Our Client is a multi- national food logistics and facilities provider. Founded in 1957 its headquarters are in Europe and are renowned as a market leader and an innovative distributor of wholesale food products and food logistics concepts. They are experts in the handling of customs procedures, cross border transactions and dealing with local cultures, languages and bureaucracy.

They distribute food products across all temperature spans including fresh produce and also deliver soft drinks and bottled water. They have sites in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Near Asia, a fleet of 40 foot multi : temperature trucks and vans delivering to sites on a daily basis, many of which are difficult to reach or in dangerous areas!

Over the years the business has developed from food logistics to include the provision of other complex service solutions. They now provide extensive catering operations- both military feeding and commercial catering and have an expanding Retail Division which includes bakeries, coffee shops, hairdressing and beautician salons and PX / Duty Free retail stores which sell groceries, electrical and other duty free items etc. They also have a Site Services Division which provides construction of buildings and offices, general facilities management, fuel management, vehicle and plant maintenance services.


The Role:
This is a key role within our client?s organisation managing its Afghanistan retail PX operations whose customers are military and civilian personnel of countries who are supporting the peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan.

The primary objectives of the role will be:

§ To profitably manage our clients retail services business in Afghanistan, to deliver operational excellence exceeding customer?s expectations and enhance the strategic capabilities of our client

§ Develop and implement sales strategies with the Director : Retail Division for the on going development of market share through the attainment of new business and incrementally growing the base business in Afghanistan.

§ Successfully mobilise all new projects in accordance with contract requirements

§ Conduct internal audits of all aspects of the retail business on an on-going basis ensuring strict compliance with all operating principles and procedures

§ Liaise with other retail services key personnel to ensure operational; efficiency and consistency of customer service excellence

§ Review existing retail procedures and recommend improvements and methods of implementation

Knowledge and Skills:

To meet this unique challenge, you will ideally be an ambitious retail professional with significant retail experience ideally gained in an international recognised retail / duty free operation.

Experience of having managed a PX / NAAFI/ AFFES Store would be ideal.

With outstanding leadership ability and a strong customer focus, you will have the confidence to win credibility and make an immediate contribution.

Experience in QSR Area Management like McDonalds, KFC, Burger King, Subway etc and experience in a Franchise community would be highly advantageous.

You should be familiar with retail EPOS and computer based stock and WMS systems.

You should also have an appreciation of warehouse and logistics operations.

You should possess excellent communication skills in English and ideally one other language and be able to adapt to rapid changes in a positive manner and work to tight deadlines.

Superb inter-personal skills and instant credibility are essential as you will be inter-facing with a number of people from different backgrounds, nationalities and religions.

You will be resourceful with a flexible outlook, have the ability to multi-task in order to handle competing priorities and be able to fit in to an international dynamic and multi-cultural environment.

Finally you should possess a Drivers Licence.

This position brings with it fantastic scope and the right candidate would be expected to be capable of significant personal development and career growth within the business.

Whilst our Client?s operation is somewhat unique they are in it for the long term. Accordingly they seek a career minded Retailer and are looking for a minimum of 18 month?s commitment.

The basic salary is paid in US Dollars and is tax free. In addition there is a bonus payable after 12 month?s service which is paid annually and is also paid in US Dollars and tax free. Accommodation, laundry, transport, meals and private healthcare insurance are provided free. In addition there is a telephone allowance payable of 30 US Dollars per month.

You will receive 63 days annual leave per year and the working rota is:

14 weeks on - 3.5 weeks off
14 weeks on - 3.5 weeks off
13.5 weeks on : 3.5 weeks o