Retail Operations

Musgrave supports thousands of retail and foodservice family businesses across Ireland. Through brands such as SuperValu, Centra, Daybreak, 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.

KEY ACTIVITIES

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

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 AND KNOWLEDGE

• 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 AND KNOWLEDGE

• Strategic thinking capability

• Experience of working in the food and beverage or retail/wholesale industry

• Project delivery

Starting salary is €35,000 and increases after 12 months subject to performance.

• 5% Programme completion bonus

Additional benefits include:

• Hybrid Working

• 23 days holidays

• Market Leading Pension Scheme

• Subsidised Cafeteria

• Be Well Work Well: our health and wellbeing programme

• Employee Assistance Programme: Free, independent and confidential advice on mental health, wellbeing, financial or legal issues

• Employee discount in Musgrave MarketPlace

• Award-Winning Development (gradireland Graduate Employer of the Year in 2019 and 2021, Best Graduate Training and Development Programme - Business Management in 2024, 2025 and 2026)

• Customised learning through Musgrave Institute

• Individual coaching

• Life Assurance

• Income Protection

• Bike to Work scheme

• Free parking

• Digital Doctor

• Home office equipment

• Employee Resource Groups

Additional location information

We enjoy a flexible hybrid way of working which allows us to focus on our outcomes and contributions. Work Smart @Musgrave is our hybrid approach which gives us the option to alternate our time between connecting and collaborating in the office and working remotely. Working this way allows us to enjoy the best of the remote working experience while also giving us the opportunity to connect in person and work together onsite. Across Musgrave, our roles allow for different levels of flexibility.