Operations Specialist

In your role as the Operations Specialist, at The North West Company (NWC), you will be responsible for the development of store teams with specific focus to increase operating and leadership competency and to improve program execution.

Your direct accountabilities are to train, motivate and develop store teams with specific focus to increase operating and leadership competency and to improve program execution.

Joining NWC gives you the opportunity for growth and development throughout the company, a competitive salary and benefits package, and to be part of a dynamic and diverse culture.

NWC is a leading retailer to under-served rural communities and urban neighbourhood markets in the following regions : Northern Canada, Western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific islands, and the Caribbean.

Our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food. Our value offer is to be the best local shopping choice for everyday household and local lifestyle needs.

Check out northwest.ca for more information.

Your Role :

Train, coach and audit operational, merchandising, production management, and customer service and health and safety programs .

• Conduct on-site training to store management and associates for new and existing processes and to address specific business unit or individual performance gaps.
• Perform audits to measure, track and benchmark performance against established brand and customer service standards, productivity measures and health and safety regulations.
• Plan and work collaboratively with store managers to ensure corrective action is taken to remedy gaps in the areas of profitability, customer service, staffing, merchandising, communication, promotions, financial services, health and safety, loss prevention, and general housekeeping and store conditions.
• Monitor workplace behaviours and the staff work environment at each store location to ensure awareness and maintenance of employee and workplace safety policies and track observations from each store on site visit reports.

Provide store, market and program specific insights to stakeholders that lead to improved programs, productivity, processes, training materials, and business growth.

• Develop expert process, program and market knowledge for a specified group of stores.
• Routinely engage with stakeholders across departments to establish open and positive lines of communication that build trust.

Monitor performance to ensure the consistent execution of operating standards, productivity, selling and merchandising programs, and customer service and safety standards.

• Establish targets and execute corrective action plans as needed throughout the year to address sales or performance gaps.
• Routinely provide performance updates and seek the input and advice from your manager for all significant performance gaps, continual improvement efforts, findings and initiatives.
• Be aware and monitor compliance of federal, territorial, provincial and or community regulations that affect business operations.

Assist and provide inputs to business planning, budgeting and target setting activities.

• Work with your manager to establish effective annual operating budgets for each store.
• Identify and work with your manager to plan and prioritize the capital needed to maintain effective store operations including general maintenance and upkeep, equipment lifecycle replacement, new equipment and fixtures and to enable new business growth.

Desired Skills & Experience :

• Experience working in northern communities or working with Indigenous groups or communities is required
• Five or more years managing retail stores, big box or multi-unit retail operations
• Knowledge of Indigenous cultures or languages is an asset
• Bilingual (French / English) is considered an asset
• Proficient oral and written communication
• Demonstrated strong leader with proven team-building and training capabilities
• Ability to multi-task, learn and adopt new practices in a fast-paced environment
• Strong problem solving and decision making capabilities
• Proficient computer skills in MS Excel, Word, Windows and Outlook
• Travel to northern Canada markets to days per year
• Ability periodically to operate store truck, store warehouse equipment and grocery store equipment
• Ability to regularly lift objects up to 50 lbs.

Location : Gibraltar House, 77 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB

Reports To : Director, Operations Support and Communications

We create a collaborative and constructive culture by :

• Being Enterprising
• Committing to our Customer
• Working with Passion
• Leading and Developing Others
• Demonstrating Respect and Inclusivity
• Building Trust

The North West Company is committed to inclusion and diversity and encourages applications from all candidates including but not limited to : all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, and persons with disabilities.

A competitive salary is being offered along with opportunities to learn, develop and advance throughout the organization.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

For Internal Applicants Only :

Salary Grade : COR

NOTE : If an existing employee is selected for a posted position they will be required to remain in that position a minimum of one year prior to applying for other posted positions unless authorized by their current supervisor.

New employees to the Company must also remain in their position a minimum of one year prior to applying for posted positions unless authorized by their supervisor.

This position adheres to the Corporate Job Posting Guidelines.

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