Wholesale & Procurement Manager (Operations Manager)

Introduction

The Wholesale & Procurement Manager sources and secures retail products on behalf of the franchise network, acting as the intermediary between wholesale suppliers, logistics partners and franchisees. The role manages the supplier panel, negotiates group pricing and terms, and operates the wholesale platform including product uploads, pricing, images and descriptions so franchisees can order quality merchandise reliably and competitively.

The role also oversees integrated logistics partners to ensure product moves efficiently from supplier to store, making it the central link between the wholesale market, the delivery chain and the franchise network.

Duties & Responsibilities

Key Result Areas

• Act as a conduit between business and IT to build the IT System/ Webshop.

• Identify, evaluate and onboard wholesale suppliers, building a reliable, competitively priced supplier panel and negotiating group pricing, rebates and supply terms on behalf of the network.

• Manage and maintain the wholesale platform end-to-end working with suppliers to ensure product is uploaded correctly and on time, and that pricing, images and descriptions stay accurate, complete and up to date against agreed timeframes.

• Conduct regular platform audits to catch and correct pricing, imagery or description errors before they reach franchisees.

• Manage and oversee integrated logistics partners, ensuring delivery performance, cost and service levels meet agreed standards from supplier through to franchisee.

• Own the end-to-end order pipeline from franchisee demand aggregation through purchase order placement, delivery tracking and fulfilment coordinating between wholesalers and logistics partners.

• Monitor wholesaler and logistics partner performance against agreed KPIs (pricing, quality, lead times, delivery reliability) and hold them accountable to agreements.

• Act as first point of escalation for franchisees on product, pricing, delivery and quality issues, resolving disputes with wholesalers or logistics partners as needed.

• Maintain accurate records of supplier and logistics agreements, pricing schedules, rebate structures and compliance documentation.

• Track market trends and sourcing/logistics opportunities to keep the franchise product offering competitive, and align activity with new store openings, revamps and seasonal demand in collaboration with franchise development, operations and finance.

• Support franchisees with guidance on product selection and ordering and ensure all wholesale and logistics dealings comply with internal policy, franchise agreements and regulatory requirements.

• Evaluate the systems usage by franchisees with a focus on the wholesale funding component.

Key Relationships

• Internal: Franchise Development, Franchise Operations, Finance, Store Development/Fitout, Marketing, and IT/Digital or platform support teams.

• External: Wholesale suppliers, distributors and manufacturers, integrated logistics partners, and franchisees across the network.

Performance Measures

• Competitiveness of wholesale pricing secured, measured against market benchmarks.

• Franchisee uptake and satisfaction with the product offering and ordering process.

• Wholesaler and logistics partner on-time delivery, quality and service-level performance.

• Accuracy of live platform content and adherence to agreed upload/update timeframes.

• Speed and effectiveness of dispute and escalation resolution across wholesalers, logistics partners and franchisees.

• Wholesale funding usage by store.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Minimum Requirements

• Diploma or D egree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Retail Management, Business Administration or a related field.

• Minimum 3–5 years' experience in wholesale, retail buying or procurement, including direct supplier negotiation and, ideally, logistics or distribution coordination.

• Experience operating as an intermediary between commercial parties (e.g. supplier and franchisee, buyer and seller) is strongly preferred.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formula-driven costings and comparative pricing models.

• Experience managing an e-commerce, wholesale or B2B platform (product uploads, pricing, content) and working with logistics or fleet/delivery partners.

• Solid understanding of wholesale supply chains, purchase order systems and stock/order fulfilment and delivery processes.

• Experience within a multi-site or franchise retail environment is strongly advantageous.

• Valid driver's licence and own transport, given regular supplier, logistics and franchisee site visits.

Key Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skill across suppliers, logistics partners and franchisees .

• High attention to detail and accuracy in pricing, product content and documentation .

• Disciplined, deadline-driven approach to platform administration and logistics coordination .

• Strong organisational skills, able to manage multiple partner relationships concurrently

• Clear, confident communication and conflict resolution ability .

• Commercially minded problem-solver, comfortable working under pressure and to deadlines .

Package & Remuneration

Negotiable