General Manager – Retail Sector at Smart Partners

Smart Partners was founded by Tijani Iyemifokhae , a graduate of Industrial Chemistry, University of Benin with MBA (Human Resources) Lagos State University Ojo. He has more than a decade work experiences that span across some leading law firms as Practice Development Manager.
At Fine and Country International (West Africa) he was the Head of Operations and Strategy. For the years spent at Fine and Country, he developed; Sales, Marketing, HR Structures and Policies, Business model and Operational Processes. Mr. Iyemifokhae has attended series of local (Lagos Business School) and International trainings. He is a talented Strategist with multitasking abilities.Job Summary

The General Manager (Retail) is responsible for driving the overall performance, profitability, growth, and operational excellence of the retail business. The role oversees sales, operations, customer experience, inventory management, people management, and strategic execution across all retail outlets to ensure sustainable business growth and market competitiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Develop and implement retail business strategies aligned with organizational objectives. 
Drive revenue growth, market expansion, and profitability initiatives. 
Monitor industry trends, competitor activities, and customer preferences to identify business opportunities. 
Lead business planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes. 

Retail Operations Management

Oversee day-to-day operations of all retail stores and branches. 
Ensure compliance with company policies, operational standards, and regulatory requirements. 
Optimize branch performance, productivity, and operational efficiency. 
Implement best practices to improve service delivery and customer satisfaction. 

Sales & Revenue Growth

Drive achievement of sales targets and business KPIs. 
Develop promotional campaigns and sales initiatives to increase customer acquisition and retention. 
Analyze sales performance and implement corrective actions where necessary. 
Identify new revenue streams and business development opportunities. 

Inventory & Supply Chain Management

Ensure effective stock planning, replenishment, and inventory control. 
Minimize stock losses, shrinkage, and obsolete inventory. 
Collaborate with procurement and logistics teams to maintain product availability. 
Monitor stock turnover and optimize inventory levels. 

Financial Management

Manage operational budgets and cost control measures. 
Review financial reports and profitability metrics. 
Drive initiatives to improve margins and reduce operational costs. 
Ensure accountability for financial performance across retail locations. 

Customer Experience Management

Champion a customer-centric culture across all retail outlets. 
Monitor customer feedback and implement service improvement initiatives. 
Ensure consistent delivery of exceptional customer experiences. 
Resolve escalated customer complaints and service issues. 

People Leadership

Lead, coach, and develop retail management teams. 
Drive performance management and employee engagement initiatives. 
Identify talent gaps and implement succession planning strategies. 
Foster a high-performance and results-oriented culture. 

Risk, Compliance & Governance

Ensure compliance with retail regulations, health and safety requirements, and company policies. 
Manage operational risks and implement appropriate controls. 
Safeguard company assets and maintain high ethical standards. 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Revenue and profit growth 
Sales target achievement 
Branch productivity and operational efficiency 
Customer satisfaction scores 
Inventory turnover and shrinkage rates 
Employee engagement and retention 
Compliance and audit performance 

Qualifications & Experience

Master\'s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Retail Management, or related field. 
Minimum of 10–15 years\' experience in retail operations, with at least 5 years in a senior management role. 
Strong understanding of retail business management, sales, merchandising, and customer service. 
Proven track record of leading multi-location retail operations. 

Competencies

Strategic Thinking 
Commercial Acumen 
Financial Management 
Leadership & Team Development 
Customer Focus 
Negotiation & Stakeholder Management 
Problem Solving & Decision Making 
Change Management 
Data Analysis & Performance Management