Trainee Manager - Ficksburg (New Store)

Dis-Chem Pharmacies has an exciting opportunity available for a Trainee Manager at our Ficksburg, Free State Store.

The successful candidate will learn and develop their knowledge of overall store operations under the direction and supervision of the Store Manager. The role involves performing a wide range of retail operational duties while receiving guidance and support from experienced management.

Minimum Requirements

Essential:

• Grade 12 / Matric.
• Minimum of 1–2 years’ experience in retail store management disciplines, including but not limited to stock management, cash management, reporting, expense control and customer service.
• Computer literate – MS Office.
• Willing and able to work retail hours.
• Valid driver’s licence.
• Own reliable transport.

Advantageous:

• Diploma in Financial / Administration or a relevant 3-year Diploma.

Job Responsibilities

Inventory Management

• Ensure the processing of items, including but not limited to goods in transit, cycle counts, physical stock-to-system matching, stock takes, addressing shrinkage and maintaining overall stock levels.
• Ensure efficient stock flow to the sales floor.
• Participate in, assist with and support the management of shrinkage.
• Participate in, assist with and support the ordering of stock to maintain correct FMCG, Health and Beauty stock levels when required.

Sales Floor & Receiving

• Assist with the planning, implementation and maintenance of promotional stock displays across FMCG, Health and Beauty.
• Assist with the adherence to, implementation and maintenance of labelling, pricing and layout standards across FMCG, Health and Beauty.
• Assist with goods receiving duties in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• Participate in maintaining transaction integrity for incoming goods receipts and outgoing returns, guided by company internal control procedures.
• Assist with the reconciliation of daily ZMove Packs in accordance with Receiving policies and procedures.

Sales Targets

• Assist with achieving set store sales targets, including but not limited to FMCG, Health and Beauty.
• Partner with all Heads of Departments to ensure targets are achieved.
• Support management in ensuring promotions are effectively executed.
• Assist management in coordinating with other stores to share knowledge, plan promotional activities and achieve goals.
• Maintain awareness of market trends within the retail industry, understand forthcoming customer initiatives and monitor local competitor activity.
• Support management in determining profit and sales objectives and propose strategies to maintain inventory levels and manage work in accordance with store policies and procedures.
• Propose innovative ideas to senior management to increase market share.
• Assist in the development of regional retail strategies to increase the customer base, expand store traffic and optimise profitability across FMCG, Health and Beauty.

Point of Sale Operations & Finance

• Assist with daily cash-ups and review reconciliation packs and supporting documentation.
• Assist with the efficient scheduling of the point-of-sale area to maintain effective service standards.
• Assist with monitoring store expenses and ensuring stock adjustments are allocated to the correct GL accounts.
• Support the analysis and interpretation of Financial Income Statements.
• Assist in ensuring all expense-related items, including ordering and monitoring, are controlled and managed within budget.
• Support management in maintaining transaction integrity throughout the store, guided by company internal control procedures.
• Support the accuracy and completeness of branch transactions.
• Support management in improving cashier service levels and cashier productivity rates.
• Assist with controlling overtime and casual spend.
• Assist with the daily sign-off and investigation of run ends.
• Support management in disseminating, collating and reporting relevant information between store and department managers.
• Assist with any internal or external audits conducted in store.

Customer Service

• Assist with addressing customer complaints promptly and effectively, and regulate both complaints and compliments.
• Assist in ensuring the customer request system is operational and actioned daily.
• Encourage and continuously report on new loyalty sign-ups.
• Assist in ensuring the accurate manual processing of points to customer accounts.
• Assist with providing customers with feedback regarding queries and complaints.

HR Process Support

• Assist with people administration duties, including but not limited to leave management, scheduling and staff file management.
• Facilitate Human Resources processes, submissions and documentation for the store in compliance with standard operating procedures.
• Account for the execution of transactions on the workforce management system (KRONOS) within the store, including master data and transactional management.
• Assist the store with the delivery of HR policies and system implementations.
• Support management in ensuring employees receive training where necessary and collate employee feedback on training sessions attended.

Trainee Programme Adherence

• Participate and engage in meetings, workshops and other learning opportunities.
• Assist managers and complete assigned tasks for on-the-job learning purposes.
• Complete all required learning programmes and assessments to be deemed competent.
• Ensure the Portfolio of Evidence is filed and kept up to date, with the required sign-offs completed with the Regional Admin Manager.

Competencies

Essential:

• Sound knowledge and understanding of retail store management disciplines, with retail administration experience.
• Ability to analyse simple to semi-complex situations, evaluate multiple options and make informed decisions to achieve objectives.
• Ability to follow guidelines, regulations, principles and standards, with an understanding of business complexities.
• Effective communication skills with all types of people, including the ability to explain concepts to first-time users.
• Attentive and active listening skills.
• Ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others.
• Conflict management, counselling and networking skills.
• Strong emotional intelligence.
• Detail-oriented and organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Special Conditions of Employment

• Willing and able to work retail hours.
• Local travelling required – valid driver’s licence and own reliable transport.
• South African citizen.
• Clear credit and criminal records.

Remuneration & Benefits

• Market-related salary.
• Medical aid.
• Provident fund.
• Staff account.

Important Information

ONLY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION UNSUCCESSFUL.

Dis-Chem Pharmacies is an equal opportunity employer. Dis-Chem’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process, aligned to Dis-Chem’s Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. Dis-Chem actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities.