Job Description

General Manager – Member Development & Retail Operations

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Shape retail performance. Build member capability. Create the benchmark for what excellent looks like.

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Associated Retailers Limited (ARL) is looking for an experienced, commercially minded retail leader to join our executive team as General Manager – Member Development & Retail Operations.

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This is a unique opportunity to influence performance across a network of 290+ independent members and 400 stores across Australia and New Zealand, while leading the transformation of ARL's recently acquired company-owned SportsPower and Toyworld stores.

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About ARL

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ARL is a leading retail services group supporting independent retailers across some of Australia's best-known retail brands, including SportsPower, Toyworld, Compleat Angler, Camping World and Mensland.

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Our purpose is simple: to help independent retailers build thriving, contemporary and profitable businesses.

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We've recently added 10 company-owned SportsPower and Toyworld stores to our network. These stores give us an exciting opportunity to test, learn and demonstrate retail best practice - then share what works across our broader member network.

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The Opportunity

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Reporting to the CEO, you'll lead two interconnected priorities:

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You'll lead ARL's member development agenda - helping independent retailers strengthen their capability, performance and profitability - while taking commercial ownership of our company-owned store portfolio.

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Your focus will include:

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Lifting the performance and profitability of our company-owned stores.

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Developing these stores into benchmarks for retail best practice across the ARL network.

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Turning store learnings and insights into practical initiatives that help our independent members perform better.

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Leading, coaching and developing Store Managers and retail teams.

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Driving retail disciplines across sales, margin, inventory, wages, buying, ranging, promotions and local marketing.

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Strengthening the member journey,



including onboarding, development and offboarding.

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Building and executing a member recruitment strategy to grow the ARL network.

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Using better data, systems and commercial insights to drive decision-making and performance.

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About You

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You're an experienced retail leader who knows what makes a great retail business tick.

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Commercial and hands-on, you're equally comfortable reviewing a P&L;, challenging inventory levels, coaching a Store Manager, talking strategy with the CEO or getting into a store to understand what could be better.

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Ideally, you'll bring:

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Senior multi-site retail leadership experience.

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Experience in a franchise, member-based or independent retail network.

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Strong P&L; ownership and a track record of improving profitability.

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Deep understanding of the key retail levers - sales, gross margin, inventory, wages and operating costs.

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Experience developing high-performing Store Managers and retail leaders.

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Strong knowledge of buying, merchandise and inventory management.

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Excellent commercial judgement, stakeholder management and communication skills.

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A practical, curious and improvement-focused leadership style.

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Most importantly, you'll enjoy taking ownership, building capability and being accountable for results.

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Why ARL?

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This isn't a role where you'll simply inherit an established operating model. You'll have the opportunity to shape it.

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You'll influence retail performance across hundreds of independent businesses, help evolve two iconic Australian retail brands - SportsPower and Toyworld - and create a company-store network that demonstrates what great retail can look like.

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You'll also enjoy:

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A senior role with genuine scope and autonomy.

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Direct influence on ARL's growth and retail strategy.

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Competitive salary package.

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Birthday leave.

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Oakleigh Support Office with free parking.

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If you're a commercially driven retail leader who loves building great teams, improving businesses and turning retail strategy into results, we'd love to hear from you.

📌 General Manager - Member Development & Retail Operations (Victoria)
🏢 Associated Retailers
📍 Victoria