Retail Operations
Build your commercial skills and make a real impact in the fast-moving world of retail operations with market leading brands.
Job overview
The Retail Operations Graduate role offers the opportunity to join Ireland’s largest private sector employer. This award-winning two-year programme includes experience in stores and with Sales and Retail Operations teams in Cork and Dublin, with frequent business travel. Graduates will gain exposure to day-to-day store operations, sales growth, waste and margin management, new store openings and revamps, and supporting independent retail partners to deliver brand standards. They will build commercial, operational and influencing skills while working with Store Managers, Regional Managers, retailers and colleagues across Trading, Marketing, Operations and Finance.
Key facts
Duration of programme
2 years
Location
Cork, Dublin, Retail stores
Rotations
In-store, Sales and Retail Operations teams in office
Essential qualifications
Honours Degree (Level 8); all disciplines accepted
Desirable qualifications
Practical internship or experience in retail or project management or commercial role is an advantage
Job description
Musgrave supports thousands of retail and foodservice family businesses across Ireland. Through brands such as SuperValu, Centra, Daybreak, MACE, Frank and Honest and Musgrave MarketPlace, we help feed one in three people in Ireland every day.
That scale creates real opportunity. As a Musgrave Graduate, you’ll contribute to work that supports local communities, strengthens our business and helps shape long-term sustainable growth. Our values guide how we do that — through honest relationships, trust, hard work and a commitment to doing the right thing.
Our retail brands are market leaders, driven by passionate independent retail partners and supported by committed teams across our wider business. This role gives graduates broad exposure to Retail Operations, helping them understand how our operating model supports retailers, delivers brand standards, improves commercial performance and enables a consistent customer experience across our network.
This role will include exposure to store operations, but within the context of understanding the broader operational drivers of the Retail business. Graduates will build insight into the processes, systems and performance levers that support profitable retailing, including sales growth, waste management, margin improvement, operational standards, internal systems and store development projects.
You will also gain experience working with our Sales teams, who play a pivotal role in supporting our independent retail partners and bringing our brand plans to life. This will provide exposure to how the business supports retailers through operational advice, performance improvement, new store openings, revamp projects, fresh food capability, product rollouts and ongoing execution of brand standards across the estate.
The scope of the Retail Operations Graduate role comprises a two-year experiential development programme designed to build commercial understanding, operational capability and broad business knowledge. Over the course of the Programme, you will work with different teams across our network, gaining experience in how Retail Operations supports multiple brands, responds to different market requirements and delivers projects that strengthen business performance.
This is an excellent opportunity for graduates with a keen interest in the food and beverage retail/wholesale industry who are results-driven, commercially focused and motivated to contribute to operational excellence and wider business performance.
Musgrave Institute – Where Futures Are Created
Through Musgrave Institute, you’ll be part of an award-winning Graduate Programme designed to help you understand your strengths, build your confidence and develop the skills to shape your future career.
Your development will include tailored learning, key experiences in your role, coaching, mentoring and bespoke graduate development days. You’ll also work on business projects and present your ideas to senior leaders at our Early Careers Summit — giving you the opportunity to make an impact and build your network from the start.
The key activities across the business include:
- Working in a Store under the direction of the Store Manager / Assistant Manager performing day to day store operational tasks e.g. Ordering of stock, growing sales, managing waste, shrink and markdown, enhancing margin, operating the GOLD system and using this to drive scan margin in the store.
- Working with the Sales team to train and support Retailers in executing our Brand plan to the highest standard.
- Working in conjunction with Regional Managers to continue to develop the Brand and drive profitable sales.
The role involves working closely with Retailers and Sales teams in several areas such as:
- New store openings and revamping stores, working with the relevant cross functional team to ensure that the projects are delivered on time and within budget.
- Underperforming stores identified as having specific operational needs, ensuring a plan is in place, is being worked to and the impact of same is being measured.
- Delivering & embedding retail excellence as a way of working, developing and sharing best practice procedures amongst the stores.
- Develop strong cross-functional working relationships with key stakeholders including trading, marketing, operations, and finance promoting a strong customer-focused offer at all times.
- Support project development and rollout.
- Administrative activities linked to project management, etc.
- Participation in the Musgrave Graduate Development Programme.
Primary relationships
- Regional Managers/Regional Support Managers
- Store Managers/Assistant Store Manager
- Retailers
- Sales support team
Secondary relationships
- Sales Director
- Graduate Mentor
- Graduate Coach
- Early Careers Manager
- Other graduates
Essential qualifications
Honours Degree (Level 8); all disciplines accepted
Desirable qualifications
Practical internship or experience in retail or project management or commercial role is an advantage
Essential skills
- Desire to work in a commercially focused role in the food and beverage retail/wholesale industry
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to use data to inform decision making
- Strong influencing skills and the ability to manage challenging discussions for win/win outcomes
- Microsoft Office experience
- Ability to deliver to aggressive targets and timelines
- Prioritisation skills to manage workload and competing demand
Desirable skills
- Strategic thinking capability
- Experience of working in the food and beverage or retail/wholesale industry
- Project delivery
Benefits
Financial well-being
From life assurance and income protection to employee discounts, we want to make sure we look after your financial well-being.
Personal development
We offer an extensive range of tailored learning and development programmes for all colleagues at Musgrave and our early career employees also have access to individual coaching and more.
Workplace flexibility
We want your work to fit with and enhance your life. We offer hybrid working between our offices, home and other sites, as well as a range of workplace benefits and equipment.
Health and well-being
Ensuring our colleague of healthy and happy is a priority for us and we offer a wide range of well-being initiatives, sports and social clubs, digital doctor service and more.
Our opportunities
Check out more of our current opportunities and see how you can create your future with us.
Apply now
Apply now for our 2027 graduate opportunities and take the first step toward an exciting career with Musgrave.
