Your mission
We are looking for a dynamic and commercially driven Head of Retail to lead the growth of our retail stores channel in South Africa. The Head of Retail is responsible for overseeing all retail (bricks & mortar) operations, driving sales, ensuring customer satisfaction, and developing strategies for business growth. The Head of Retail would ultimately be accountable for sales performance, operational excellence, customer experience, people management, and profitability.
This role is based at our Head Office in Cape Town but requires frequent local travel to all PUMA retail stores nationally.
Key Responsibilities
1. Develop strategic plan to achieve sustainable long-term growth for the retail division.
2. Provides input into the strategic direction for the division in relation to turnover, profitability, budgets, and departmental structure.
3. Drive revenue growth and profitability across all stores. Set sales targets and monitor performance against budgets. Analyse sales trends and implement corrective actions where necessary. Identify opportunities to increase market share and customer spend.
4. Develop and manage retail budgets. Monitor store profitability and operating expenses. Ensure labour costs are effectively managed.
5. Assume accountability for the departments financial and strategic planning, including the P&L of Retail.
6. Deliver agreed sales and profit targets for the division.
7. Responsible for providing outstanding levels of customer service and customer satisfaction.
8. Manage each store in line with agreed target ratios on labour and stock shrinkage.
9. Manage all store lease negotiations on an ongoing basis including new options and renewals .
10. Manage third party service agreements
11.Work with the HR Department in the selection, training, development and succession planning of current and future staff in all states.
12. Sales \ Revenue growth (%) vs previous year
13. EBIT/EBITDA achievement
14. Evaluate new store opportunities and expansion strategies.
Your talent
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in Retail Management, Business, or a related field.
- Significant leadership and management experience, of at least eight years or more years in a similar role in the retail industry, is essential
- Strategic thinker, strong analytical skills, Strong commercial acumen and a hands-on, execution-focused approach.
- Ability to mentor, guide and inspire teams to develop a strong-productive team
- Advanced computer skills (Excel)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience opening new stores
- Willingness to travel nationally and spend time in stores coaching Area Managers
- A good understanding of retail buying, category management, merchandising.
- Previous involvement in managing category performance, supplier relationships, pricing strategies, and product ranges would be an added advantage.
- Experience leading teams and driving cross-functional collaboration within a retail environment.
- Success in this role will be measured through category sales growth, margin improvement, stock productivity, product innovation, supplier performance, and the delivery of a compelling customer proposition.
Our principles
PUMA provides equal opportunities for all job applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Equality for all is one of the core principles at PUMA and we do not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination.
At PUMA, every application is reviewed by real people who are committed to fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity - no matter your background, identity, or experience. To ensure our process stays true to these values, no automated systems or AI tools are used to make hiring decisions. Every decision is made by real people -with real judgment and accountability. We may use functions supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to carry out isolated organizational steps, such as scheduling interviews. These functions have no influence on decisions in the application process. We believe in creating spaces where everyone is welcome, celebrated, and empowered to contribute authentically. Because at PUMA, whoever wants to play, can play.
PUMA is a global sports brand creating footwear, apparel, and accessories that inspire athletes and everyday movers. The PUMA Group owns PUMA, Cobra Golf, and stichd, operates in 120+ countries, and has around 22,000 employees worldwide.
