Ugaoo - Head - Retail Operations (8-10 yrs)

Head of Retail Sales & Operations

At Ugaoo, we're not just selling plants - we're crafting immersive retail experiences that bring nature closer to people. With 10 COCO and 8 SIS stores across Pune, Mumbai & Bangalore and many more on the way-we are redefining how customers engage with plants.

Every Ugaoo store is thoughtfully designed to be more than just a retail space. It's a green oasis where customers can explore lush displays, discover premium plants, stylish pots, and essential plant care products, and receive expert guidance from our team. Whether they're seasoned plant lovers or first-time buyers, we make their journey effortless, educational, and inspiring.

As we continue to expand, our vision is clear to make plant shopping a seamless, engaging, and unforgettable experience. To drive this vision, we are looking for a dynamic Head of Retail Operations who will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our stores, reporting directly to the Founder.

This role will focus on :

- Transforming retail spaces into immersive plant destinations by curating in-store experiences that engage and educate customers

- Enhancing customer interactions through personalized service, knowledgeable staff, and seamless shopping experiences

- Ensuring every store reflects Ugaoo's brand ethos, from store design and merchandising to plant quality and service excellence

- Driving in-store activations, workshops, and collaborations that make plant shopping interactive and inspiring

- Expanding Ugaoo's offline presence strategically, identifying the right locations and partnerships to grow our community of plant lovers

Responsibilities:

Strategy, Planning & Management:

- Own and drive Ugaoo's retail experience PAN India, ensuring seamless operations and a consistent brand experience across all stores.

- Develop and execute customer engagement initiatives that attract, educate, and retain customers, making plant shopping an inspiring journey.

- Ensure profitability and revenue growth across all COCO stores and SIS, using data-driven insights to optimize store performance and track financial success.

- Leverage data-driven insights to optimize store performance, forecast sales, track profitability, and set ambitious yet achievable targets.

- Lead marketing and promotional strategies, introducing new products and services while enhancing in-store experiences to drive footfall and sales.

- Expand Ugaoo's retail footprint by leading the General Trade (GT) function and forging partnerships with local garden stores across major cities.

Leadership & Team Management:

- Provide strategic direction and guidance to regional teams, ensuring each store aligns with Ugaoo's experiential retail vision.

- Build and nurture a strong retail team, ensuring a robust hiring pipeline, attracting top talent, and fostering a culture of excellence with HR support.

- Set and monitor key performance metrics, defining KRAs/KPIs for City Heads and store teams to drive accountability and efficiency.

- Conduct regular performance reviews and team meetings, equipping the retail workforce with the tools, training, and support needed to excel.

- Continuously identify opportunities for improvement, implementing training programs, operational strategies, and policies to enhance productivity and morale.

Operational Excellence:

- Oversee and execute the launch of new stores, from location selection to store setup, ensuring seamless expansion aligned with Ugaoo's brand vision.

- Ensure a hands-on approach with frequent store visits across all regions, maintaining high standards of execution and customer experience.

- Collaborate with Visual Merchandisers to maintain visually captivating store displays that reflect Ugaoo's brand ethos.

- Ensure adherence to SOPs, brand guidelines, and operational best practices to maintain efficiency across all retail stores.

- Oversee inventory management, ensuring optimal stock levels, minimizing shrinkage, and maintaining product availability across all locations.

- Develop an in-depth understanding of Ugaoo's product portfolio, ensuring that store teams are well-versed in product knowledge and customer education.

Requirements:

- 8 to 10 years of experience in retail operations, preferably in experiential retail, premium lifestyle brands, or high-engagement consumer categories.

- Proven track record of driving profitability and revenue growth across multiple store locations.

- Strong experience in launching and expanding retail stores, including site selection, setup, and operational execution.

- Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience in hiring, training, and developing high-performing retail teams.

- Hands-on experience in setting and monitoring KPIs, ensuring adherence to SOPs, and optimizing operational efficiency.

- Excellent understanding of customer experience and engagement strategies, with a passion for creating immersive retail spaces.

- Strong business acumen with the ability to build strategic partnerships and drive expansion initiatives.

- Willingness to travel extensively to oversee store operations across multiple cities.

Who We're Looking For :

We're seeking leaders who are ready to bring their expertise to a company on the rise. If you're motivated by the prospect of driving innovation, leading with purpose, and contributing to a legacy. Ugaoo offers the perfect environment for the next step in your career.

Join us, and help shape the future of gardening and grow with us, because Plants Grow People.