At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead multiple retail locations, develop managers, and enhance customer experiences.
- Company: A proud family business with nearly 100 years of heritage and strong values.
- Benefits: Career progression, supportive environment, and opportunities for personal development.
- Other info: Join a team that values respect, integrity, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing retail estate while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management and a passion for operational excellence.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About the company! Family business built on quality, craftsmanship and community. Our values of Respect, Heritage, Innovation, Integrity, Sustainability and Excellence shape how we work, how we support our people and how we deliver quality for our customers every day.
Your Opportunity
As an Area Manager, you will play a key role in driving the success of our retail estate by leading performance, developing Retail Managers and ensuring every location delivers an exceptional customer experience. You will have responsibility for supporting multiple stores across your area, combining commercial focus with strong people leadership to achieve sustainable growth. This is an opportunity for an experienced retail leader who enjoys developing others, improving performance and creating a culture where teams can thrive. You will be a key link between our stores and the wider business, turning strategy into action and helping shape the future success of the company.
What You’ll Learn & Contribute
You will have the opportunity to:
- Lead through others by coaching and developing Retail Managers to build confident, capable and high-performing teams.
- Drive commercial success by analysing performance, identifying opportunities and delivering sales growth across your area.
- Shape operational excellence by ensuring consistent standards, improving ways of working and creating outstanding customer experiences.
Through this experience, you will develop:
- Strategic Leadership Capability: The ability to influence performance across a wider business area, develop leaders and deliver long-term results.
- Commercial Expertise: A strong understanding of sales growth, customer behaviour, KPIs and how effective leadership drives business performance.
- Change & Improvement Skills: The ability to identify opportunities, implement improvements and inspire teams through periods of growth and change.
How You’ll Make an Impact
Your leadership will directly contribute to:
- Delivering outstanding customer experiences across all stores within your area.
- Developing Retail Managers and creating a strong leadership pipeline.
- Achieving sales growth and improving commercial performance.
- Maintaining consistent brand standards and operational excellence.
- Supporting safe, compliant and efficient store operations.
- Identifying opportunities that improve customer loyalty, colleague engagement and business results.
Your Development Journey
At our company, our leaders play an important role in shaping our future. As an Area Manager, you will continue to develop your capability in:
- Leading and influencing managers across multiple locations.
- Driving commercial performance through data and insights.
- Coaching leaders to achieve their potential.
- Delivering strategic initiatives across the retail estate.
- Creating consistent customer and colleague experiences.
This role provides the opportunity to progress into wider senior leadership positions within retail operations and the wider business.
What You’ll Bring
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience leading multiple retail locations or a significant retail operation.
- Enjoys developing managers and building strong leadership teams.
- Has a proven track record of delivering commercial results.
- Is customer-focused and passionate about operational excellence.
- Uses data and insight to make informed decisions.
- Is confident influencing others and creating positive change.
- Is organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities.
Skills & Experience
You may already have experience in:
- Area management, multi-site retail or food-to-go leadership.
- Coaching and developing Retail Managers.
- Managing sales performance and operational KPIs.
- Improving customer experience and loyalty.
- Maintaining food safety, hygiene and health & safety standards.
- Leading teams through business improvements and growth.
You do not need to have everything already, we value leadership mindset, commercial thinking and commitment to doing your best.
Why join this amazing business?
- A proud family business with nearly 100 years of heritage.
- The opportunity to influence the success of a growing retail estate.
- A leadership role with significant impact and responsibility.
- A supportive environment where ideas and improvements are valued.
- Opportunities to develop and progress your career.
- A workplace built on respect, integrity and excellence.
- A business built on strong values and continuous improvement.
We look forward to seeing your CV.
Area Manager in Surrey employer: Layka Recruitment
Layka Recruitment is an excellent employer that values its employees by fostering a supportive and collaborative work culture in Egham. With a focus on professional development, the company offers numerous growth opportunities and encourages team members to enhance their skills while contributing to meaningful projects. Employees enjoy a dynamic work environment where their contributions are recognised and rewarded, making it a truly rewarding place to build a career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Manager in Surrey
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Layka Recruitment. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Layka Recruitment
Don't be shy about reaching out to Layka Recruitment directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Area Manager in Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Layka Recruitment and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Layka Recruitment
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
