FRANCHISE EXECUTIVE, Johannesburg

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa (National Travel Required)
Industry: FMCG / Retail / Franchising

A leading organisation in the FMCG and franchising sector is seeking a dynamic and commercially driven Franchise Executive to oversee and optimise national franchise operations.

This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for driving business growth, strengthening brand standards, and ensuring operational excellence across a multi-site franchise network.

You will take ownership of national franchise performance, leading franchise managers and supporting franchisees to achieve strategic, operational, and financial objectives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing and leading a national team of franchise managers
• Driving operational excellence across all franchise locations
• Ensuring alignment to brand standards, product quality, and service delivery
• Developing and implementing growth strategies across the franchise network
• Supporting franchisees with business planning, performance improvement, and execution
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with franchisees and key stakeholders
• Conducting regular site visits to monitor performance and provide support
• Identifying operational challenges and implementing corrective strategies
• Driving the adoption of operational tools, campaigns, and best practices
• Managing financial performance, including:
  • Increasing sales, customer spend, and footfall
  • Improving gross profit and reducing shrinkage
  • Monitoring budgets, performance metrics, and financial reporting
• Supporting marketing and brand development initiatives
• Ensuring effective implementation of national campaigns and local marketing strategies
• Acting as brand custodian to ensure consistency and integrity across all stores
• Overseeing reporting, administration, and compliance across the franchise network
• Conducting financial reviews and audits
• Ensuring accurate and timely reporting from franchisees
• Driving expansion and growth opportunities, including new store openings
• Identifying new markets, sites, and business opportunities
• Supporting franchisees through store setup, training, and launch execution
• Leading training and development initiatives across the franchise network
• Identifying skills gaps and coordinating training interventions
• Coaching and mentoring franchise managers and store teams

Key requirements:

• Relevant qualification in Business, Franchise Management, or related field
• 6+ years' experience in franchising, FMCG, or retail operations
• Proven experience managing multi-site or franchise operations
• Strong financial and commercial acumen
• Experience in operational management, business planning, and performance improvement
• Strong understanding of brand management and franchise models
• Advanced MS Office skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

• A strong leader with the ability to influence and drive performance
• Commercially minded with a focus on growth and profitability
• Highly organised with strong planning and execution capability
• A relationship builder with excellent stakeholder engagement skills
• Hands-on, proactive, and solutions-driven
• Resilient and able to operate in a fast-paced, multi-site environment

• Opportunity to lead and shape a national franchise network
• High-impact role with direct influence on business growth and brand success
• Exposure to strategic, operational, and commercial decision-making
• Dynamic environment with strong stakeholder engagement
• Career growth within a well-established organisation