Retail Manager [Freshcity Chatswood Pty Ltd t/a Fresh City Chatswood]

Freshcity Chatswood Pty Ltd trading as Fresh City Chatswood is seeking a commercially astute and hands-on full-time Retail Manager to lead store operations within one of Sydney’s high-performing fresh food retail businesses with a strong team culture and consistent customer demand.

Offering a competitive salary package in the range of AUD 75,000 to AUD 85,000 per annum plus superannuation, negotiable based on experience and operational capability, this role is suited to a candidate who can drive retail performance, oversee daily trading operations, and maintain exceptional customer engagement standards.

This role offers a leadership opportunity within a high-volume fresh produce retail environment located in the heart of the Chatswood retail precinct on Victoria Avenue, supported by an established local customer base and consistent daily trade. The Retail Manager will drive sales performance, oversee staff supervision and development, manage inventory and rostering, and ensure compliance with food safety and workplace standards.

Scope of the Role:

- Determine and manage the assortment, stock levels, display standards and quality controls for fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, salads, cut and pre-packed produce, and complementary grocery and dry goods lines, informed by seasonal availability, growing cycles, customer demand patterns and weekly market conditions.

- Formulate and implement purchasing, pricing and inventory policies, conduct supplier evaluation and negotiate supply arrangements with growers, wholesalers and market agents to ensure product availability, cost-effective procurement and margin optimisation for high-turnover perishable lines.

- Develop and execute targeted in-store promotions, seasonal specials, weekly price boards and local community marketing initiatives that capitalise on the store’s established presence in the Chatswood precinct to drive sustained customer traffic and revenue growth.

- Monitor and analyse financial performance, prepare operational budgets and sales forecasts, control operating costs and implement responsive strategies to secure profitability targets.

- Maintain accurate records of stock movements, wastage, shrinkage, point-of-sale transactions, cash handling and daily reconciliations to ensure robust financial and inventory control.

- Lead the recruitment, training, rostering and performance management of the entire team to uphold service quality, labour utilisation efficiency and compliance with Fair Work standards.

- Establish and enforce customer service protocols, manage escalated complaints professionally, and provide informed product guidance on seasonality, provenance, storage and preparation to enhance overall customer satisfaction and the in-store experience.

- Oversee supplier relationships and logistics coordination to ensure timely daily deliveries, cold chain integrity, product quality consistency, and adherence to correct receiving, storage and handling standards for fresh produce.

- Implement loss-prevention and stock-control systems to minimise theft, spoilage and operational risk across fresh food retail operations.

- Ensure full compliance with food safety and handling regulations, produce labelling and country-of-origin requirements, trade measurement and weighing obligations, occupational health and safety standards and relevant statutory obligations across all customer touchpoints, in accordance with applicable NSW legislation.

To be considered for this role, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Essential requirements

- 2+ years’ management or supervisory experience in a greengrocer, supermarket or high-volume fresh food retail environment

- Hands-on experience managing daily store operations, staff rostering, and labour cost control

- Track record monitoring sales, stock, wastage, and COGS against store performance KPIs

- Demonstrated ability to lead, train, and retain a team in a fast-paced retail environment

- Sound understanding of fresh produce quality assessment, stock rotation, markdown and clearance decision-making

- Working knowledge of HACCP principles, WHS obligations, and food retail compliance — Food Safety Supervisor cert preferred

- Available to work rotating roster including early starts, weekends, public holidays, and peak trading periods

- Confident managing escalated customer complaints in line with store service standards

Preferred

- Diploma in Business, Retail Management, or equivalent (AQF Diploma or higher)

- Prior fruit and vegetable, greengrocer, or independent supermarket management experience

- Familiarity with produce procurement through Sydney Markets and direct grower relationships

- Experience driving average transaction value and category performance in an independent retail setting

How to join the team

Please submit an online application to join our diverse, compassionate, and dedicated team for a rewarding career. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

Candidates must hold Australian or NZ Citizenship or have the capacity to work in Australia permanently. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable permanent resident or citizen of Australia has been identified for this position following suitable labour market testing.