Area Manager – Retail Operations

Key Responsibilities

• Visit all outlets regularly (supermarkets, butcher shops, kiosks, restaurants) with a clear visit schedule and checklist.

• Ensure implementation of SOPs for opening/closing, cash handling, hygiene, food safety, merchandising, stock management and customer service.

• Drive daily and weekly performance: monitor sales, margins, waste, stock availability, labour costs and take fast action on underperforming stores.

• Plan and execute in-store introduction of new products and categories: agree launch list and pricing, brief store teams, ensure correct merchandising and POS materials, monitor first weeks’ sales and customer feedback, and quickly adjust range, display or pricing where needed

• Lead new shop and kiosk openings: support recruitment, organize and deliver staff training, oversee store setup, implement opening checklists and stabilize performance in the first 4–8 weeks.

• Fix existing underperforming outlets by improving layouts, range, pricing, promotions, staff deployment and basic discipline.

• Support franchise outlets: train franchise teams, audit standards and execution, agree action plans and follow up closely with franchisees.

• Work closely with the production, logistics and finance teams to ensure product availability, correct costing and accurate stock and cash controls.

• Prepare simple weekly reports on each outlet (sales, key KPIs, issues, action points) and agree priorities directly with management.

• Develop and coach store managers and supervisors to build a strong, reliable retail operations team.

Candidate Profile

• 5–8 years' experience in supermarket / grocery / chain retail or QSR / food service chains.

• Minimum 2–3 years in a multi-unit role (Area Manager, Cluster Manager, Multi-Store Manager, or similar).

• Proven experience opening new outlets and improving underperforming stores, not just maintaining one strong store.

• Strong on execution: loves being on the shop floor, comfortable spending 70–80% of time in the field rather than in an office.

• Solid commercial understanding: daily sales, average basket, margin, shrink/waste, labour %, basic store P&L.

• Experience working with franchise stores or franchisees is a strong advantage.

• Comfortable working in fast-growing, entrepreneurial environments where not everything is yet fully structured.

• Strong leadership and people skills: can coach, correct and motivate store teams at all levels.

• Fluent in English; knowledge of East African markets is an advantage.

• Willing to be based in Kampala with regular travel within Uganda; candidates from Kenya or the UAE willing to relocate are encouraged to apply.

Location