NATIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGER - ALDO

We are looking to recruit a National Operations Manager to oversee the ALDO store network across South Africa. The role is based at FrontierCo's Johannesburg head office and reports to the Head of Operations for Group, with a dotted line into Head of ALDO.

The Role

This role owns operational performance and execution across every ALDO store in South Africa. Area Managers report into this role, and Store Managers report into their respective Area Managers - you set the operational standard for the fleet, hold the regional structure accountable to it, and make sure it lands consistently from store to store, region to region.

This is a role for someone who can read the national numbers and still walk a shop floor and know exactly what's wrong. You translate brand, commercial, and campaign strategy into store-level execution, embed consistent standards across every door, and build a bench of Area Managers and Store Managers capable of running their businesses and stores without you in the room.

Job Description

• Own operational and financial performance across the national ALDO store fleet — sales, profitability, and productivity — holding Area Managers accountable to budget and course-correcting underperformance early
• Lead, coach, and develop the Area Manager team, who in turn manage and develop their Store Managers — building a strong leadership pipeline at every level of the store structure
• Drive and report on core retail KPIs across the network: conversion, IPT (items per transaction), AOV, handbag contribution, shoe care sales, in-store sign-ups, and Bank card transactions — with clear weekly and monthly reporting to the Head of ALDO
• Prepare and manage the store network's operating budgets and labour cost in partnership with Finance, and report against turnover and profitability targets
• Translate head office campaigns, launches, and brand initiatives into store-level execution plans, working closely with Marketing, VM, and Ops & VM support to ensure consistent, on-time rollout across all doors
• Own store scheduling, staffing levels, and resourcing decisions across the fleet in partnership with Area Managers
• Ensure operational compliance across the fleet — loss prevention, stock management, cash handling, payments, discounts, returns and exchanges, health and safety, and adherence to policy and procedure
• Set and maintain visual merchandising and store presentation standards in partnership with VM, ensuring brand consistency across all regions
• Manage new store openings, refits, downsizes, and closures operationally — coordinating shopfitting, stock flow, staffing, and launch readiness with landlords, Property, and internal stakeholders
• Support lease and landlord-facing operational matters in partnership with Property and Finance where store-level issues arise
• Drive quality assurance through regular store audits and standards control via the Area Manager team, and own the national store standards rating
• Identify and implement ongoing training and development for Area Managers and Store Managers across the network
• Act as the operational escalation point between the store network and head office — flagging risk, opportunity, and resourcing needs to the Head of ALDO
• Build a high-performance, values-led culture across the store network, with clear accountability and recognition built into how the team operates

Minimum Requirements

Job Knowledge

• Retail operations management
• Financial and budget management
• Change management
• Human resource management
• Relevant South African labour legislation
• Risk management and loss prevention
• Project management (store openings, refits, rollouts)

Job Related Skills

• Commercial and entrepreneurial awareness
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Interpersonal skills across a diverse, multi-region team
• Analytical skills — comfortable reading P&Ls, labour models, and stock and KPI reports, and turning numbers into action
• Ability to motivate and develop people at a distance across regions
• Decision-making under pressure

Experience and Education

• A suitable tertiary qualification, preferably a bachelor's degree
• Minimum 5-7 years' management experience, including direct leadership of a large, multi-site, multi-region retail team (managing Area/Regional Managers, not just store teams directly)
• Strong track record of delivering growth and profitability across a store network, not a single site
• Strong track record of building relationships and stakeholder engagement across departments (Marketing, Finance, Property, VM)
• Deep interest in fashion and understanding of what drives a premium retail experience
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel regularly across the national store network

Competencies

• Leading and supervising through layers
• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking
• Persuading and influencing
• Deciding and initiating action
• Presenting and communicating information to senior stakeholders
• Planning and organising
• Delivering results and meeting customer expectations
• Coping with pressure and setbacks

What's In It For You

• Generous employee discounts (your shoe game will thank you!)
• Benefits, perks, and performance-based bonus
• Exclusive head office exposure and cross-brand collaboration opportunities
• Recognition programs that celebrate your wins, big or small
• Real growth opportunities tailored to your strengths and interests

Building A Culture Of Belonging

We firmly believe that the diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and identities is a fundamental strength of the ALDO Group. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and equitable work environment where everyone can reach their full potential and find their fit.

Experience:

• Management: 5 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Drivers license (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (Required)

Work Location: In person