Manager Liquor Store

Qualifications

• Grade 12 / Matric – non-negotiable
• Relevant retail, liquor or business qualification will be advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years' retail experience, preferably within a liquor or FMCG environment.
• Minimum 2 years' management/supervisory experience.
• Experience managing sales, stock, margins and operational KPIs.
• Experience in a high-volume retail environment will be advantageous.
• Experience in liquor retail and knowledge of liquor legislation will be highly advantageous.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Strong stock and inventory management skills.
• Knowledge of liquor products and categories.
• Understanding of liquor legislation and responsible alcohol sales.
• Customer service orientation.
• People management and leadership capability.
• Planning and organisational skills.
• Problem-solving and decision-making ability.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to analyse sales and operational information.
• Computer literacy, including MS Excel.
• Knowledge of SAP or relevant retail systems will be advantageous.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial & Financial Management

• Drive the achievement of departmental sales, gross profit and budget targets.
• Monitor daily, weekly and monthly sales performance and take corrective action where required.
• Analyse sales, margin, waste, stock loss and other relevant performance indicators.
• Identify opportunities to grow sales and improve departmental profitability.
• Implement promotional activities and ensure effective execution of liquor campaigns and deals.
• Manage departmental expenses in line with budget and company guidelines.
• Drive productivity and efficient utilisation of departmental resources.

Liquor Department Operations

• Manage the daily operation of the Liquor Department to ensure smooth and efficient execution.
• Ensure adequate stock availability across key liquor categories.
• Maintain high standards of merchandising, product presentation, pricing and promotional execution.
• Ensure shelves, displays and promotional areas are correctly maintained.
• Ensure correct receiving, storage, replenishment and rotation of liquor products.
• Monitor stock movement and identify slow-moving, excess and fast-moving products.
• Ensure effective management of stock counts and investigate variances.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, housekeeping and overall department presentation.

Stock & Inventory Management

• Maintain effective stock control processes to minimise stock losses and improve availability.
• Monitor stock levels and ensure timely replenishment.
• Investigate stock discrepancies, shrinkage and potential losses.
• Ensure correct receiving and verification of liquor deliveries.
• Conduct and oversee regular stock counts.
• Implement appropriate measures to minimise theft, damages and stock losses.
• Work closely with the Inventory and Store Management teams to resolve stock-related issues.

Liquor Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure full compliance with applicable liquor legislation and licensing requirements.
• Ensure the store operates within the conditions of its liquor licence.
• Ensure responsible sale of liquor and compliance with age-verification requirements.
• Ensure employees understand and adhere to legal requirements relating to the sale of liquor.
• Maintain required liquor documentation and records.
• Ensure compliance with Pick n Pay policies, procedures, health and safety requirements and operational standards.
• Identify and mitigate operational, legal, security and reputational risks within the department.

Customer Service

• Deliver a consistently high standard of customer service.
• Ensure customers receive knowledgeable and professional assistance with liquor products.
• Resolve customer complaints and queries effectively and promptly.
• Monitor customer feedback and identify opportunities to improve the shopping experience.
• Ensure the department is well presented, accessible and easy to shop.

People Management

• Lead, coach and develop the Liquor Department team.
• Ensure employees understand their roles, responsibilities, KPIs and performance expectations.
• Allocate duties and manage staffing according to operational requirements.
• Conduct regular performance discussions and provide constructive feedback.
• Identify training and development needs within the team.
• Manage attendance, timekeeping, discipline and employee relations in accordance with company policies.
• Build a high-performing, customer-focused team culture.
• Identify and develop talent for succession and future leadership opportunities.

Merchandising & Category Execution

• Ensure liquor ranges are merchandised according to company standards and category principles.
• Maintain accurate pricing, ticketing and promotional communication.
• Ensure promotional displays are implemented on time and maintained throughout the promotion.
• Monitor competitor activity and identify opportunities to improve the department's competitiveness.
• Ensure premium, high-volume and strategic product categories receive appropriate focus.

Security & Loss Prevention

• Work closely with Store Management and Security to minimise liquor-related stock losses.
• Identify risks associated with high-value and high-risk liquor products.
• Ensure appropriate controls are followed when receiving, storing and selling liquor.
• Investigate unusual stock movements and report suspected theft or fraudulent activity.
• Ensure employees comply with security and loss-prevention procedures.

Reporting & Administration

• Monitor and report on departmental performance.
• Maintain accurate operational and stock-related records.
• Prepare relevant reports and provide feedback to Store Management.
• Use available business intelligence and reporting tools to identify trends and performance gaps.
• Ensure all required administrative processes are completed accurately and on time.