To meet the many challenges associated with the opening or transfer of a large supermarket, the intervention of an interim manager who is an expert in this type of complex operation is a key success factor.

Discover the role and strengths of the interim manager in the context of the deployment of a supermarket through a mission carried out by WAYDEN with a French DIY brand.

Deploying a supermarket: what are the challenges?

The deployment or transfer of a supermarket, such as a supermarket, a hypermarket or a DIY store, is accompanied by several large-scale challenges, at the same time logistical, human, financial, HR, regulatory, operational, etc.

Indeed, this project involves first of all anticipating regulatory and administrative constraints, such as: compliance with environmental standards, compliance with local regulations, obtaining the necessary authorisations (building permits, planning permissions, etc.). It also requires rigorous management of many operations of different kinds: supervision of site meetings, moving stocks, setting up technical infrastructure, etc.

In addition, these operations are very often accompanied by many human challenges. It is indeed necessary to coordinate the teams and ensure the involvement of everyone, to train employees in new processes and tools, but also to anticipate and remove the resistance to change inherent in this type of project.

Careful budget management is also essential to respect budget constraints, monitor costs related to works, transfer operations, acquisition of new equipment, recruitment costs, etc.

Finally, this type of operation is generally subject to a strict schedule, which must be rigorously respected.

Why use interim management when deploying a supermarket?

Faced with these many challenges, the intervention of an external actor, a specialist in this type of operation, can be decisive in the success of the project. With a career spanning 15 to 25 years, the interim manager is a seasoned professional, who stands out for his or her cutting-edge expertise and multiple human and managerial qualities : boldness, leadership, pragmatism, listening skills, relational intelligence, etc.

Thanks to his long experience in managing the deployment of large surfaces, his hindsight and his immediate operational excellence , he will be able to quickly identify priority actions and take the reins of the operation by ensuring strict compliance with the deadlines and the budget set, but also by guaranteeing the support of all stakeholders.

Example of a mission to transfer and deploy a large DIY store

As part of the transfer of a DIY store of more than 13,000 m², a renowned brand asked WAYDEN to identify and mobilize an interim manager. His mission: to supervise the operation, by ensuring both the technical and human management of the project, and by integrating a new customer experience concept. The objective was to open the new point of sale in six months and to ensure that it was handed over to its future manager.

Thanks to the WAYDEN network, the interim manager, an expert in mass distribution with more than 25 years of experience in store creation and transfer, was selected to lead this mission.

Under the supervision of the Director of Operations, he coordinated the work, supervised the service providers, managed the budget, launched the orders and recruited the necessary teams. The operation, whose success depended in large part on the commitment of the operational teams on the ground, was completed on time, resulting in a smooth and serene transition.