Senior Manager - HR Retail

Role Overview :

The Head – Retail HR will be responsible for building and scaling the HR framework to support rapid retail expansion. The role will drive retail org structure planning, talent acquisition, succession planning, performance-linked incentives, learning & development, reward & recognition, compensation & benefits, and HR governance across retail stores.

This role will closely partner with Retail Operations, New Store Opening, Expansion, Real Estate, and Project teams to ensure seamless manpower readiness and cultural alignment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Retail Organization Structure Planning

- Design and implement scalable retail org structures aligned with expansion strategy.
- Define role charters, manpower budgeting, and store-wise staffing models.
- Plan manpower for 55 new stores within defined timelines.
- Optimize span of control and productivity benchmarks across regions.

2. Succession Planning

- Develop succession framework for Store Managers, Cluster Managers, and key retail leadership roles.
- Identify high-potential talent and create Individual Development Plans (IDPs).
- Build internal leadership pipeline to reduce external dependency.

3. Talent Acquisition & Hiring

- Lead end-to-end hiring for retail stores (on-roll & off-roll).
- Develop fast-track hiring model to support rapid store launches.
- Partner with Regional HRs to ensure hiring TAT adherence.
- Create vendor network for mass hiring where required.
- Ensure manpower readiness before store go-live.

4. Incentive Rollout & Performance Management

- Design and implement retail incentive structures aligned to revenue and productivity metrics.
- Drive goal setting framework for store teams.
- Monitor incentive effectiveness and ROI.
- Partner with Retail Operations Head to align KPIs.

5. Learning & Development (L&D)

- Design capability building programs for:
- Store Managers
- Sales Associates
- Cluster Heads
- Develop onboarding framework for new store hires.
- Create retail leadership development programs.
- Ensure training effectiveness measurement.

6. Reward & Recognition (R&R)

- Conceptualize and roll out retail-specific R&R programs.
- Implement monthly/quarterly performance recognition frameworks.
- Drive engagement initiatives across retail workforce.
- Strengthen employer branding within retail ecosystem.

7. Compensation & Benefits (C&B)

- Benchmark retail compensation structure.
- Standardize salary bands across regions.
- Design retention-linked benefits for critical roles.
- Ensure statutory compliance for on-roll and off-roll workforce.

8. New Store Opening (NSO) HR Readiness

- Coordinate with:
- New Store Opening Team
- Retail Operations Team
- Expansion Team
- Real Estate Team
- Project Team
- Ensure manpower mapping before store handover.
- Drive pre-opening training & induction.
- Create store launch HR checklist & SOP.

9. HR Operations & Governance

- Ensure compliance across retail locations.
- Drive HR dashboards for:
- Attrition
- Hiring TAT
- Cost per hire
- Productivity ratios
- Maintain discipline, employee relations, and grievance redressal.

Key Deliverables (First 6–12 Months)

- Retail org structure blueprint for 55-store expansion.
- 100% manpower readiness for new store launches.
- Retail incentive model rollout.
- Succession pipeline for top 2 layers in stores.
- Reduced attrition across retail workforce.
- Strong HRBP model across regions.

Experience:

- 10–15+ years in HR, with strong exposure to Retail / FMCG / QSR / Multi-location businesses.
- Experience in high-growth or rapid expansion environment preferred.

Skills:

- Strong business partnering capability.
- Data-driven decision making.
- Stakeholder management across functions.
- Expertise in retail hiring at scale.
- Strong knowledge of C&B and incentive design.
- Leadership and team management skills.

Behavioral

Competencies:

- Strategic thinking with execution focus.
- High agility in expansion environment.
- Strong ownership mindset.
- Ability to work under aggressive timelines.
- Influencing and collaboration skills.