General Manager

Job title: General Manager

Company: CareerBuddy

Job description: Job Description:Scaling a fast-growing beauty brand requires a leader who thrives in strategy, execution, and innovation. As General Manager, you will be at the helm of our client’s operational expansion, ensuring the company scales efficiently, profitably, and sustainably while delivering an exceptional customer experience. This is your opportunity to shape the future of African beauty retail across B2B, B2C, digital, and physical channels.Who are we searching for?

• You’re a visionary leader with a bias for execution, capable of turning strategic goals into scalable operational processes.
• You have a track record of scaling high-growth B2B and B2C businesses, optimizing supply chains, and driving market expansion.
• You bring financial acumen, understanding cost management, profit margins, and financial sustainability at scale.
• You’re a product and customer-driven operator, ensuring seamless experiences across e-commerce, retail stores, and digital platforms.
• You’re a people-first leader, building and mentoring high-performance teams while fostering a culture of innovation and accountability.
• You have a deep understanding of African retail and e-commerce, with a network that supports strategic partnerships and market penetration.

Your responsibilities…Strategic leadership & growth execution

• You will collaborate with the CEO to develop and implement strategic plans to achieve business objectives, profitability, and growth targets.
• You will translate high-level strategic goals into operational initiatives, ensuring cross-functional alignment and execution excellence.
• You will drive market expansion, with an immediate focus on launching and scaling operations in Kenya, followed by other strategic African markets.
• You will lead strategic initiatives for tech and operational enhancements, including the migration to Shopify and backend integrations to improve scalability.
• You will identify and pursue strategic partnerships and alliances to enhance growth, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage.

B2C expansion & omni-channel growth

• You will develop and execute B2C growth strategies, expanding our client’s customer base across digital and physical retail channels.
• You will drive omni-channel integration, ensuring seamless customer experiences across mobile apps, e-commerce, and physical store touchpoints.
• You will lead customer acquisition and retention strategies, leveraging data analytics, personalized marketing, and loyalty programs.
• You will oversee digital transformation initiatives, enhancing user experience, engagement, and conversion rates.
• You will scale fulfilment and last-mile delivery operations, ensuring rapid B2C growth and improved customer satisfaction.

B2B expansion & strategic partnerships

• You will drive B2B expansion initiatives, building strategic relationships with retailers, wholesalers, and distribution partners.
• You will develop and lead a comprehensive B2B sales strategy, including pricing, merchandising, and promotional planning.
• You will oversee key account management and strategic partnerships, ensuring high customer satisfaction and retention.
• You will expand product distribution channels by partnering with beauty salons, spas, and other relevant B2B customers.
• You will foster strong partnerships with both local and international brands, driving exclusive product offerings and strategic collaborations.
• You will identify and pursue new revenue streams, including private label development and exclusive product distribution agreements.

Operational excellence & scaling operations

• You will design and implement scalable end-to-end operational processes, optimizing for efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and agility.
• You will lead the development and execution of supply chain strategies, including demand forecasting, procurement, inventory management, and logistics.
• You will oversee fulfilment and distribution operations, ensuring fast, reliable, and cost-effective delivery to customers.
• You will implement advanced inventory management techniques to optimize stock levels, reduce carrying costs, and improve cash flow.
• You will drive continuous improvement of operational workflows, leveraging automation and data analytics for decision-making and efficiency.
• You will establish performance metrics and KPIs for all operational functions, monitoring and driving operational excellence and accountability

Financial leadership & profitability

• You will oversee financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis, ensuring financial sustainability and growth.
• You will lead cost management initiatives, optimizing operating expenses, improving gross margins, and enhancing profitability.
• You will manage cash flow, working capital, and liquidity, ensuring financial health and stability.
• You will collaborate with the Finance Lead to develop and maintain financial controls, compliance, and reporting frameworks, ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• You will provide strategic financial insights and recommendations to the CEO and Board of Directors for informed decision-making.

Product strategy leadership

• You will develop and implement product strategies, aligned with market trends, customer needs, and business objectives.
• You will oversee category management and product development, optimizing the product portfolio to maximize profitability.
• You will drive strategic pricing and promotional strategies, enhancing competitiveness, sales growth, and brand positioning.
• You will lead the introduction of new product lines, exclusive brand partnerships, and innovative product offerings to enhance customer value.
• You will collaborate with marketing and sales teams, ensuring effective go-to-market strategies and product launches.
• You will utilize customer insights, competitive analysis, and sales data, continuously optimizing the product mix and merchandising strategy.

People & culture leadership

• You will build and lead high-performing teams across all operational functions, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and accountability.
• You will drive talent acquisition, development, and retention strategies, ensuring the organization has the right talent for rapid scaling and growth.
• You will implement performance management systems, maximizing team productivity, engagement, and development.
• You will champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, creating a positive and dynamic workplace culture.
• You will foster leadership development and succession planning, ensuring a robust talent pipeline for long-term organizational success.

To be considered, you should have…

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in operations, supply chain, product management, or general management within retail, beauty, or e-commerce.
• A proven track record of scaling B2B and B2C businesses, optimizing logistics, and driving strategic market expansion.
• Strong financial expertise, including budgeting, cost management, and financial planning.
• Experience in product strategy, category management, and pricing strategies in a consumer-driven market.
• Knowledge of African retail, e-commerce trends, and consumer behavior, with a strong industry network.
• A data-driven approach to decision-making, using advanced analytics to optimize operations.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with experience leading cross-functional teams and external partnerships.

Why this role matters…Our client is on a mission to redefine beauty retail in Africa, and scaling its operations efficiently is key to achieving this vision. Your leadership will ensure market expansion, financial sustainability, and exceptional customer experiences, shaping the future of the brand.Challenges you may face in this role…

• Balancing rapid expansion with operational efficiency and profitability.
• Navigating supply chain complexities in multiple African markets.
• Driving customer engagement and retention in an evolving digital-first beauty landscape.

The goodies…

• High-impact leadership role where you will shape the future of a beauty brand redefining African retail.
• Market expansion opportunities
• Fast-paced, entrepreneurial culture
• This is an opportunity to drive product strategy, financial growth, and customer experience at scale.

Expected salary:

Location: Lagos, Lagos State

Job date: Wed, 19 Mar 2025 03:20:35 GMT