General Manager

Our client is preparing to open a new large-format grocery and general merchandise store in Mississauga and is seeking an experienced General Manager to lead the operation from pre-opening through full launch. This role offers a rare opportunity to help build a flagship store from the ground up—shaping processes, establishing service standards, selecting and developing the leadership team, and creating an exceptional customer experience from day one.

The General Manager will play a key role in designing how the store operates, implementing core systems, and ensuring a smooth transition from construction to opening. Once live, they will oversee all aspects of daily performance, including sales, team leadership, merchandising execution, customer service, safety, and financial accountability. This position is ideal for a hands-on, commercially minded operator who enjoys complex environments and can balance strategic planning with visible, daily leadership on the floor. Success in this role requires deep experience in grocery or large-format retail, a strong understanding of market and consumer trends, and the confidence to lead large teams in a fast-paced, multicultural environment. The ideal candidate is someone who can build trust quickly, make sound operational decisions, and set the tone for a culture rooted in accountability, integrity, and high performance. If you are both strategic and hands-on, able to see the big picture while managing the many moving parts that define a busy retail operation, we'd love to connect.

Description

Store Opening & Operational Setup

• Lead all aspects of pre-opening operations for a new large-format store.
• Partner with IT and ownership to select and implement modern POS and inventory systems.
• Oversee store layout, adjacencies, signage, and operational readiness.
• Develop and implement operational routines, including cash handling, service expectations, and opening/closing standards.

Day-to-Day Store Operations

• Lead all daily operations to achieve sales, labour, and service goals.
• Manage scheduling, floor coverage, and labour optimization.
• Oversee cash handling, loss prevention, safe counts, and compliance.
• Provide leadership to department managers across grocery, produce, meat, bakery, deli, front end, and general merchandise.
• Maintain a strong floor presence to support service standards and team engagement.
• Ensure food safety, health & safety, and regulatory compliance.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Lead hiring ramp-up and recruitment for all store teams.
• Select, onboard, and develop strong department managers.
• Build a culture rooted in accountability, integrity, and customer-first values.
• Provide ongoing coaching and performance management.
• Support leadership development and succession planning within the store.

Customer Experience & Community Engagement

• Maintain and grow the store's core customer base while expanding appeal to a broader demographic.
• Ensure service delivery reflects quality, freshness, value, and warm, inclusive interactions.
• Understand and support ethnic and high-volume product needs, including Halal, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and multicultural assortments.
• Participate in community outreach, partnerships, and grand-opening events

Merchandising, Assortment & Local Marketing

• Execute central merchandising strategies and deliver consistent in-store presentation.
• Provide real-time feedback on sales trends, fast/slow movers, and local preferences.
• Support flyer execution, promotions, in-store signage, and special events.
• Ensure merchandising standards and displays reflect local needs and drive sales.

Financial & Systems Accountability

• Manage the store P&L, including sales, labour, shrinkage, and controllable costs.
• Use reporting tools to monitor performance and adjust strategies quickly.
• Partner with finance and payroll to ensure accurate time approvals and reporting.

Requirements

• 7–10+ years of progressive experience in grocery retail.
• Minimum 3–5 years as a Store Manager or GM of a large-format, full-service grocery store.
• Experience opening or significantly remodelling a store.
• Strong understanding of grocery POS/inventory systems and modern retail technology.
• Experience serving diverse communities and managing ethnic grocery assortments.
• Hands-on operator with comfort working non-routine hours during pre-opening.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, able to lead seasoned department managers.
• Able to operate autonomously while building trust with ownership.
• Experience in independent, non-franchise grocery operations.
• Exposure to retail environments that blend grocery and General Merchandise
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial setting where processes evolve quickly.

Corporate Culture

• Be part of a high-profile store launch with the autonomy to build systems, teams, and standards from the ground up.
• Influence strategic decisions in a growing retail organization that values initiative, ownership, and strong operational judgment.
• Lead a full-format store where both grocery and general merchandise categories play a major role in the customer experience.
• Work in an environment that prioritizes quality, freshness, diverse assortments, and inclusive service.
• Opportunities for future growth as the business expands and continues to evolve.

Contact Miriam Ronen at x4 or submit your resume in confidence below.