Area Manager - Fashion Brand

The Retail Partnership Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing fashion brand in Manchester is looking for an Area Manager to lead and scale their retail estate. This role involves executing retail strategies to drive growth, managing budgets and performance across multiple locations, and ensuring operational excellence. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in multi-site retail leadership, with a passion for fitness or outdoor culture. This position offers a chance to influence store performance and develop high-performing teams.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in multi-site retail leadership, ideally within apparel or lifestyle sectors.
• Strong commercial acumen with proven ownership of budgets and P&L.
• Ability to lead, develop, and retain high-performing retail teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute retail strategy to drive profitable growth across all store locations.
• Manage retail P&L, forecasting, and budgets to improve commercial outcomes.
• Ensure compliance, stock accuracy, and process consistency across stores.

Skills

Multi-site retail leadership

Commercial acumen

Team leadership

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an Area Manager to join a rapidly growing fashion brand specialising in performance-led apparel. This role is responsible for leading and scaling a developing physical retail estate, delivering best-in-class in-store experiences while driving commercial performance across multiple locations.

Based between the Manchester head office and physical store locations, this role will suit a strong retail leader looking to further their career within a successful and ambitious brand.

Main Responsibilities Will Include:

• Lead and execute the retail strategy to drive profitable growth across all store locations
• Own multi-store performance, including sales, conversion, average order value, and cost control
• Manage retail P&L, forecasting, and budgets, identifying opportunities to improve commercial outcomes
• Deliver operational excellence across stores, ensuring compliance, stock accuracy, and process consistency
• Develop and maintain a high-impact visual merchandising strategy aligned with brand standards
• Build, coach, and inspire high-performing store management teams through strong leadership and training
• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, e‑commerce, product, HR, and external retail partners to maximise performance and brand presence

Person Specification:

• Extensive experience in multi‑site retail leadership, ideally within apparel, fitness, outdoor, or lifestyle sectors
• Strong commercial acumen with proven ownership of budgets and P&L
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and retain high‑performing retail teams
• Passion for fitness, training, or outdoor culture, with an authentic understanding of the customer
• Excellent communication, influencing, and problem‑solving skills
• Experience supporting store growth, new openings, or expansion projects (desirable)