The Definitive Guide: How To Become An Area Manager

Are you ready to take your management position to the next level? The next stage for you is to become an area manager and oversee a whole range of stores within a region. You’ll need to be hard working, responsible and have a never- give-up attitude to make it as a successful area manager.

What is an Area Manager?

• Job Description

  This job comes with a lot of responsibility. You will be setting targets and working with a number of store managers across your allocated area, with the aim to improve sales and profitability. You will be accountable for the success of the stores that you are managing. This can be a very stressful job role at times and you will need to work hard but it is also rewarding. You could be working in retail, in a cinema, a restaurant or anywhere else that has a large chain of stores.
  
  You will usually need a few years’ experience of working as a store manager before progressing to an area manager.

• Hours of Work

  You will be expected to work long and flexible hours in this job role, usually over 40 hours per week. This isn’t your regular office job; you’ll be kept on your toes and will be expected to travel between stores from time to time.

• Main Responsibilities

  So, what will your main responsibilities be as an Area Manager?
  
  Duties typically include:

  • Setting objectives and sales targets for each store
  • Evaluate staff performance
  • Lead a team of store managers
  • Report to senior managers
  • Provide training and development
  • Work towards maximising sales and profitability across the region
  • Deal with problems within your area

Key Area Manager qualifications

Do you have the qualifications to get the job

It is beneficial to have a degree, but it is not essential. Here is a list of qualifications that will look great on your CV:

• Degree in Business Management or Marketing
• CMI Level 5 in Management and Leadership
• CMI Level 8 in Strategic Direction and Leadership
• CMI apprenticeship – Chartered manager degree

How to become an Area Manager

Now that you know what an Area Manager does, how do you become one?

There are many different routes you can take when pursuing this career. Of course, you can’t step straight out of education and walk into a management role. You’ll have to gain experience in your desired industry.

• There are many apprenticeships out there of all different levels. You could either begin your apprenticeship straight after completing your GCSE’s, or if you are looking for a higher-level apprenticeship, you could look into completing the CMI apprenticeship – chartered manager degree. This takes 4 years and you will need to have A levels under your belt. You will get a degree whilst learning on the job - an employers dream!

• If you have already graduated from a degree, you could look online for management graduate schemes. This could offer a fast track to area manager, many companies will train you for a year before giving you full responsibility of a range of stores.

• You could be lucky enough to simply climb the ladder. Hard work shows, and you could find yourself progressing from customer service assistant, to team leader, to supervisor and so on. You will need to take additional training on the way up but progressing to manager and then area manager is not unheard of.

How to develop your Area Manager career

You can develop your career by continuing to learn and take courses in order to improve your leadership skills.

You will see that you are achieving more and becoming more successful over time. If you are ready for a change and want a more challenging role, why not apply to work for a larger brand, where you may be responsible for even more stores.

Career Opportunities

• You can find some of the best Area Manager roles with brands such as Everyone Active, Greggs, Timothy Taylor's and many more.

Other Definitive Guides by Leisurejobs

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