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Job description: Retail Area Manager
As an area or regional manager, you'll have overall responsibility for all your company's stores in a large area, possibly including several counties.
You'll also assume responsibility for all the staff, which could mean as many as 60 - 80 members of staff per store.
As you'd expect in such an important role, you'll have a wide range of responsibilities.These are likely to include delivering growth, maximising sales and profitability, providing your team with a stimulating and supportive environment, maintaining and increasing standards of customer service and other areas across your shops, driving team performance and controlling training and development of your staff.
You will have a large measure of autonomy, working alongside other senior managers and store and department managers.
Hours and Environment
You would normally work between 35 and 40 hours a week, but may also work weekends and evenings on occasions.
You will be office-based, but will also travel around your area visiting individual stores.
Skills and Interests
To be a good area manager you'll need a wide range of skills, including:
- The ability to inspire, motivate and lead a team
- Excellent communication and 'people' skills
- A strong commitment to customer service
- The ability to work under pressure and handle challenging situations
- Confidence, drive and enthusiasm
- Decision-making ability and a sense of responsibility
- The ability to understand and analyse sales figures
- Planning and organisational skills
- Commercial acumen
- A capacity for innovation.
Entry
A senior role such as this normally demands sound previous experience, probably as store or department manager. Management experience in another industry may also be acceptable.
There are no specific qualifications, although you will need to be competent in maths and IT. Most companies will ask you to be qualified to at least level 3 (for example, with A levels or an equivalent such as a BTEC National Diploma).
When looking for work, a foundation degree, BTEC HNC or degree in retail management, business or marketing can help.
Many retail degrees are 'sandwich courses', which include a year's work placement to give you hands-on experience. Visit the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service website to look for courses.
Training
When you're working for a chain, you may be offered in-house training. Larger organisations will offer a programme of ongoing training throughout your retail career.
In addition to this, you will be expected to develop your management skills on the job.
Opportunities
Promotion prospects in retail are generally excellent, particularly in larger organisations that are committed to staff training.
You'll find jobs advertised in both the local and national press, at Jobcentre Plus, on employers' own websites, in-store and on specialist recruitment websites.
You should be prepared to move companies.
Annual Income
This annual income section is intended as a guideline only.
- Typically, area managers can earn between £40,000 and £50,000, and more.
- You may also earn extra bonuses and commission for meeting sales targets.
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