Retail Area Manager, Germany/Austria (m/f/d)

As an Area Manager you will own and ensure all stores within the area adhere to operational policies and best practices, through store visits and consistent execution of audits on site. Utilising store results to drive corrective action planning and work with Store Management to deliver continual improvements, alongside supporting the Head of Retail with administrative tasks and projects to improve performance of the stores and the business. As a brand ambassador, you will drive team performance and create a working culture that embraces New Balance values in a fast paced and energetic environment. MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Full ownership of instore Operational Game plan execution across your respective stores.
• Lead, guide and inspire teams throughout the area through regular feedback, coaching and celebrating success.
• Take full responsibility for mystery shop action plans, ensuring the Head of Retail has regular feedback on progress and improvement plans.
• Stocktake attendance and spot checking to drive best practice across stores and provide post-stocktake action planning reports regularly to the Retail Regional Manager.
• Actively drive KPI’s such as sales, UPT, ATV and conversion through regular commercial report usage and walkthroughs at store level with the SM & ASM.
• Provide cash and loss prevention support to all stores, including regular reviews of G4S collections, petty cash management, reviewing floats prior to business peaks and reporting any financial losses in a timely, effective manner.
• Monitor and manage controllable costs in all stores, including items such as stationary, essential back of house items, minor repairs, and maintenance
• Assist the Head of Retail in profit & loss analysis and feeding back any recommendations in a timely fashion.
• Publishing of all monthly audit results into the Retail Portal.
• Oversee store HR operations - recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, payroll, performance management, holiday tracking, training, and development of the store team.
• UK/EMEA based travel may be required.
• Perform all other duties as required, always driving operational excellence.

• Note: The Area Manager will be required to have an existing, valid driving license for the EU. This person will ideally be based in Germany.
• Fluency in English with strong written and verbal communication skills, additional languages will be advantageous.
• Proven Retail Management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve sales targets/budgets.
• Proven people management and leadership skills.
• Experience in coaching, driving, and developing a team.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Quality focused with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to organise and manage projects effectively.
• Proficiency with MS Excel and retail software.
• Commercially aware of the retail market/consumer trends.
• Experienced in working in a stand-alone role – autonomous and comfortable being remotely managed.
• Flexible work schedule includes weekends and holidays.
• A great team player.
• Valid EU driving license.