An area manager oversees store operations for a specific region. Most area managers begin as retail clerks and then move up to manage a particular store. During that time, you learn how the company operates and gain the skills necessary to manage a large staff. After managing a store, you can advance to area manager. In this role, you oversee the daily operations of several stores within a single region. Your duties are to set sales goals and travel between locations to keep track of the finances, sales, and profitability of each store.