The Store Leader is accountable for the overall performance, presentation and people of a single Curve Gear store. The role exists to deliver the store's sales budget while protecting margin, controlling stock and cash, leading and developing the store team, and upholding the Curve Gear customer experience and brand standards every trading day.

As the most senior person in the store, the Store Leader translates company standards into daily execution — making sure the store opens on time, is correctly staffed and merchandised, and runs to the same standard as every other store in the group, whether or not management is present.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Financial Performance
• Achieve or exceed the store's monthly and annual sales budget.
• Monitor daily and hourly performance against target and take corrective action during trade.
• Drive conversion, average transaction value (ATV) and units per transaction (UPT) through service and add-on selling.
• Manage controllable costs, with particular focus on the wage-to-turnover ratio.
• Understand and contribute to the store's four-walls profitability.

Store Operations & Standards
• Ensure the store opens and closes on time and to standard, following company open/close and cash-up procedures.
• Maintain visual merchandising, housekeeping and product presentation to brand standards throughout the day.
• Ensure continuous replenishment so that core sizes on key lines remain available.
• Comply with all company policies, procedures and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

People & Team Leadership
• Recruit, induct, train and develop store staff to required competency levels.
• Plan and publish staff rosters aligned to trading patterns and labour budget.
• Conduct daily team briefings and ongoing on-the-floor coaching.
• Manage performance and conduct fairly and in line with company policy and SA labour law.
• Develop an Assistant Manager (2IC) capable of running the store in the Store Leader's absence.

Stock, Cash & Loss Prevention
• Ensure accurate receiving, stock counts and inventory records.
• Manage shrinkage through controls, awareness and adherence to procedure.
• Oversee cash handling, banking and daily cash-ups in line with company controls.
• Secure stock, cash and the premises at all times.

Customer Experience & Brand
• Deliver the Curve Gear service standard, including honest fit and product advice (notably on safety footwear, where correct fitment is a safety requirement).
• Administer the Hoodie-for-Life guarantee and product returns accurately and professionally.
• Process Kit Your Crew (B2B) in-store orders — capturing requirements, setting turnaround expectations and following through to fulfilment.
• Handle customer queries and complaints to resolution.

Key Performance Indicators
Performance in the role is measured against, but not limited to, the following:

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications & Experience
• Matric (Grade 12) or equivalent.
• 3+ years' retail experience, including at least 1–2 years in a store management or supervisory (2IC) role.
• Experience in apparel, footwear or workwear retail is an advantage.
• A relevant retail or business qualification is advantageous.

Knowledge & Skills
• Sound understanding of retail KPIs, rostering and basic store financials.
• Competent with point-of-sale (POS) systems, cash-ups and stock procedures.
• Strong people leadership, coaching and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of South African retail and labour compliance basics.
• Computer literate (POS, email, basic spreadsheets).

Competencies & Attributes
• Accountable — takes ownership of the store's results and standards.
• Hands-on and energetic — leads from the floor, not the office.
• Honest and reliable — trusted with cash, stock and people.
• Customer-focused — genuine respect for the working customer.
• Disciplined — follows process and holds the team to it.
• Calm under pressure — manages peak trade, queues and complaints.

Working Conditions
• Store-based, on the retail floor for the majority of the working day.
• Standing for extended periods; some lifting and moving of stock.
• Rostered shifts including weekends, month-ends, public holidays and peak trading periods.