Retail Area Manager

To ensure the implementation of the Company’s policies and procedures in respect of a predetermined region of company owned stations. This is a field based position which will cover sites across the North of the UK & Scotland areas. Candidates must be based in the Huddersfield Area, or between Leeds & Manchester with direct access to the M62. Extensive travel and overnight stays are likely to be frequent, as this position is to provide cover in areas across the North Region.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Ensuring that all stations are operated in accordance with the Company’s Health & Safety policies to create a safe environment for staff and customers.
• To collate, investigate and communicate any incident information in line with internal procedures.
• Managing communications in line with company policy – in relation to external agencies, for example – The Press.
• Ensuring the security of company property.
• Conducting monthly fuel audits at each station to ensure the correct payments of monies and security of the Company’s fuel stocks.
• To regularly review the Shop, Forecourt and Food Services at each station to ensure they are operating in line with the Company’s policies and procedures, and to their maximum potential and flag any issues with appropriate management as required.
• Managing and monitoring the performance of Contract Managers and staff at each station and ensure that good customer practice is carried out consistently.
• Ensuring each station is applying the correct fuel retail prices as instructed from time to time so as to maximise fuel profit margins.
• To select, submit for finance approval, train and install and, where necessary, serve notice to, Contract Managers to ensure that each station has a suitable Contract Manager in place at all times.
• Monitoring training compliance across the estate, to include all stakeholders.
• Liaising with the nominated shop supplier to ensure effective and correctly merchandised promotional activity, within the shop and forecourt to maximise sales and increase customer base.
• Liaising with the Area Manager for the nominated shop supplier to monitor and review the product range at each station with a view to increasing turnover and profitability.
• To build relationships with the company’s nominated direct supply partners and ensure that products are merchandised and promoted effectively with each station, and availability is maintained in order to maximise sales.
• Maintaining compliance with planograms and range as agreed with the company’s nominated suppliers to protect company income.
• Liaising with representatives of the company’s fuel supply partners in order to maintain brand standards and effectively promote the relevant loyalty schemes operated by each fuel supplier.
• Ensuring the proper management of promotions and correct merchandising of displays, to include Third party agreed fuel promotions.
• To monitor and review Company expenditure for each relevant station and area, to ensure the accurate recording of information and to identify areas of improvement.
• Ensuring that each Contract Manager operates within the terms of the Contract Manager Agreement and appropriate associated agreements.
• Handling complaints from customers and ensure satisfactory follow up with the customer and any necessary re-training requirements are completed.
• Liaising with outside contractors to establish and manage all maintenance issues as well as monitoring all equipment downtime.
• Maintaining company income and expenditure to agreed budget targets.
• To support and carry out duties as instructed from time to time from the relevant line manager(s).

DIMENSIONS

• Each ARM is responsible for the overall profitability of between 16 and 22 company owned stations with total sums per annum in relevant magnitudes as follows:

• Operating costs: between £2.2m and £4.2m
• Shop income: between £250k and £700k
• Fuel income: between £4.5m and £10.0m
• Valeting income: between £120k and £280k

Each company owned station will be operated by an independent ‘Contract Manager’ who will employ, on average, around eight members of staff. This is a field-based position, where the ARM operates a given area which may be subject to change. Duties may require nights away from home to carry out area duties and attend meetings. ARM’s are required to communicate with nominated suppliers and various third parties as and when required.

WORK CONTEXT

Petrol stations operating in a highly competitive ‘price driven’ market dominated by the supermarkets and major oil companies. Ensure all Contract Managers have relevant and valid agreements in place. Ensure all Contract Managers complete all required duties within the stated timescales and submit returns promptly and accurately.

ORGANISATION

To ensure Contract Managers operate within the terms of the Contract Manager Agreement and associated agreements.

COMMUNICATIONS

• To supervise, give guidance and motivate Contract Managers through the use of station reviews and audits to enable them to promote a successful business.
• To carry out subsequent visits as and when necessary to monitor progress.
• Superiors have daily contact by phone and email, regular joint area visits and monthly one to one meetings with the Regional Manager.
• Contact the Regional Manager at any time for advice on any day to day operational and other issues.
• Other Contacts Within the Company: Liaise with all relevant head office departments as and when necessary in order to resolve any operational or other issues.
• Outside the Company: Liaise with MFG’s retail suppliers and partners to develop and establish the joint business plans and deliver brand standards.
• To liaise with fuel suppliers and ensure delivery procedures are adhered to.
• To liaise with Petroleum Officers, Environmental Health Officers, Fairbanks, Licensing and other officials where necessary.
• To visit competitors to keep abreast of their activity.

COMPLEXITY

To operate effectively and efficiently to achieve given objectives within given time deadlines. To have competent, well trained Contract Managers and staff in all stations paying the appropriate charges. To have a positive productive relationship with all relevant Contract Managers and station staff.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• A proven track record in the forecourt and/or retail sector, ideally experience of a contract management/franchise business model.
• High self-motivation and discipline with ability to work demanding hours and prioritise duties.
• Good people skills with the ability to build effective relationships, inspire, motivate and lead.
• A good level of numeracy and attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn and take on additional responsibilities.
• Good team player.
• Mileage likely to exceed 40,000 miles per year.