Area Manager

Actively contribute to the development of business including implementation, monitoring and review of a business strategy that maximizes the retail net profit by driving sales and controlling costs across all chain stores; to build motivated and high performing teams through effective leadership and management of retail staff. Successfully managing Retail Operations of the brand across all chain stores.

Job Accountabilities:
Ensure sales targets are communicated to the shop floor and sales are maximized.
Key focus on controlling costs such as manpower/ store operations and miscellaneous expenses.
To grow sales profit by motivating the staff to over achieve sales target.
To be aware of competition, retail sector trends and current trading opportunities.
To develop, implement, review and monitor the retail operating plan and budget.
To analyze information from POS (electronic point of sale) to seize opportunities and make informed management decisions, taking appropriate remedial action as required
To ensure all shops are efficiently and effectively managed, visiting them regularly, and monitoring their compliance with policy, procedure and standards.
To manage the warehouse operation in conjunction with Supply Chain Manager
Set and regulate product pricing using results of market and demand analysis
Evaluate operational and financial records to determine sales performance of a retail store
Prepare an annual report summarizing progress on short- and long-term plans
Develop forms and tools to increase operations efficiency and risk management.
Preparation of Sales Plan by category basis of LFL & seasonality & further ensuring achievement
Measures to augment the bottom line by cost cutting & high adequate mix of high margin & high value product lines
Planning & implementation of New Store Opening plans, Opening the store as per guidelines within agreed timelines
Administering weekly competition benchmarking for new launches
Responsible for Business planning with expansion of Retail stores across region.

Employee Management
Anticipate hiring needs, ensure sound hiring decisions and maintain correct staffing in stores always.
Effective and efficient Performance Management – includes monthly/bi-annual/annual review of the team as well as store manager and documentation of the same.
SOP awareness and implementation.
Address employee grievances within the stores and escalate through the proper channel and resolve.
To effectively recruit, induct, lead, manage, train and develop staff to agreed procedures and standards.
To ensure the effective management of all retail staff and to ensure adequate staffing levels throughout the business.
To give support to staff so they have the opportunity to develop their skills in the role and to achieve growth in sales.
To ensure that all performance issues, and other issues within the showroom, are addressed in an appropriate and timely manner.
To uphold the reputation of the Brand by maintaining high personal standards and projecting a warm, appreciative and welcoming attitude towards customers and staff.
To take responsibility for personal and professional development.
Actively promote the brand in local communities.
Direct and supervise retail staff across several retail outlets to ensure they meet set objectives
Provide training to retail employees to develop their skills and enhance their job performance
Provide solutions that address performance issues in a timely and effective manner
Contact store managers and other retail staff to communicate relevant information
Provide leadership and vision to the company by assisting the staffs with development of long term and annual plans, and with the evaluation and reporting of progress on plans
Effective scheduling and utilization of staff resources.
Manpower planning, identifying gaps and acquiring them, understanding Training needs
Identification of low performers & coaching them to deliver better results
Responsible for finalizing retail recruitment & career progression plan for team

Visual Merchandising & Inventory Management
Refer to the Brand aesthetics or guidelines provided by the Division/Brand Manager and implement the same in stores.
Plan deliveries of new stock and execution of the same based on Brand guidelines.
Coaching the employees how to optimize space for special events, such as in-store discount sales/ promotions.
Ensure that stores reflect the Brand retail best practice across all aspects of the brand and follow the corporate guidelines.
Communicate stock replenishment needs to the Division/ Brand Manager.
To develop corporate policy driving display, merchandising, pricing and grading whilst observing retail trends
To monitor stock in each shop, ensuring there are adequate supplies.
To identify methods of stock generation in conjunction with the Shop Manager, and to respond to stock concerns where relevant.
Planning Merchandise Mix, Price Mix resulting in optimum use of retail space
Execution of Visual Plans of the store as per guidelines and trends
Planning & Execution of overall Merchandise display basis category/sub category & family
Monitor inventory levels to determine the need for stock supply at each retail outlet
Inventory Management, availability of Top sellers & return/rotation of ageing inventory
Implementation of Perpetual inventory counts, identifying gaps in merchandise security

Operations
Responsible for smooth business operations and scheduling or planning of weekly Rota/ staff leaves in accordance with the policy as well as the business requirements.
Liaise with the HR Department to discuss various staff movements and promotions along with the mutual consent of Brand Managers and Store Managers.
Responsible for maintaining standards – including all housekeeping as well as Health & Safety practices and procedures and ensure basic store hygiene and maintenance.
Control damages and mixes by ensuring stockrooms are neat and well organized.
Implementation of correct procedures regarding store opening and closing and ensure that all potential security issues are resolved.
Working in conjunction with consultants and contractors, to carry out new shop site evaluations and questionnaires.
Working with contractors, to ensure shop refits are carried out in accordance with corporate guidelines meeting relevant time schedules and ensuring shop standards are maintained on an ongoing basis.
Plan preventative maintenance.
To instigate and implement new policies and working practices in conjunction with Brand/Division Managers and to undertake responsibility for ad-hoc initiatives, as and where appropriate.
To ensure the safety and security of people, stock, cash and property, implementing effective administration, POS, procedures and security systems throughout the shops in accordance with Brand guidelines.
Monitor the staff for their customer service to ensure a satisfied clientele
Ensure adherence to all legislation relating to – fire, employment, licensing etc.
Monitor and direct daily operations to ensure that goals and objectives are met in term of sales targets, margin and profit and take corrective action when necessary
Oversee smooth implementation of opening, closing and renovation of shops and often get involved with the buying process
Maintain smooth relationships with business partners to ensure that overall growth of the Brand is aligned with the company’s strategy
Promote customer service excellence by running surveys and analyzing benchmarks
Achieve highest mystery shopping scores consistently when introduced
To effectively communicate with the Management, retail staff, and other Brand personnel, cascading information as relevant.
To represent the business and communicate externally as required.
To promote a customer care approach within the retail business, investigating complaints or issues of poor customer care, both timely and efficiently.
To maintain and develop beneficial working relationships with other departments to further the organization’s objectives, including appropriate attendance at Management Team meetings and other forums.

Other Responsibilties
Coordinate and maintain good relationships with the landlord, mall management and be involved with the various activities and promotions of the Mall and inform the Marketing department of the same.
To undertake all mandatory training as required by the brand and participate in appropriate in-service training as and when required.
Maintaining the strict confidentiality of all information acquired especially with regards to customer and staff.
To manage and ensure a strong communications network with the aim of developing effective working relationships.
To take responsibility for being up to date with current policies and procedures and to adhere to these.
Co-operating fully in the introduction of any new technology and new methods as appropriate.
To undertake any other relevant duties within the overall scope of this post as may be requested by the management
Ensure advertising and promotion program is appropriate.
Smooth execution of various marketing plans & events like DSF, DSS, Flash/Super Sales Etc.
Developing relations with internal & external vendors to ensure adequate support when required

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications/Experience/Knowledge/Skills
Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Business, Marketing or related studies

Experience

– 7 to 10 years of retail experience of which minimum 3 years should be managing multiple stores operationally

Knowledge/Skills
Excellent report, organizational, networking, leadership and analytical skills
Ability to handle pressure
Active and detail oriented
Performance and achievement driven
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Business Acumen