Area Manager

About the role...

Location: This Area will include stores located North-East of Birmingham, Staffordshire and Derbyshire.

The Area Manager leads the day-to-day operations and performance of multiple stores across a defined area or region. This role is accountable for ensuring every store consistently delivers the basics brilliantly, underpinned by exceptional customer service and strong commercial results. Working closely with key stakeholders, the Area Manager creates the right conditions for teams to succeed and achieve business targets.

A core responsibility of the role is developing colleagues at every level, from frontline teams through to leadership, supporting clear and meaningful career pathways. Regular store visits are essential, so comfort with travel is important.

We uphold three core behaviours that guide all our actions:

Love Our Customers: We strive to delight our customers, listening and responding to their needs because they are our priority.

Care for Our Colleagues: We support each other to foster a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Protect Our Pounds/Euros: We are committed to cost-efficiency and value, ensuring every penny counts.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Why choose us?

Professional development: A comprehensive induction plan and the opportunity to complete in-house development programmes to set you up for success or to pursue a qualification through our apprenticeship programme.

Bonus Potential: Unlock the possibility of earning additional bonuses, rewarding your hard work and achievements.

Car Allowance: Enjoy the advantage of a car allowance, allowing you to choose your own vehicle while reducing commuting costs.

Free On-Site Parking: Enjoy the convenience of free parking, making your daily commute hassle-free.

Onsite Coffee Lounge: Take advantage of our onsite coffee lounge, a perfect space to relax and recharge during breaks.

Exclusive Store Discounts: Receive a 10% discount on most in-store purchases, enhancing your shopping experience.

Family-Friendly Benefits: Our comprehensive benefits are designed to support your and your family’s needs.

My Staff Shop: Gain exclusive discounts through our ‘My Staff Shop’ portal, saving on various products and services.

Life Assurance Cover: Enjoy peace of mind with our life assurance cover, securing your family’s future.

Health & Wellbeing Programme: Benefit from an employee assistance programme that supports your health and wellbeing.

Generous Holiday Allowance: Start with a generous leave entitlement of 33 days per year, with the option to buy additional holidays annually. Celebrate your special day off work every year with an extra day of holiday because we believe birthdays are important.

Pension Scheme: Plan for the future with our contributory pension scheme, helping you save for a secure retirement.

Your Impact and Responsibilities…

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and inspire teams across your area through clear communication and strong follow-up.
• Coach and upskill colleagues at all levels, providing robust leadership through periods of change.
• Plan, motivate, and guide Store Managers to achieve individual and area performance goals.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and consistently high standards.
• Lead regular reviews, catch-ups, and area sessions to keep teams aligned to the plan.

Sales & Performance Management

• Monitor and analyse sales, profitability, and store performance across your area.
• Deliver strategies that drive sales growth, improve profitability, and enhance performance.
• Build and execute continuous improvement plans, using company tools to support recovery and future growth.
• Ensure stores consistently meet or exceed customer service and satisfaction standards.

Operations & Compliance

• Ensure all stores operate in line with company policies, procedures, and operational standards.
• Oversee stock management, maintaining availability while minimising loss.
• Work closely with the Health & Safety team to ensure safe and consistent trading.
• Identify and resolve operational issues quickly, minimising impact on performance.

Budgeting & Financial Management

• Set clear, engaging targets that motivate Store Managers to deliver strong results.
• Control costs and improve efficiencies to maximise profit.
• Manage labour budgets effectively, deploying teams to optimise customer and colleague experience.
• Take full ownership of your area’s P&L, using data and trends to drive profit growth.

Customer Experience

• Set and maintain a strong customer service standard across all stores.
• Provide regular feedback, coaching, and support to drive consistent excellence.
• Manage escalated customer issues professionally and effectively.

Competitor Awareness

• Monitor competitor activity and changing customer preferences.
• Identify opportunities for growth and market expansion within your area.
• Own your towns by understanding local market trends and reinforcing our position as The Home of the Pound.

Skills and Knowledge…

• Proven experience as an Area Manager or in a senior multi-site retail leadership role, with a strong background in retail operations, sales, and people leadership.
• Ideally a minimum of three years’ experience, with a demonstrated ability to set and deliver targets, lead high-performing teams, and make sound commercial decisions.
• Strong leadership and people development capability, with a track record of motivating, coaching, and developing Store Managers and large teams.
• Confident leader able to drive performance through others and build engaged, high-performing teams across multiple locations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong commercial acumen, supported by analytical thinking and effective problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Experienced change leader, able to support colleagues through transformation and address concerns positively.
• Proven success in driving sales growth, improving store profitability, and delivering against performance targets.
• Strong understanding of retail operations, customer service standards, and visual merchandising.
• Customer-focused mindset, with experience embedding a customer-centric culture and maintaining consistently high service standards.
• Confident decision-maker, capable of managing escalated issues and aligning actions with wider business objectives.