Area Manager in Kingston upon Thames

At Crew Clothing, we believe clothes are about so much more than “just clothes”. Designed with the spirit of the south coast in every stitch, our crossed oars are a mark of timeless British style. These are clothes for life’s best moments. We believe in collaboration, kindness and creativity, in celebrating our successes and championing our customer at every step of the way. From ’93 to now, people have been at the heart of everything we do. It’s in our name – Crew.

Purpose Of The Role

The purpose of the Area Manager role is to manage the daily operations across multiple retail stores, and deputise for Heads of Retail when appropriate. The Area Manager is responsible for implementing a strategic plan to drive sales and service standards whilst maintaining operational efficiency across multiple stores. The role involves recruitment, retention and development to build a co‑operative team in each store; leading each Crew team to drive improvement across service, visual and operational standards.

Responsibilities

• Commercial
  • Implement a strategic plan to improve performance across multiple retail stores.
  • Thorough review of each store’s P&L, taking action to improve results.
  • Maximise sales through a consistent approach to service and selling across all stores.
  • Efficiently approach operational activity across multiple stores to reduce costs.
  • Review staffing and payroll costs to drive improvement in CTS across stores.
• Customer/Brand/VM
  • Culture of a service‑first approach across all stores.
  • Ensure brand visual standards are an integral part of day‑to‑day running – from stock management to maintenance of the shop floor.
  • Ensure efficient use of scheduling across multiple stores to drive a consistent approach to service.
  • Have a full understanding of customer profile across multiple stores, ensuring teams deliver a consistent level of service.
  • Review and observe team engagement with customers – suggesting areas of improvement.
  • Act as a service ambassador when visiting each store – leading by example.
  • Review marketing activity and local events to engage with the local customer.
• Team
  • Lead by example to ensure teams reflect Crew brand values and behaviours.
  • Proactively approach recruitment, actively seeking new talent to bring into the business.
  • Recruit the best talent into stores, ensuring we retain and develop teams to drive internal succession across stores.
  • Ensure training and development are consistent across stores.
  • Thoroughly review team performance and maintain a cluster talent map, ensuring we have future talent in the business.
  • Perform performance reviews – ensuring teams receive appraisals as per company procedure.
  • PDPs are in place to retain and succession‑plan while addressing performance concerns.
  • Schedule – cross‑reference multiple store schedules ensuring right people, right place, right time and a consistent approach to team structure across stores.
• Operations
  • Maintain an efficient and consistent approach to all store operations.
  • Suggest areas for improvement across cluster and wider business.
  • Maintenance – thoroughly review store to ensure any issues reported appropriately.
  • BOH – maintain consistent standards – cleaning and stock management.
  • Replenishment – implement and maintain an effective stock management process across stores.
  • Effective use of business tools across all stores to drive consistency and efficiency.

Key Skills & Experience

• Sound commercial acumen – evidence of driving sales turnover of £1m+ whilst maintaining cost control.
• Sales‑ and target‑driven – ability to benchmark against company performance.
• Customer‑first approach.
• Excellent VM standards used to support area approach to VM.
• Evidence of developing team structures and succession planning.
• Excellent communication skills with team, peers and stakeholders.

Skills Retail Management.