Africa Operations Manager

**ROLE OVERVIEW**

The African Operations Manager - (New Markets) is responsible for leading Hungry Lion’s operational
expansion into new African territories. This role ensures each new market launches with strong
operational foundations, local capability, and brand-consistent execution from Day 1. The role bridges
expansion strategy, operations readiness, cross-functional coordination, and coaching of in-country
teams to ensure rapid, stable, and scalable growth. **_This role requires extensive travel across Africa._**

**KRAs**

**1. New Store Opening Readiness**

- During periods of rapid expansion and multi-market entry, the Operations Manager's role pivots heavily to ensure new locations are operational and ready for business:

- Manage the formal handover process from the project team to operations, conducting site inspections and compiling a comprehensive snag list of problem items for immediate rectification
- Oversee the rigorous testing of all kitchen and operational equipment, as well as IT hardware and software systems (e.g., Point of Sale, inventory management, network connectivity)
- Ensure all required opening stock is available and properly received via coordination with Procurement
- Conduct practical, hands-on training sessions alongside the Training department for new managers and staff, monitoring their progress closely during the pre-opening phase
- Co-ordinates new store opening team support

**2. Financial Performance**

- **Gross Profit (GP) Margin Oversight**: Drive and maintain target GP margins across all operational countries by monitoring sales and managing costs effectively
- **Stock Management**: Oversee inventory levels to optimise stock and minimise waste, ensuring effective supply chain logistics and communication with the Procurement team
- **Cost Control**: Identify and address areas of inefficiency, implementing company processes to reduce operational expenses and manage waste effectively, which directly contributes to higher profitability

**3. Operational and Brand Standards Excellence**

- **Brand Standards**: Ensure rigorous adherence to brand standards, focusing on consistency in product quality, speed of service, and overall customer experience
- **Customer Feedback**: Ensure that customer feedback received on all platforms is addressed timeously and efficiently
- **Compliance Audits**: Conducts regular compliance audits of each store

**4. Staffing and Talent Management**

- **Staffing**: Ensuring stores are optimally resourced. Liaise with HR regarding required staff numbers and collaborate with Training on effective program deployment

**5. Regulatory Governance**

- Ensure all markets operate within food safety regulations, and business compliance requirements
- Verify all required operational licences and permits are in place before trading commences
- Mitigate operational risks associated with local regulatory environments and health/safety standards

**REQUIREMENTS**

- 5+ years of International multi-unit food and beverage management with exposure to emerging markets
- Direct experience opening new stores and launching new markets
- Experience developing front-line leaders and running training/onboarding programmes
- Food and beverage or Hospitality certification or relevant in-house certification
- Executive Management Diploma is an advantage

**COMPETENCIES**

**Core Skills**:
1. Strong operational systems knowledge
2. Pragmatic Problem-Solving Skills: Must be able to see problems simply and find effective solutions.
3. Business Development Skills: Must be top-line driven, ability to grow business, particularly in turnover.
4. Industry and Local Knowledge: Must understand local network, who's who in the Retail industry,
relevant legislation and government contacts.
5. Interpersonal Skills: Must be a people person, good with people, firm and fair.
6. Technology Skills: Computer literate/management of various tech-enabled platforms
7. Coaching and Capability Building Skills: Ability to uplift new, inexperienced teams
8. Marketing and Selling Skills: Enforce and protect brand equity
9. Supply Chain Management: Rotation and management of stock levels/stock control
10. Data analytical skills

**Personal Attributes**:
1. Customer Centric Mindset: Ensures every element of operations enhances customer experience
2. Travel: Comfortable with extensive travel across Africa
3. Personal Ethics: Must be honest with themselves and everyone around them
4. Fair and Just: Must be fair as a person in all business dealings, and with all employees
5. Passionate about the Business: Must love/enjoy what they do
6. Drive: Must have a winning attitude/mentality
7. Results-Oriented: Enjoys being measured and being judged by financial and operational performance results
8. Proactive Initiator: Must be pro-active, a self-starter and can see and grasp opportunities
9. Goal Driven: Begin with the end in mind; must know what they want at the end, personally and for the business
10. Mul