Area Retail Manager - Southwest
6 days ago
West Wickham
Wynnstay Group is seeking a commercially focused and people-driven Area Retail Manager to lead the performance, operations, and development of a group of stores within a designated region. This role offers the opportunity to operate your area as your own business unit, taking ownership of commercial performance, operational standards, customer experience, compliance, and people development. You will work closely with Store Managers to drive profitable growth, maintain exceptional standards, and create a high-performing culture across your region. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced multi-site leader who thrives on accountability, enjoys developing future talent, and has the commercial acumen to identify opportunities, solve challenges, and deliver sustainable results. Acting as the link between strategy and operational execution, you will play a key role in shaping the future success of Wynnstay's retail network Responsibilities: • Take ownership of sales, margin, profitability, and growth performance across your assigned stores., • Drive effective stock management, waste reduction, and working capital control to protect profitability., • Analyse trading performance, customer trends, and operational data to identify opportunities and mitigate risks., • Ensure Store Managers across the area are fully accountable for delivering the agreed commercial and operational KPIs, • Lead, coach, and develop Store Managers and their teams, driving performance, succession planning, and future leadership capability across the region., • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and ownership., • Ensure consistent implementation of operational standards, retail processes, and company procedures across all stores., • Drive operational efficiency, productivity, and cost control throughout the region., • Identify and implement innovative ways of working, technologies, and operational improvements that enhance business performance and customer experience., • Champion a customer-first culture and ensure teams deliver exceptional service at every opportunity., • Monitor customer feedback and implement actions that improve satisfaction and loyalty., • Ensure all stores operate in line with company policies, legal obligations, health & safety requirements, and regulatory standards, promoting a strong culture of compliance and safe working practices., • Support audits, investigations, and corrective action plans where required., • Work closely with commercial, operations, procurement, People & Culture, marketing, and support functions to deliver business objectives., • Act as a key communication link between stores and senior leadership teams., • Lead and support change initiatives across the region., • Promote high standards of operational discipline, hygiene, and store presentation., • Travel regularly across the store network to support and develop teams. What we’re looking for: Essential: • Proven leadership experience within a multi-site retail, trade, agricultural, or operational environment., • Strong commercial acumen with the ability to drive sales, profitability, and operational performance., • Experience leading and developing high-performing teams across multiple locations., • Demonstrable experience managing KPIs, budgets, stock, margins, and business performance., • Strong decision-making skills with the confidence to operate independently and take ownership., • Excellent communication, coaching, and influencing skills., • Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational leadership., • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to use data to drive decisions., • Experience leading change, managing performance, and implementing operational improvements., • Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel extensively. Benefits: Competitive salary Company vehicle Employee Assistance Programme with BUPA Company profit related pay schemeLife Assurance x2 Salary 25 days’ annual leave plus UK bank holidays Employee discount at Wynnstay Stores Opportunity to join a supportive, values-led organisation with a turnover of £613 million and over 900 colleagues nationwide