Area Manager - Apparel Retail

About the role

Sabenza IT & Recruitment is recruiting an experienced Area Manager to lead and manage a portfolio of retail stores within a designated area in Pretoria. The role drives sales performance, develops store leadership teams, maintains operational standards and ensures stores meet business objectives. It is a hands-on leadership position for a sales-driven retail professional with proven experience managing multiple stores in the apparel retail sector.

Key responsibilities

• Sales and store performance: build a strong sales culture, equip Store Managers and Sales Team Leaders to exceed targets, work with senior management on sales strategies, monitor sales trends and competitor activity, and ensure promotions, markdowns and merchandising are executed effectively.
• People leadership: coach and develop Store Managers and Sales Team Leaders, manage HR processes such as recruitment, interviewing, training and disciplinary matters, and help develop future retail leaders.
• Training and succession: mentor junior and trainee managers, give practical coaching, and conduct regular store visits with performance guidance.
• Operations and administration: keep stores compliant, monitor controls, rosters, reporting, merchandising, stock counts and shrinkage, oversee supervised stock counts, and ensure reports are accurate and on time.

Required profile

• 3+ years of managerial experience in apparel retail (essential).
• Proven experience managing multiple retail stores or a geographical area.
• Grade 12 / Matric essential.
• Strong sales-driven mindset with a track record of achieving targets.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and attention to detail.

Required skills

• People management, coaching and leadership.
• Understanding of retail operations, merchandising and stock management.