OPERATIONS MANAGER, RETAIL (CONFECTIONERY / BAKERY)

Location: Various locations across Zimbabwe

Company Overview

Our client is a leading confectionery and bakery retail operation with an established network of stores across Zimbabwe. The business operates in the quick service and retail food space, supplying fresh baked goods, pies and confectionery to customers nationwide.

Role Overview

The Operations Manager will be responsible for the day to day running of a cluster of six retail stores within an assigned region. This is a hands on operational role covering staff management, stock and cost control, sales performance and adherence to quality and hygiene standards across all sites. The successful candidate will be based within their region and will travel regularly between stores.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of six retail stores, ensuring consistency in product quality, service standards and store presentation.
• Manage and support store managers and teams, including recruitment, training, performance management and staff scheduling.
• Monitor sales performance against targets and implement corrective action where required.
• Control stock levels, wastage and shrinkage across all stores in the cluster.
• Manage store level costs and contribute to regional budgeting and cost control.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene and health and safety standards across all sites.
• Conduct regular store visits and audits, reporting on operational performance and areas for improvement.
• Build strong working relationships with store teams, suppliers and regional management.
• Drive customer service standards and address customer complaints or operational issues promptly.
• Report on regional performance to senior management on a regular basis.

Requirements

• A relevant tertiary qualification in business, retail management, hospitality or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in an operations or multi site management role, ideally within QSR, fast food or retail.
• Proven experience managing multiple sites or stores simultaneously.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to read and act on sales, cost and stock data.
• Solid people management skills, including staff development and performance management.
• A valid driver's licence and willingness to travel regularly between stores.
• Sound understanding of food safety and hygiene standards.

Preferred Experience

• Prior exposure to the bakery, confectionery or pie manufacturing and retail environment.
• Experience within a branded QSR or fast food retail chain.
• Experience managing operations across a regional or provincial footprint.

Application Details

Interested and qualified candidates should send CVs to [email protected] Regrettably, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.