Riccardo Franco
Divisional Manager
Durban
Summary
Talented Manager with expert team leadership, planning, and organizational skills built during successful career. Smoothly equip employees to independently handle daily functions and meet customer needs. Diligent trainer and mentor with exceptional management abilities and results-driven approach. Collaborative leader partners with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings. Insightful Manager with experience directing and improving operations through effective employee motivational strategies and strong policy enforcement. Proficient in best practices, market trends and regulatory requirements of industry operations. Talented leader with analytical approach to business planning and day-to-day problem-solving. Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated Retail professional with a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand. Resourceful Manager offering history of success coordinating and monitoring operations across various departments. Effective leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Highly committed with hardworking mentality to maintain quality of services and products.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Divisional Manager
Shoprite Checkers
04.2024 - Current
- Fostered strong client relationships to ensure customer satisfaction and repeat business opportunities.
- Expanded market share with competitive analysis, identifying new business opportunities and potential clients.
- Ensured compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and legal requirements throughout all divisional activities.
- Streamlined divisional operations for increased efficiency through process improvement initiatives.
- Developed high-performing teams through effective recruitment, training, and mentoring programs.
- Achieved financial targets through diligent budgeting, forecasting, and expense control measures.
- Reduced operational costs, identifying areas of inefficiency and implementing cost-saving measures.
- Enhanced team performance by implementing strategic management plans and setting clear objectives.
- Managed risk effectively by conducting thorough assessments and implementing mitigation strategies as necessary.
- Championed organizational change initiatives for smoother transitions during periods of growth or restructuring.
- Maximized resource utilization to optimize productivity by reallocating resources as needed.
- Delivered exceptional results despite challenging market conditions by staying agile and adapting strategies accordingly.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Fostered strong client relationships to ensure customer satisfaction and repeat business opportunities
- Expanded market share with competitive analysis, identifying new business opportunities and potential clients
- Ensured compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and legal requirements throughout all divisional activities
- Identified and communicated customer needs to supply chain capacity and quality teams
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members
- Improved staffing during busy periods by creating employee schedules and monitoring call-outs
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones
- Set aggressive targets for employees to drive company success and strengthen motivation
- Launched quality assurance practices for each phase of development
- Opened and closed location and monitored shift changes to uphold successful operations strategies and maximize business success
- Reduced waste and pursued revenue development strategies to keep department aligned with sales and profit targets
- Planned, created, tested and deployed system life cycle methodology to produce high quality systems to meet and exceed customer expectations
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention
- Trained personnel in equipment maintenance and enforced participation in exercises focused on developing key skills
Head of Operations
Pick 'n Pay
8 2021 - 03.2024
- Manage and control all aspects of Stores operations to enable the achievement of sales, profit, and expense budgets.
- Collaborated with executive leadership on strategic planning initiatives to drive business growth.
- Increased customer satisfaction by actively addressing concerns and ensuring timely resolutions.
- Improved overall productivity with the introduction of innovative process improvement initiatives.
- Implemented risk assessment procedures to minimize potential disruptions across all areas of operation.
- Developed comprehensive training programs for staff, enhancing team performance and skill sets.
- Led cross-functional teams to achieve company goals, fostering collaboration and communication.
- Streamlined operational processes by identifying inefficiencies and implementing best practices.
- Oversaw supply chain management, ensuring timely delivery of products and services to customers.
- Managed crisis situations effectively by developing response plans in advance.
- Managed vendor relationships, negotiating contracts for maximum value and efficiency.
- Built a high-performance culture by recruiting top talent and promoting professional development opportunities for staff members.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations and company policies, mitigating potential risks.
- Facilitated change management efforts, guiding teams through periods of transition and growth.
- Optimized inventory levels by implementing demand forecasting tools and techniques.
- Spearheaded continuous improvement projects, resulting in enhanced business performance.
- Evaluated emerging market trends to inform strategic decisions affecting the organization''s future direction.
