Store Manager - Bloemfontein at adidas Group

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

• To drive brand and consumer experience by managing a high-volume, strategically positioned Brand Flagship store that represents the adidas brand and product in the most impactful way
• To work in close collaboration with both the Market and Global teams to shape the strategic direction of the Brand Flagship concept in the Market
• To lead the Store Management Team in providing an outstanding consumer experience while maintaining high operational and brand standards.
• To drive store profitability by meeting or exceeding store sales and profit targets
• To ensure compliance through proper execution of established policies, procedures, initiatives and directives

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver exceptional consumer experience tailored to the Brand Flagship through ensuring outstanding execution of global brand and retail operational standards
• Foster a positive culture in the store and enable the Store Management team to create an active, authentic and consumer-centric culture in the store
• Understand the concept and strategic importance of the Brand Flagship store and think broadly for the organization when setting the direction of the store and creating brand advocacy
• Develop and lead the execution of a visionary, well thought-out business plan for the Brand Flagship
• Provide input and feedback to different departments and global teams in order to achieve the Brand Flagship ambition
• Support and coach the leadership team and associates to drive sales and meet key performance indicators, while managing expenses to increase profitability and drive brand advocacy
• Partner with Store Management Teams to hire, develop and build a high performing team
• Hold P&L accountability for the Brand Flagship store
• Foster a collaborative working relationship with both the global and the Market organizations
• Collaborate with Line Manager to develop clear action plans for the Brand Flagship and thrive to achieve objectives, deliverables and timelines
• Communicate and provide visibility on product needs/other operational needs and opportunities to the Line Manager
• Ensure all established Visual Merchandising and In-Store Communication standards are consistently executed and maintained 
• Ensure consistent implementation of all global programs, initiatives and strategies within the Brand Flagship
• Leverage global and local tools to lead the performance management, succession, recruiting, hiring and development activities, resulting in high employee engagement
• Promote a high-performance culture in the Brand Flagship by setting clear expectations, holding employees accountable, creating an effective and efficient work environment, and setting goals that focus the team on key drivers that impact success
• Take clear accountability for training and execution in store in all areas, including business, operations, sales/customer service, and visual merchandising, while also coordinating with Sales Academy to ensure all employees are trained in Retail Standards
• Ensure all team members are trained on Foundational and Seasonal Brand and product knowledge in all stores 
• Ensure timely completion of all recordkeeping associated with applicants, new hires, payroll, performance appraisals, salary reviews, counselling, disciplinary actions and terminations
• Produce results under a variety of situations/market conditions and overcomes barriers to the company’s success in compliance with corporate guidelines
• Work with the Store Managers to identify and develop select strong performers with potential for growth along the Retail Field Career Ladder  

Key Relationships:

• Consumers, Peers, Key Retail Support Functions i.e Marketing Activations, VM, Operations, Vendors and Supports Functions,

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong ability to understand and use financial data to make decisions and influence outcomes
• Ability to use critical thinking and creative ways to solve problems
• Ability to make recommendations that effectively resolve problems by using judgment that is consistent with standards, practices, policies, and procedures
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong ability to collaborate and influence across different levels and departments
• Thrives under ambiguity; open to change and act as advocate for the ‘new’
• Open to feedback; able to keep composure in stressful situations
• Passion for adidas brand and for sport
• Proficient with MS applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and other computer software (Internet, POS Systems, etc)

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant market experience
• Leadership role in a branded organisation (creating a brand experience)
• Successful leadership of a team (50 people +)
• Geographical mobility
• Advanced numeracy, literacy and strong communication skills