Managing Director - Retail - LWMD

Duties & Responsibilities

Main job function

An opportunity for an experienced and hands-on retail management specialist to join a long established, South African business in a new role.

Key responsibilities

• Full P&L responsibility for revenue, gross margin and EBITDA across 11 branches

• Ensure rigorous cost-control – every expense measured on return on investment

• Focus on free cash flow: the job is judged on free cash generated, freeing up excess working capital, not just overall profitability

• Working capital:

• stock levels, ageing and slow-movers

• debtors book and credit control on trade accounts

• creditor and supplier terms

• Reporting:

• lift the pace and standard of monthly reporting with the existing FD team

• faster month-end close

• real rolling cash flow projections that are actively used to run the business, ensuring the procurers of stock are aligned with the sales - systems and forecasts in place that inform both buying and sales decisions

• Practical fixes over big projects:  improve what we have, while being cost-conscious;

• Operationally hands-on:  in the branches, warehouse and buying every week; close to stock, pricing, customers and staff

• Buying and supplier management : local manufacturers and import suppliers, range decisions, pricing and margin discipline

• Driving sales: trade/contractor accounts, developer projects and retail walk-in conversion

• Setting branch targets and holding managers to them: sales, margin, shrinkage, stock counts, staffing

• Monthly reporting to the Holdco CEO; weekly discussions with Holdco CFO.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Experience & Qualifications

• Experience within a retailer / distribution within the building or home improvements sector at MD, GM or 2iC level

• Experience of working within a multi-branch retail/trade business.

• Strong relationships and network in a relevant industry - suppliers, manufacturers, importers, contractors

• Proven track record of growing profit and cash, not just revenue

• Very strong on working capital: stock, debtors and creditors

• Track record of reducing costs and improving cash conversion

• CA(SA) or a finance background advantageous though not essential

Criteria

• Hands-on operator who knows the business from the shop floor up.

• Pragmatic and solutions-oriented: Fixes problems with what’s available rather than reaching for consultants or new systems.

• Holds branch managers, suppliers and customers to account

• Decisive, pragmatic, with high common sense.

Package & Remuneration

R2m - R2.5m p/a CTC

Interested?

A Consultant will be in touch if you are shortlisted for the position. Please consider your application unsuccessful should you not have been contacted within 2 weeks. We will keep your CV on our database and contact you should you match the criteria of any other vacancies.