to one location. The Store Manager will work across our Cape Town stores (currently Cavendish and Adelphi) and may be required to work at, or move between, any UCOOK store as and when the business needs.

UCOOK is a tech start-up and meal kit delivery service based in Cape Town. Our team of chefs create 32 recipes for our customers to choose from each week, and we deliver the fresh, locally sourced ingredients to their door. We are now expanding into physical retail and we're looking for a key member of our team to ensure the success of this venture.

Responsibilities

Sales & Customer Service

- Ensure customers receive outstanding service in a friendly environment, with excellent product knowledge and knowledge of all aspects of UCOOK.

- Greet customers and create a memorable in-store experience.

- Handle customer issues, including refunds, complaints and questions.

- Maximise store sales targets, modelling successful sales techniques and customer service standards for the team.

- Monitor local market conditions, mall standings and competitors to maximise sales and meet or exceed set goals.

- Analyse sales and productivity reports and suggest new strategies to the team.

- Train & monitor staff to ensure they meet UCOOK's service expectations.

Stock & Inventory Management

- Place weekly and monthly orders across all product categories (Frozen, Packaging, Hygiene & Cleaning, Stationery) and communicate when stock is required.

- Manage stock receiving, counts and stock takes. Perform regular, accurate counts with the team, report them to the Head Office and maintain a benchmark of 95% stock accuracy.

- Plan and prepare the stock process timeously according to company policy.

- Ensure stock is rotated correctly (FIFO), monitor best before dates and take action before product reaches expiry.

- Run markdowns or promos on short-dated stock (based on marketing input).

- Keep shrinkage and damages within company limits by implementing security measures and procedures that guard against stock loss, waste and damage, and by maintaining system integrity through POS checks.

- Track, report and reduce waste daily, and sign off damaged merchandise monthly.

- Manage over- and under-stocked lines with regard to sales opportunities, and make sure popular items are always in stock

Merchandising, Pricing & Promotions

- Ensure the store looks great at all times, with products neat, well presented and displayed in line with UCOOK's brand style.

- Implement Head Office merchandise guidelines immediately according to the store profile.

- Keep price tags, signage and barcode information accurate and up to date, including pricing instructions for promotions.

- Roll out in-store marketing campaigns, seasonal promotions and store activations, working with Head Office to meet promo timelines.

- Set up new products and promos neatly and on time, and push slow-moving or seasonal items using signage and deals (based on marketing input).

Cash, Administration & Reporting

- Manage day-to-day store administration to ensure smooth operations.

- Manage till operations, safe counts, cash-ups and banking accurately, and escalate or resolve any discrepancies.

- Train staff on opening and closing the till each day.

- File daily cash-ups and ensure the Finance team receives all slips.

- Manage the store card, keeping all petty cash slips and logging them onto the drive.

- Ensure daily store requirements are always available (stationery, till floats, change).

- Stay on top of daily and weekly sales, waste, markdowns and stock losses.

- Submit and report on store manager audits, sales figures, monthly staff schedules for approval, out-of-line expenses (over/under banks, data usage, maintenance), attendance registers, HR documentation and stock take discrepancies.

- Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures through regular walk-throughs, and facilitate audits.

People Management & Scheduling

- Plan and manage weekly staff schedules, including tea and lunch breaks and staff coverage.

- Track attendance (sick days, lateness and no-shows) and log hours worked and reasons for absence for payroll.

- Process payroll accurately and on time.

- Recruit and select staff, and provide induction, training (systems, customer service, hygiene, products) and development, including succession planning.

- Manage performance through regular check-ins, feedback and performance reviews.

- Handle team issues, including conflict resolution, disciplinary matters and absent staff, communicating and negotiating well in difficult situations.

- Delegate effectively, transfer skills across the team and motivate staff to buy into company objectives, building a culture of respect, responsibility and ownership.

- Lead by example, with a professional attitude and appearance at all times.

- Keep all employee files up to date.

Food Safety, Health & Safety and Store Upkeep

- Ensure Food Safety and Health & Safety compliance in the store, and that all regulations are communicated to the team.

- Make sure open and close checklists are completed properly every day, and keep cleaning and hygiene schedules (daily, weekly and monthly) on track, including products, shelving and freezers.

- Ensure procedures are followed for deep cleans, chemicals and colour coding, and manage pest control with the Hygiene Manager and pest control company.

- Run regular (weekly/monthly) safety checks on fire exits, extinguishers and first aid kits.

- Ensure all certificates are in order and accessible for inspectors, and that regular services are done.

- Keep staff training records up to date (food safety, hygiene, etc.).

- Log any incidents (injuries, hazards, safety concerns) in the Health & Safety file on site and report them via email to HR and the Operations Manager.

- Take care of store maintenance issues: fix what you can and escalate what you can't to the Operations Specialist.

Head Office Communication & Systems

- Act as the link between the store and Head Office teams (Marketing, Finance, HR, etc.), actioning tasks and requests from Head Office.

- Keep Head Office updated on delays, product issues and operational gaps, and share performance updates and feedback from the ground.

- Identify problems early and inform management when the solution is outside your area of responsibility, seeking expert advice where needed.

- Make sure POS, stock management and scheduling systems are used correctly, troubleshoot basic issues or escalate to IT, and train staff on store systems.

Requirements

- 2 to 5 years' retail experience, or experience in a similar environment, with prior management responsibilities.

- A tertiary qualification or certificate in Retail or Sales would be advantageous

- Ability to demonstrate leadership skills with minimal supervision.

- Dynamic team player with a can-do attitude.

- Good attention to detail.

- Strong arithmetic and numeracy skills.

- A proven aptitude for administration and the professional exercise of discretion at all times.

- A commitment to customer service excellence, coupled with superior visual presentation abilities.

- Passion for food. An understanding of food and allergens is advantageous.

- Skilled in maintaining product quality and excellent presentation.

- Knowledge of health and safety regulations, food safety standards and legal compliance.

- Ability to communicate with customers and store team members.

- Proven time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.

- Business ethics and integrity.

- Ability to work varied hours and days as required in a retail environment.

- Willingness to work across multiple store locations and to move between stores as and when the business requires.

- Reliable transport.