Franchise Business Consultant

Job Description:

What is the role?

Reporting to the Regional Sales Manager, the Franchise Business Consultant is responsible for all activities and sales results in the district. Assigned stores may include a combination of corporate and franchised stores. Key areas of focus will be successful team growth while meeting financial and operational objectives.

What will you do?

Best Practices Consulting:

• Works with Franchisees to develop and implement individual business strategies for all stores in their area; Transfers “best practices” from one franchisee to another within their region
• Follows up regularly to monitor performance, suggest improvements, and remove obstacles where possible
• Communicates and promotes new product launches/new vendor promotions/new marketing initiatives.
• Trains/assists in the merchandising of store stock
• Identifies and documents “best practices” for general distribution and communication within the chain

Corporate Liaison:

• Acts as principle contact between the franchisee and various Head Office departments to communicate changes, resolve difficulties, gather information, lobby on behalf of franchisees.
• Monitors local competition and reports to the Real Estate department on relevant market activity, i.e., construction, anchor tenant changes, mall renovations, new home development  
• Assists in the opening/closing/relocation/makeovers of stores as required

Training & Compliance:

• Working with new and existing franchisees to ensure all franchisees and their staff are adequately trained in procedures and product knowledge
• Through a combination of formal Store Audits and informal audits of pricing/marketing, etc., will regularly review performance against standards documented in the Franchise Agreement; Submits appropriate documentation to corporate office, documents unacceptable performance issues as per corporate procedures, elevates repeat/serious issues to senior operations management’s attention

Administration:

• Communications- reviews memoranda, faxes, emails and distributes information to the region as required
• Completes and submits reports on operations – RSF’s (Retail support forms), strategic store plans, store audits, DAP’s, etc.
• Prepares memorandum/letters/reports
• Works on special projects as required

What will you need to succeed?

Education and Experience

• College level graduate (preferably from a Business, Retail or Marketing program) and/or extensive retail experience
• Minimum of 2 to 3 years retail chain experience at a District, or multi-store management level leading 10+ stores in a large retail chain; ideally gained in a progressive operations roles
• Demonstrate strong retail visual merchandising skills

Knowledge and Skills

• Able to work independently, organize their work and the work of others;
• Able to multi-task and move from day to day-operational activities to planning level activities as required.
• Results driven and willing to strive for improvements and hold others accountable for their results
• Strong problem solving skills
• Strong customer service skills; communication skills and a sense of urgency
• Able to operate a computer, (MS office products); cash register (including point of sale software)
• Must hold a current drivers license and be able to drive.  Overnight trips may be required
• Must be able to work occasional evenings/weekends when required