Area Manager

Location Tokyo
Discipline Marketing, Sales
Job type Permanent
Salary Negotiable
Reference 58661

Position: Area Manager
Company: Global Footwear Brand
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Employment Type: Full-time

Overview

A global retail company is seeking an Area Manager to support the continued growth of its Japan business. This role is responsible for maximizing sales and profitability across an assigned area of 12–16 stores, while enhancing overall retail competitiveness through operational excellence, talent development, inventory/VMD optimization, and customer experience improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Performance Management

  • Analyze weekly and monthly sales, gross profit, and KPIs (CVR / UPT / AVT)

  • Develop and execute improvement initiatives based on data insights

  • Lead budgeting, P/L management, and promotional planning

Store Operations Management

  • Oversee store operations including inventory control, stocktaking, POS/cash handling, and health & safety compliance

  • Ensure standardization of SOPs and service quality across stores

People Management & Development

  • Recruit, develop, evaluate, and allocate Store Managers and sales staff

  • Drive succession planning and talent development initiatives

Stakeholder & Cross-functional Collaboration

  • Build relationships and negotiate with department stores and shopping centers

  • Improve store environments and manage events/pop-ups

  • Collaborate with HQ functions (MD, Marketing, EC) to drive initiatives

Reporting & Planning

  • Prepare weekly and monthly reports

  • Visualize and implement area-level improvement strategies

Requirements

Experience

  • 5+ years of experience in the retail industry

  • Experience managing multiple stores as an Area Manager or similar role

  • Proven track record of KPI-driven performance improvement

  • Experience negotiating with department stores or shopping centers

Skills

  • Strong analytical and numerical management skills

  • Basic PC skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)

  • Willingness to travel overnight 1–2 times per month

Ideal Candidate Profile

  • Customer-focused with the ability to balance experience and business results

  • Strong understanding of retail operations and proactive mindset

  • Passionate about coaching and developing teams

  • Excellent communication skills to act as a bridge between HQ, stores, and external partners