- Developed comprehensive training programs for staff, enhancing team performance and skill sets
- Collaborated with executive leadership on strategic planning initiatives to drive business growth
- Increased customer satisfaction by actively addressing concerns and ensuring timely resolutions
- Improved overall productivity with the introduction of innovative process improvement initiatives
- Implemented risk assessment procedures to minimize potential disruptions across all areas of operation
- Led cross-functional teams to achieve company goals, fostering collaboration and communication
- Streamlined operational processes by identifying inefficiencies and implementing best practices
Head of Store Operations
Shoprite Checkers - Trading as OK Franchise Division
06.2020 - 07.2021
- Directed and oversaw retail operations, managed multiple stores, and achieved bottom-line results.
Head of Retail Operations
Yalelo
07.2019 - 06.2020
- Directed and oversaw retail operations, developed strategies, and achieved financial targets.
Store Manager / Safe Hands Area Manager
Tesco
02.2018 - 06.2019
- Responsible for overall store management, implementing strategies, and ensuring compliance.
Store Manager
Supatrade Spar
03.2017 - 12.2017
- Oversaw daily operations, motivated sales teams, and achieved sales and cost reduction targets.
Head of Store Operations
Pick 'n Pay
02.2010 - 02.2017
- Led organisational operations, managed store managers and employees, and achieved bottom-line results.
Store Manager
Pick 'n Pay Western Cape
10.2008 - 02.2010
- Led day-to-day operations, assessed financial performance, and achieved budget targets.
Various Management & Trainee Roles
Pick 'n Pay
05.1999 - 10.2008
- Progressed through various positions, developed strategies, and achieved KPIs and profit targets.
Education
Diploma in Logistics Management - Logistics Management
Oxford Business School
Online 08.2017 - 12.2017
Diploma in Operational Management - Operations Management
Oxford Business School
Online 08.2017 - 12.2017
Retail Diploma - Retail Management
UNISA
Durban, South Africa 01.2001 - 01.2003
Supply Chain Certificate - Supply Chain
University of Cape Town
UCT 01.2015 - 12.2015
Project Management, Foundations - Project Management
University of Cape Town
UCT 01.2021 - 11.2021
Project Management, Advanced - Project Management
University of Cape Town
UCT 02.2022 - 11.2022
Skills
Operations Management
Computerliteracy
- Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- SAP
Personal Information
Driving License: Full clean code 08 driver's license
Languages
English
Advanced (C1)
Zulu
Intermediate (B1)
Italian
Intermediate (B1)
Affiliations
- Project Management Institute
Software
MS Office, SAP, Arch
Timeline
Divisional Manager
Shoprite Checkers
04.2024 - Current
Project Management, Advanced - Project Management
University of Cape Town
02.2022 - 11.2022
Project Management, Foundations - Project Management
University of Cape Town
01.2021 - 11.2021
Head of Store Operations
Shoprite Checkers - Trading as OK Franchise Division
06.2020 - 07.2021
Head of Retail Operations
Yalelo
07.2019 - 06.2020
Store Manager / Safe Hands Area Manager
Tesco
02.2018 - 06.2019
Diploma in Logistics Management - Logistics Management
Oxford Business School
08.2017 - 12.2017
Diploma in Operational Management - Operations Management
Oxford Business School
08.2017 - 12.2017
Store Manager
Supatrade Spar
03.2017 - 12.2017
Supply Chain Certificate - Supply Chain
University of Cape Town
01.2015 - 12.2015
Head of Store Operations
Pick 'n Pay
02.2010 - 02.2017
Store Manager
Pick 'n Pay Western Cape
10.2008 - 02.2010
Retail Diploma - Retail Management
UNISA
01.2001 - 01.2003
Various Management & Trainee Roles
Pick 'n Pay
05.1999 - 10.2008
Head of Operations
Pick 'n Pay
8 2021 - 03.2024
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