Area Manager - VIC/TAS

Colonial Group; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Group is seeking an Area Manager to lead store operations across Victoria and Tasmania. You will coach Store Managers, drive regional sales growth, manage budgets, and uphold customer service standards, ensuring profitability and compliance with company policies.

The role requires extensive travel between stores, deep financial acumen, and a track record of building high-performing teams within a large retail network.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in retail management.
• Proven experience managing multiple retail locations.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills.
• Demonstrated ability to drive sales and operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop Store Managers and their teams.
• Conduct regular store visits, coaching sessions, and performance reviews.
• Support recruitment, succession planning, and talent development initiatives.
• Ensure performance management processes are implemented consistently and fairly.

Skills

Retail management

Multi-store leadership

Sales & profitability

KPI reporting

Communication

Travel readiness

Job description

Purpose of the Role

To lead and develop store operations across Victoria and Tasmania, ensuring that all stores achieve financial targets, provide outstanding customer service, maintain operational excellence, and deliver a consistent Lowes customer experience while supporting the growth and success of the business.

Position Summary

The Area Manager is responsible for the overall operational, financial, and people performance of all Lowes stores within Victoria and Tasmania. This role provides leadership, coaching, and support to Store Managers to ensure stores achieve sales targets, maximise profitability, deliver exceptional customer service, and operate in accordance with company standards and policies.

The Area Manager plays a key role in driving business growth, developing talent, maintaining operational excellence, and reinforcing the company’s culture and values across the region.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Financial Performance

• Drive sales growth and profitability across all stores within the assigned region.
• Ensure stores achieve budgeted sales, wage, and profit targets.
• Analyse sales and operational reports and implement strategies to improve performance.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue, improve productivity, and reduce costs.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and develop corrective action plans where required.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, motivate, and develop Store Managers and their teams.
• Conduct regular store visits, coaching sessions, and performance reviews.
• Support recruitment, succession planning, and talent development initiatives.
• Ensure performance management processes are implemented consistently and fairly.
• Foster a positive, engaged, and high-performing workplace culture.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure stores operate in accordance with company policies, procedures, and operational standards.
• Maintain high standards of presentation, merchandising, stock management, and housekeeping.
• Monitor labour productivity and wage expenditure.
• Ensure stores are appropriately staffed to meet business requirements.

Customer Experience

• Promote and maintain a customer-focused culture throughout the region.
• Ensure consistent delivery of excellent customer service across all stores.
• Review customer feedback and implement initiatives to improve customer satisfaction.
• Support Store Managers in resolving complex customer issues.

Merchandising & Inventory Management

• Ensure visual merchandising standards are consistently executed.
• Monitor stock availability, stock accuracy, and inventory controls.
• Work closely with Store Managers to minimise stock loss and shrinkage.
• Support the implementation of promotional events, seasonal launches, and company initiatives.

Compliance, Safety & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all company policies, procedures, and legislative requirements.
• Promote and maintain a safe working environment across all stores.
• Ensure compliance with Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) standards.
• Conduct regular store audits and compliance reviews.
• Investigate and manage operational risks, incidents, and compliance breaches.

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary link between Head Office and store operations.
• Communicate company strategies, initiatives, and priorities to Store Managers.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Finance, Merchandise, and Operations teams.
• Provide regular reporting and feedback on regional performance.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Regional sales growth
• Profitability performance
• Achievement of store budgets
• Wage cost management
• Customer satisfaction results
• Employee engagement and retention
• Compliance and safety audit outcomes
• Stock loss and shrinkage results
• Training and development completion rates

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in retail management.
• Proven experience managing multiple retail locations.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills.
• Demonstrated ability to drive sales and operational performance.
• Sound understanding of retail financial management and KPI reporting.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Current Driver’s Licence and willingness to travel extensively throughout Victoria and Tasmania.

Desirable

• Experience within apparel, fashion, or specialty retail.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed teams.
• Knowledge of workforce planning, recruitment, and employee development.
• Experience working within a large multi-site retail environment.

Core Competencies

• Leadership and Team Development
• Commercial Acumen
• Customer Focus
• Strategic Thinking
• Performance Management
• Financial Awareness
• Communication and Influence
• Accountability
• Decision Making
• Change Management

Working Conditions

• Frequent travel throughout Victoria and Tasmania.
• Regular store visits and regional meetings.
• Occasional interstate travel as required.
• Flexibility to work additional hours when business needs require.