Area Manager - South

The Area Manager (AM) is responsible for driving retail sales, leading store teams to achieve KPIs, and executing brand and commercial strategies across the KENDO portfolio in the UK. Through hands-on in-store leadership, sales coaching, and team development, the AM ensures high retail performance, strong brand presence, and exceptional service delivery. The AM collaborates closely with the Retail Education Manager (REM) to ensure that retail teams receive balanced support and are motivated, inspired, and consistently representing the KENDO DNA. The AM builds strong relationships with retail partners across Department Stores and other key accounts, ensuring consistent communication, alignment on priorities, and flawless execution of launches, events, and commercial plans. Regular travel across the UK is required to support team engagement and elevate performance door-by-door.

Job Responsibilities

• Drive sales performance across the territory, building strong relationships with store and counter leadership.
• Identify opportunities within each door and work with the NSEM to create and execute growth-focused business plans.
• Lead by example in-store, role-modelling best-in-class selling behaviours, client service, and commercial decision-making.
• Support retail events aligned with the marketing calendar to drive traffic, conversion, and brand awareness.
• Ensure merchandising and brand presentation standards are upheld, raising any potential stock or VM issues promptly.
• Maintain a strong door-by-door focus to understand successes, gaps, and strategic priorities.
• Deliver coaching on sales, service behaviours, product storytelling, and daily execution to elevate store performance.
• Coordinate new starter training with the Education department to ensure smooth onboarding.
• Partner with Business/Counter Managers to plan commercial events and support the execution of launches and promotions.
• Collaborate with the Retail Education Manager to ensure teams receive the right artistry support appropriate to store needs.
• Coach and motivate teams to maintain enthusiasm for makeup, brand identity, and customer experience.
• Build and develop strong, collaborative relationships with retail partners.
• Maintain regular communication and feedback loops with store management, ensuring full alignment on performance, priorities, staffing needs, and operational requirements.
• Provide excellent and professional customer service to all internal and external partners.
• Share business needs, challenges, and opportunities with the Sales Manager and wider KENDO team to enable proactive problem-solving.
• Promote best practices in sales execution, team communication, and event activation across all locations.
• Submit weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports detailing area performance trends, insights, commercial results, and recommendations.
• Coach and develop retail teams through regular in-store visits, focused 1:1 coaching, and performance development conversations.
• Support Business/Counter Managers in building strong teams who deliver consistent commercial and service excellence.
• Recognise achievements and provide clear, actionable coaching to drive continuous improvement.
• Share best practices with Area peers to elevate total-field performance.
• Lead the annual development process with retail teams, agreeing scores with the NSEM.
• Maintain a professional, polished appearance in line with company standards, reflecting brand identity and makeup focus.
• Work within company expense guidelines and follow all operational procedures.
• Travel up to 50% of the time to support stores across the territory – min 3 days per week in the field.
• Oversee Time & Attendance compliance with Business/Counter Managers.
• Ensure timely submission of commission and T&A information to payroll.
• Perform additional duties as required, based on skill set, market trends, and evolving business needs.

Profile Person Specifications:

• At least 3 years in a customer facing role and 2 years experience of managing a team.
• Effective planning and organisation.
• Ability to analyse retail results and interpret them.
• High level of flexibility and agility.
• Self-motivated and results-driven.
• Proven people management experience.