General Manager

**Core Group - General Manager - Retail Concession**

Core Group, the leading distributor of world-renowned brands in Sub-Saharan Africa, is seeking a skilled and experienced General Manager to oversee our retail concession stores. Our company's mission is to empower individuals and organizations with the world's leading personal technology products and services. Since 1995, we have proudly represented Apple in South Africa and have established ourselves as a trusted distributor in the region. In addition to Apple, we are the distributors for other major brands such as Fitbit, DJI, and Nintendo.

**ABOUT THE ROLE-**

As the General Manager of Retail Concession at Core Group, you will be responsible for driving the success of our Retail concession stores in South Africa. Your primary focus will be on increasing sales, particularly for Apple products, by understanding sales targets, analysing market trends, and implementing strategies to maximize forward share. You will play a vital role in increasing volumes in stores by identifying fast-selling and slow-moving products and adjusting stock allocations accordingly. Additionally, you will be responsible for driving ad hoc promotions and deals, training store sales consultants, and ensuring their registration and proficiency on the Mobile Commerce System (MCS). Your expertise in effective people management, operational efficiency, and building strong relationships with customers, staff, and client management will be crucial for success in this role. You will also oversee the timely implementation of promotional activities. By executing innovative promotional campaigns, managing expenses and assets, and fostering effective teamwork, you will contribute to the overall growth and profitability of Core Group's retail concession business in South Africa.

**ABOUT YOU -**

**Qualifications**:
Relevant qualification in business, management, or a related field.
Strong commercial skills and business acumen.
4-7 years of management experience, preferably within the retail concession or distribution sector.
Experience within the retail sector, ideally with exposure to distribution operations
Proven track record of effectively managing teams within a sales and marketing-driven, customer service-focused environment (7 years of practical managerial experience).

**Key Responsibilities**:
Sales Target Achievement:
Effectively communicate and drive sales targets across retail concession stores.
Develop and implement strategies to achieve and exceed sales quotas monthly.
Monitor sales performance and take corrective actions as needed.
Collaborate with the marketing team to develop and execute sales promotions and initiatives.
Business Development, Customer Relationships, and Business Growth:
Provide input into budget formulation and manage performance in line with the budget.
Develop and agree upon a business plan for each store.
Identify and pursue business growth opportunities within the territory(Initially Western Cape and expanding Nationwide)
Build and maintain strong customer relationships to drive sales and customer satisfaction.
Collaborate closely with marketing teams to align strategies and ensure effective communication of brand messaging and promotions.
Stay updated with market trends and competitor activities to identify new opportunities.
Work closely with the marketing team to manage the brand development process to ensure the Apple ecosystem is communicated to the consumer, corporate customer and educational institutions
Manage & execute in store events

Leadership:
Build, organise, motivate, and lead a dynamic, high-performance team across multiple retail concession stores.
Inspire, motivate, and support store teams to maximise sales and deliver exceptional customer service.
Develop and mentor managers to enhance their skills and leadership capabilities.
Implement effective recruitment & retention strategies to attract and retain top talent.
Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide coaching and feedback to drive individual and team performance.
Customer Experience & Interaction:
Set, measure, and maintain the highest standards of customer engagement and service.
Handle customer inquiries, feedback, and conflicts effectively.
Foster a customer-centric culture across retail concession stores.
Ensure consistent implementation of brand guidelines and standards to create an exceptional customer experience.
Process & Procedures:
Monitor adherence to company policies, procedures, and brand guidelines.
Identify areas for improvement in operational efficiency and implement necessary processes.
Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and laws in South Africa.
Oversee stock management, including optimising stock levels and merchandising displays.
Safeguard company assets and minimise shrinkage.
Training and Development:
Provide daily coaching and training to sales staff to improve sales conversion rates and product knowledge.
Ensure all team members rec