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- Tasks: Support franchisees, improve standards, and manage relationships across multiple stores.
- Company: Join Southern Co-op, a member-owned organisation dedicated to serving local communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car, 34 days annual leave, and private medical insurance.
- Why this job: Be part of a family-oriented culture that values people and community impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail support, excellent communication skills, and a full UK driving licence required.
- Other info: Remote work and occasional overnight stays may be necessary; apply early due to high demand.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At Southern Co-op we offer a lot more than just a job. As we are completely owned by our 200,000+ members, we put people first. Become part of the family who are proud to serve local communities and put people first.
We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Franchise Operations Manager to support our franchisees in stores from Milton Keynes north to Nottingham, Yorkshire and Lancashire. The ideal candidate should live in a central location on the area to access all stores.
In this field-based role you will build and maintain relationships with new and existing franchisees to enable them to improve standards and hit business plan targets. You are required to hold a full UK driving licence and may also be required to work remotely and stay overnight on occasion. A company car is provided as part of this role!
What to expect:- Provide support and advice through regular store visits and agreement of actionable operational reviews.
- Disseminate internal communications, ensuring relevance and need, in a timely manner.
- Champion franchisee interests within Southern Co-op on all aspects of store operation and customer offer.
- Manage the day to day relationship with franchisees remembering that it is their business, but that our standards must also be maintained.
- Represent Southern Co-op in a positive manner and uphold our values and mission statement at all times.
- Ensure new franchisees are able to operate and understand all store systems.
- Ensure Franchise Operations Manual and VME Manuals remain current and relevant to the needs of the business.
- Maintain strong working relationships with all internal Southern Co-op teams.
- Support the Franchise Operations Manager and the wider team where required.
- Experience of providing support and developing relationships with business owners or retail leads, across a multisite area.
- Understanding of food retail businesses, ideally from the convenience sector.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills.
- Excellent commercial acumen with a sound understanding of cost control, financial planning and budget setting processes.
- A tenacious team player with the ability to lead and manage several projects simultaneously to successful conclusions and within time restraints.
- Strong IT skills and knowledge of MS Office products.
- £42,000 rising to £46,000.
- Company car.
- 34 days of annual leave (incl bank holidays) increasing to a maximum of 39 days after 5 years’ service.
- 20% discount in Southern Co-op stores.
- Private medical insurance.
- Critical illness insurance.
- Group life assurance.
- Share incentive plan.
- Opportunities to develop your skills through apprenticeships and our own in-house training & development programmes.
If we receive a high volume of relevant applications, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so please apply as soon as you can.
Franchise Operations Manager employer: DeFi Planet
Contact Detail:
DeFi Planet Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Franchise Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Southern Co-op's values and mission statement. Understanding what the company stands for will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions, showcasing that you're a good cultural fit.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Southern Co-op, especially those in franchise operations. They can provide valuable insights into the role and the company culture, which can help you tailor your conversations during the application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in building relationships with business owners or retail leads. Think of specific examples where you've successfully supported franchisees or similar stakeholders, as this will demonstrate your capability for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your knowledge of food retail businesses, particularly in the convenience sector. Being able to speak confidently about industry trends and challenges will show your expertise and commitment to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Franchise Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in franchise operations or retail management. Emphasise your ability to build relationships and support business owners, as these are key aspects of the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for supporting local communities and how your skills align with Southern Co-op's values. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed relationships in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your communication, influencing skills, and commercial acumen in your application. Provide examples of how you've used these skills to achieve results in past positions.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at DeFi Planet
✨Know the Company Values
Before your interview, take some time to understand Southern Co-op's values and mission statement. This will help you align your answers with what they stand for, showing that you're a good cultural fit.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Skills
As a Franchise Operations Manager, you'll need to build strong relationships with franchisees. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully developed and maintained professional relationships.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Be ready to discuss your understanding of cost control, financial planning, and budget setting. Bring specific examples of how you've managed these aspects in previous roles to demonstrate your expertise.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple projects. Think of scenarios where you've had to juggle various tasks and how you prioritised them to achieve successful outcomes.
