Supermarket Operations Manager

Lightread Consulting is a Lagos-based Human Resources and recruitment firm that provides workforce and personnel management solutions to businesses, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The company supports employers with recruitment, candidate screening, and other HR services designed to help businesses build dependable and productive teams.

Lightread Consulting is currently recruiting an experienced Supermarket Operations Manager to oversee the day-to-day management and overall performance of a supermarket operation in Maryland, Lagos.

Job Summary

The Supermarket Operations Manager will be responsible for ensuring the smooth, efficient, and profitable running of the supermarket.

The successful candidate will oversee employees, sales activities, inventory, suppliers, customer service, cost control, security, and general store operations.

This position requires an organized and commercially minded professional who understands retail operations and can use sales figures, inventory reports, customer feedback, and other operational data to improve performance.

The ideal candidate should possess strong leadership abilities, financial awareness, attention to detail, and the capacity to manage multiple operational priorities in a fast-paced retail environment.

Key Responsibilities

Store Operations

Oversee the supermarket’s daily activities and ensure the store opens and closes according to schedule. Maintain efficient operations across sales floors, checkout points, storage areas, shelves, and customer service areas.

Ensure established operating procedures are followed across all departments while maintaining high standards of cleanliness, organization, safety, and store presentation. Identify operational challenges and implement practical solutions where necessary.

Staff Management

Supervise employees across different supermarket departments and ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained. Prepare and monitor work schedules, shifts, attendance, punctuality, productivity, and employee conduct.

Set clear performance expectations, monitor agreed KPIs, provide coaching and on-the-job training, and address performance or disciplinary matters according to company procedures.

Promote a professional, productive, and customer-focused workplace.

Sales and Revenue Management

Monitor daily, weekly, and monthly sales results and analyze reports to identify sales trends, high-performing products, slow-moving stock, and potential revenue opportunities.

Develop and support initiatives aimed at increasing sales and average customer spending.

Monitor promotions, discounts, pricing, product displays, cashier activities, and checkout operations to reduce errors and revenue leakage.

Inventory and Stock Control

Oversee inventory activities and maintain accurate stock records. Monitor stock levels and ensure fast-moving products are replenished promptly.

Coordinate stock counts and inventory reconciliation while investigating discrepancies, damaged goods, expired products, and unexplained stock losses.

Ensure products are properly received, stored, rotated, handled, and displayed. Identify obsolete or slow-moving inventory and recommend appropriate actions.

Procurement and Supplier Management

Monitor supplier performance and ensure products are delivered on time and according to agreed requirements.

Verify deliveries against purchase orders and supporting documentation, maintain supplier transaction records, monitor outstanding orders, and escalate supplier-related issues when necessary.

Support supplier negotiations where required and work closely with procurement teams to maintain appropriate inventory levels.

Financial and Cost Control

Monitor operating expenses and ensure expenditure remains within approved budgets. Identify unnecessary costs and recommend practical cost-saving measures.

Oversee daily cash collections and reconciliation while working with the finance team to investigate discrepancies.

Implement measures to reduce waste, theft, shrinkage, stock losses, and other operational expenses while ensuring company resources are used responsibly.

Customer Service

Maintain excellent customer service standards throughout the supermarket. Ensure complaints are addressed professionally and promptly and identify recurring issues that may require operational improvements.

Monitor checkout queues and service efficiency while ensuring employees interact with customers in a professional and courteous manner.

Develop initiatives that can improve customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention.

Loss Prevention and Security

Implement procedures designed to reduce theft, fraud, wastage, and inventory losses.

Monitor unusual transactions, stock discrepancies, and suspicious activities while coordinating with security personnel to maintain a safe shopping environment.

Where applicable, ensure CCTV and other security systems remain functional and properly monitored.

Compliance and Safety

Ensure supermarket operations comply with applicable health, safety, food handling, and retail requirements.

Monitor the proper handling and storage of food and other sensitive products and conduct regular checks on store facilities, equipment, and infrastructure.

Ensure employees understand and comply with established health and safety procedures.

Reporting and Performance Management

Prepare regular operational reports and provide management with updates on supermarket performance.

Track KPIs covering sales, inventory, staffing, customer service, operational expenses, and departmental performance.

Analyse operational information and provide practical recommendations for improving efficiency and profitability.

Key Performance Indicators

Performance in this role will be evaluated using areas such as monthly sales targets, sales growth, average transaction value, promotional performance, inventory accuracy, stock turnover, product availability, stock discrepancies, waste reduction, operational expenses, employee productivity, attendance, customer satisfaction, complaint resolution, checkout efficiency, store presentation, and compliance with operating procedures.

Requirements

Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s Degree, HND, or equivalent qualification in Business Administration, Management, Accounting, Economics, Retail Management, or a related discipline.

Applicants should have 3–5 years of relevant professional experience in supermarket operations, retail, FMCG, hospitality, or a similar environment, with proven experience managing employees and daily business operations.

Candidates should also demonstrate:

• Strong knowledge of inventory and stock management.
• Good understanding of retail sales and customer service.
• Strong leadership and people-management abilities.
• Good numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and relevant business applications.
• Experience with POS and inventory management systems is an advantage.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• High standards of integrity, responsibility, and accountability.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including weekends and public holidays when required.

Ideal Candidate

The preferred candidate will be a hands-on retail professional who understands that effective supermarket management involves much more than supervising employees.

The individual should be comfortable managing sales figures, inventory reports, suppliers, employees, customers, costs, and everyday operational challenges.

They should be proactive, commercially aware, disciplined, analytical, and capable of taking responsibility for the supermarket’s overall performance.

Core Competencies

Key competencies required for the position include retail operations management, staff leadership, inventory management, sales management, customer service, cost control, loss prevention, supplier management, data analysis, financial awareness, performance management, problem-solving, communication, planning, organization, accountability, and integrity.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to the Email using “Supermarket Operations Manager” as the subject of the email.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.