Head of Retail Business - Food Chain

Location: Middle East

We're looking for a highly strategic and experienced Head of Retail Business to lead and optimize the expanding food/bakery retail network across a Middle Eastern Country. This pivotal role will be responsible for the end-to-end performance of the retail outlets, driving sales, ensuring operational excellence, and maintaining the brand's high standards.

If you're a dynamic leader with a proven track record in multi-location retail operations within the food, bakery, or FMCG sectors, we encourage you to apply.

Key Responsibilities:

- Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute comprehensive retail operation strategies aligned with the company's overall business objectives, focusing on growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

- Operational Excellence: Oversee all aspects of retail operations, including store performance, inventory management, supply chain coordination, visual merchandising, and customer service standards. Implement best practices to ensure efficiency and consistency across all locations.

- Sales Performance & Growth: Drive ambitious sales targets by analyzing market trends, identifying growth opportunities, and implementing effective sales strategies. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and take corrective actions as needed.

- Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Sales Managers, fostering a high-performance culture focused on achieving sales goals and operational excellence. Provide guidance, training, and support to enhance their capabilities.

- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the Marketing team to develop and implement promotional campaigns, new product launches, and brand initiatives that drive footfall and sales. Collaborate with other departments, including Production, HR, and Finance, to ensure seamless operations.

- Brand Consistency: Ensure all retail outlets consistently uphold the chain's brand image, quality standards, and customer experience guidelines.

- Budget Management: Develop and manage the retail operations budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and optimal resource allocation.

- Market Analysis & Expansion: Stay abreast of industry trends, competitor activities, and consumer preferences in the relevant markets. Contribute to strategic planning for new store openings and market expansion initiatives.

Qualifications:

- Post-MBA with 10-15 years of progressive experience in multi-location retail operations.

- Demonstrated experience within the Food, Bakery, or FMCG sectors is essential.

- Proven ability to lead and motivate large teams, particularly Sales Managers, to achieve ambitious targets.

- Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.

- In-depth understanding of retail dynamics, consumer behavior, and market trends in the relevant markets.

- Proficiency in retail management software and CRM systems.

- Ability to travel frequently across retail locations within the country.

This job description is intended as a representation of the primary responsibilities of and qualifications for this position. The job description is not intended as inclusive of all duties an individual in this position might be asked to perform or of all qualifications that may be required either now or in the future.