Franchise Business Consultant

Location: Markham, Ontario

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