Area Manager

Keystone Apparel Company (Pty) Ltd; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in Gauteng seeks a proficient leader to manage multiple Timberland branded outlets. Responsibilities include performance management, sales planning, and team development. Candidates should demonstrate strong leadership and analytical skills, with a focus on compliance and customer service to drive brand success in a competitive market.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing retail teams required.
• Strong analytical skills for market assessments.
• Ability to develop and implement sales strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage retail outlets in Gauteng.
• Develop performance objectives for retail management.
• Ensure compliance with company standards.

Skills

Leadership

Performance Management

Sales Planning

Customer Service

Market Analysis

Job description

Leadership and Performance Management

• Manage trade and performance of prime location Timberland branded retail outlets across Gauteng.
• Actively lead the retail management team of individual sites in developing strategic business objectives.
• Provide strong and focused leadership to ensure the retail culture features: co-operative, responsive, results-oriented, and highly competitive.
• Build and manage a motivated and professional team capable of meeting the demands of a fast-paced, challenging environment, while ensuring the site meets financial, production, customer service, and quality standards.
• Coach and develop junior managers to effectively manage their teams.
• Set and communicate retail standards across the business.

Sales Planning and Measurement

• Compile the Region POE.
• Maintain industry best practices to enhance sell-out.
• Display in-depth commercial understanding, including competitor activity, with SWOT analysis reports for each store (monthly submission, first week).
• Manage field activity reports, providing actionable insights to the buying and planning teams to grow market share and enhance brand equity.
• Prepare visual checklists with photos as PowerPoint presentations, including suggestions for improving VM standards aligned with stock densification (weekly submission).
• Recommend promotional plans to drive sell-out in the region.
• Manage the weekly sales planner, documenting commitments and reviewing sales performance against targets.
• Conduct a minimum of 2 training sessions weekly, documenting minutes.
• Furnish a mid-month action plan based on sales projections.
• Handle customer complaints with a 24-hour turnaround time.
• Promote cross-store/area networks to achieve consistency.
• Set targets for direct reports using the business model.
• Develop clear action plans for departmental targets, including resources and budgets.
• Build and maintain a customer database, emphasizing customer experience in this competitive market.
• Develop and maintain store visit schedules.
• Plan daily, weekly, and monthly objectives.
• Identify, prioritize, and track market potential opportunities.
• Ensure daily objectives are planned and achieved.
• Manage area profitability in collaboration with Operations.

Sales Administration & Corporate Compliance

• Ensure compliance with government and group standards.
• Manage store operations administration in line with company expectations.
• Oversee risk management within the business unit.
• Respond to internal audit findings and follow instructions from the Internal Risk Officer.
• Manage headcount across sites.
• Complete and submit reports on time.
• Manage underperforming sectors through performance management.
• Develop competencies and transfer skills as part of the area development strategy.
• Manage ER and HR processes.
• Facilitate 360 feedback sessions to evaluate area manager performance.
• Focus on staff and store manager development.
• Ensure equipment functionality and effective communication with suppliers.
• Maintain effective communication with landlords.
• Resolve landlord, customer, and regional office queries promptly.
• Manage individual site demands, especially outside business hours and seasonal peaks.
• Participate as a nominated health and safety field committee member.
• Attend quarterly health and safety meetings with Operations.
• Assist during DOL/OHS inspections.
• Maintain daily, weekly, and monthly OHS trackers.

Opportunity Assessment and Market Competitiveness

• Manage inventory, supplies, and budgets for all 7 stores.
• Analyze and interpret trends for planning purposes.
• Conduct market potential studies by sales area.
• Generate insights from data analysis and take appropriate actions.
• Identify and address volume, market share, and in-trade execution gaps.
• Monitor competitor activity and report findings.
• Ascertain customer needs and plan accordingly.
• Optimize third-party relationships.
• Maintain the company's corporate image.
• Conduct customer service surveys.