Retail Area Manager, South UK

New Balance Athletic Shoes (UK) Limited; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

New Balance Athletic Shoes (UK) Limited is seeking an Area Manager to lead a defined group of stores in the UK. You will be accountable for commercial performance, operational excellence and people leadership, reporting to the Head of Retail for the territory.

Expect regular store visits, strong field presence and a focus on delivering KPI performance and customer standards. You will drive store execution, coach Store Managers, manage audits and stock processes, and collaborate with

Qualifications

• Experience in retail management within multi-store or area management.
• Proven track record of delivering sales targets and KPIs.
• Leadership experience coaching Store Managers and teams.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive store performance across your Area against KPIs including sales, conversion, UPT and margin drivers.
• Ensure execution of New Balance standards and conduct regular store audits and post-audit actions.
• Support loss prevention, cost control and cash handling processes.
• Lead, coach and develop Store Managers; build leadership capability and succession pipelines.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, VM and Operations; travel within the EMEA region as required.

Skills

Retail management

People leadership

Analytical skills

MS Excel

Retail systems

Strong communication

Autonomous field-based work

Tools

MS Excel

Retail systems

Job description

Who We Are

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

Location

Ideally based near one of the stores in the Southern part of the UK.

Reporting To

Head of Retail for the territory.

Direct Reports

Store Managers (across a defined number of stores).

Job Mission

As an Area Manager, you are accountable for the commercial performance, operational excellence and people leadership across a defined group of New Balance stores within your Area. Reporting directly to the Head of Retail for the territory, you act as the key link between store execution and regional strategy. You ensure consistent execution of New Balance retail standards, drive KPI performance, develop Store Managers and teams, and identify opportunities for continuous performance improvement. You are a visible leader in-store, a strong operational partner, and a brand ambassador who role-models New Balance values at all times. The role requires a high level of autonomy, strong field presence and frequent store visits, typically spending 4-5 days per week in stores, depending on business needs.

Major Accountabilities

• Commercial Performance & KPI Delivery: Own and drive store performance across your Area against agreed KPIs including sales, conversion, UPT, ATV/AOV, productivity and margin drivers. Use commercial reports, walkthroughs and dashboard insights to identify risks and opportunities. Partner with Store Managers to build and execute robust action plans that improve performance. Provide timely, structured performance updates and insights to the Head of Retail for area.
• Operational Excellence & Compliance: Ensure full and consistent execution of all New Balance operational standards. Conduct regular store audits, follow up on findings, and ensure corrective actions are completed on time. Own mystery shop results and action plans, driving sustained improvements in service and customer experience. Attend and support stocktakes, perform spot checks, and deliver post-stocktake action plans.
• Loss Prevention & Cost Control: Support Store Managers in loss prevention best practices, cash handling and security procedures. Review cash collections, petty cash, store floats and cash management processes. Monitor shrinkage results, investigate variances, and elevate risks appropriately. Manage controllable in-store costs with strong cost discipline.
• People Leadership & Talent Development: Lead, coach and develop Store Managers through regular feedback, in-store coaching and performance reviews. Build strong store leadership capability and succession pipelines within the Area. Oversee store-level HR activities including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, payroll accuracy, holiday planning, training and development. Foster a high-performance, inclusive culture aligned with New Balance values.
• Stakeholder & Regional Collaboration: Act as the primary operational contact for stores within your Area. Support the Head of Retail S/N/C through accurate reporting, project support and ad-hoc analysis where required. Collaborate with cross-functional partners (HR, Finance, VM, Operations) to support effective store execution. Travel within the EMEA region as required to support business priorities.

Requirements for Success

• Experience & Capability: Proven experience in retail management within multi-store or area management. Strong track record of delivering sales targets and operational KPIs. Demonstrated people leadership experience, including coaching and developing Store Managers. Solid understanding of retail operations, audits, shrinkage and cost control.
• Skills & Attributes: Strong commercial acumen and analytical skills. Ability to prioritise, plan and manage multiple stores effectively. High attention to detail with a continuous improvement mindset. Comfortable working autonomously in a field-based, remotely managed role. Strong communication skills with the ability to present, influence and engage teams. Proficient in MS Excel and retail systems.
• Additional Requirements: Fluent in English. Flexible availability, including weekends and peak trading periods. High mobility within the assigned Area and region. Valid EU driving license (mandatory).

Equal Opportunity Employer

New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment. We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion. If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required. At New Balance, our job is to aid athletes in their pursuit of excellence, whether that means helping professional athletes set records and win medals, or propelling everyday athletes to achieve a new PR, run their first 5K or just to live a more healthy and active lifestyle. Our products are the perfect blend of function and fashion, giving you the performance technology you need and the style you want. Our associates around the world bring these goals to life with their high-level skills and creativity. While we offer the best product on the market, we’re also equally committed to giving back. So while we look to succeed, we believe in ensuring others have the same opportunity.