Area Manager

Acosta Group; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Premium Retail Services, LLC invites applications for an Area Manager to lead a team of Retail Service Merchandisers/Lead Merchandisers across a geographic region.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with strong organizational and communication skills, capable of hiring, training, and developing staff while ensuring projects are completed on time and to high standards. This role involves periodic field work and close collaboration with store personnel and clients.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of management and/or supervisory experience.
• Prior sales agent, retail, customer service, or reset experience preferred.
• High School diploma or equivalent required.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective leadership and management to the Retail Service Merchandiser/Lead Merchandiser team.
• Interview, hire, onboard, train new associates, and manage performance.
• Coordinate project work, ensure on-time delivery and high quality results.
• Build relationships with store personnel and clients to ensure merchandising excellence.
• Use web-based tools to manage work, documentation, and reporting.
• Support Market Manager with observations and business solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Team management

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

Description

The Area Manager is responsible for the management and development of a group of Retail Service Merchandisers/Lead Merchandisers, and for representing the company, our clients, and our customers by effectively supervising and managing project work. The ideal candidate is a self‑starter, quick learner, has a strong attention to detail, and is effective at leading and managing a geographically distributed team. They must possess excellent organizational skills, strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships with business partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective leadership and management to the Retail Service Merchandiser/Lead Merchandiser team in the assigned geographic area by interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training new associates, managing performance and career development, managing conflict and personnel issues, and providing coaching and support.
• Develop a strong understanding of the company’s business model, clients and customer details and expectations, and the specific details of project work processes. Work in the field periodically to better understand project requirements. Provide backup support for project work as needed.
• Manage assigned project work to completion, on time, and with high quality results. Review project details to verify schedule is accurate and achievable, and supporting documentation is current and correct. Assign project work to Retail Service Merchandisers/Lead Merchandisers and ensure all jobs have the appropriate level of support. Monitor progress and audit project work. Answer questions, solve problems, resolve personnel issues, and adjust resources as needed. Ensure delivery of all materials, supplies and equipment necessary.
• Partner with store personnel and team to achieve and maintain merchandising excellence, discuss schedules and changes, meet goals and expectations, and build an effective working relationship. Be proactive in alerting management to any unsafe act or condition to prevent injuries.
• Report and discuss observations, issues, and business solutions with Market Manager.
• Effectively and accurately work with web‑based applications to receive notification of project work, review work documentation, maintain profiles, assign project work, monitor progress and status, record and manage mileage, expenses, time and attendance, and complete training activities. Utilize the company’s retail reports and reporting systems.
• Effectively and accurately prepare, process, submit, and manage documentation related to assigned project work and Retail Service Merchandiser/Lead Merchandiser team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• 2+ years of management and/or supervisory experience.
• Prior sales agent, retail, customer service, or reset experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, decision‑making, and leadership skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work effectively in web‑based applications and email, word processing, and spreadsheet applications.

Physical Requirements

• Sit for extended periods (typically 6+ hours per day).
• Use a computer, including keyboard and mouse, for prolonged periods.
• Lighter items (e.g., files, office supplies, laptops) up to 20+ pounds.
• Reach, bend, or stoop occasionally to access files or office materials.
• Maintain focus and attention for long periods of desk‑based work.
• Follow clear directions.
• Perform repetitive motions (e.g., typing, clicking) consistently throughout the day.

About Us

Premium Retail Services is a part of Acosta Group – a collective of the industry’s most trusted retail, marketing and foodservice agencies reimagining the way people connect with brands at every point in their shopping journey. Since 1985, Premium has been a top provider of sales and merchandising services, reshaping retail through innovation and excellence for hundreds of renowned brands across retail categories. With 12,000+ employees across the U.S. and Canada, we are a people‑first company, and we strive to ensure our team members enjoy their jobs, feel valued, and emulate our core beliefs – that’s why we frequently promote from within.

Equal Opportunity

Acosta Group is an equal opportunity employer and will ensure that applicants with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [e-mail]. Be sure to include “Applicant Accommodation” in the subject of your email to expedite the request. Acosta Group believes in good faith that the minimum and maximum annual salary or hourly compensation range for this opportunity is accurate and reasonable at the time of posting. The Acosta Group utilizes E-Verify for validating the ability to work in the United States for all job candidates. For more information on what this entails and your rights as a job applicant, please use the link provided to access information on our use of E-Verify and your right to work. Employer Resources (e-verify.gov). By applying, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions of Use.

Job Details

• Job Category: Retail
• Position Type: Full time
• Business Unit: Sales
• Salary Range: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00
• Company: Premium Retail Services, LLC
• Req ID: 33105