Area Operations Manager Jobs in Acworth, GA (NOW HIRING)

Retail Operations Manager (ROM)

Position Summary

The Retail Operations Manager (ROM) is responsible for leading and developing a Retail Selling and Merchandising organization within an assigned geographic region. This role oversees a designated portfolio of clients and retailers, ensuring successful execution of retail initiatives, store coverage, project implementation, and client objectives. The ROM serves as a key representative of the Company, driving operational excellence, talent development, client satisfaction, and business growth.

What We Offer

Full-Time Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life)
• 401(k) with company match
• Training and Career Development
• Generous Paid Time-Off

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

Operational Excellence

• Lead high-performing retail teams and ensure consistent execution of client Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) by proactively addressing operational challenges.
• Oversee retail store coverage, project execution, and routing strategies to maximize efficiency and service levels across the assigned region.
• Develop associates through performance management, coaching, training, succession planning, in-store assessments, and individual development plans.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain top talent to support organizational growth and long-term workforce planning.
• Maintain effective communication with internal and external stakeholders and lead change management initiatives that support company and client objectives.
• Analyze retail reporting and performance data to identify trends, provide actionable insights, and drive continuous improvement.
• Develop, manage, and monitor operating budgets, expenses, revenue, and profitability within the assigned area of responsibility.

Strategic Leadership

• Champion and implement company strategies, programs, policies, and initiatives while ensuring compliance across the assigned region.
• Drive business growth by expanding existing client relationships and identifying new business opportunities.
• Lead organizational development initiatives that improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Partner with internal leaders, clients, retailers, and cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives and deliver exceptional results.

Client & Retailer Partnership Management

• Serve as the primary retail contact for assigned clients and retailer partners.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships while ensuring achievement of performance goals and KPI expectations.
• Identify opportunities to enhance client value, strengthen partnerships, and expand service offerings.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports

• Recruit, hire, train, coach, develop, and retain direct reports.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing feedback, guidance, and career development support.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.

Indirect Reports

• Provide leadership, direction, mentoring, and support to indirect reports when appropriate.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution of client and company objectives.

Travel and Driving Requirements

• Travel and driving are essential functions of this role.
• Travel may be required up to 80% of the time.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license and meet company motor vehicle requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Required:

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent experience

Preferred:

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Business Management, or a related field

Experience

• 5+ years of retail leadership experience, including direct people management.
• Experience managing field retail teams, merchandising initiatives, or store operations.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, P&L management, and client relationship management.
• Proven ability to lead teams and deliver results in a multi-location environment.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Strong leadership, coaching, and talent development skills.
• Customer and client relationship management expertise.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and related business systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to delegate responsibilities and effectively evaluate team performance.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across departments and stakeholder groups.
• Strategic thinking and business planning capabilities.
• Strong customer service orientation and commitment to quality execution.
• Ability to lead change and drive organizational performance improvements.

Job Will Remain Open Until Filled

The Company is one of North America's leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Position Summary

The Retail Operations Manager is primarily responsible for leading and developing an assigned Retail Selling and Merchandising organization. The ROM will oversee specific segment of clients and/or retailers within an assigned geography. They are responsible for representing the Company and their designated Clients & Customers through the management of retail store coverage, set/project coverage, executing objectives set forth by Clients, Retailers and/or Business Development Managers and related retail leadership.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilitie

Operational Excellence

• Operational Efficiency: Maintain excellent high-performing teams and proactively ensure client KPI's are executed consistently by addressing retail issues on an on-going basis. Oversee effective and efficient retail routing and approve all related routing decisions for an assigned region.
• Associate Performance Management: Develop people through training and direct organizational and team development initiatives using performance management tools, including: performance reviews, in-store assessments, individual associate development plans & succession planning documentation. Source and identify external talent and integrate new associates into the organization as part of a long term talent expansion strategy.
• Communication/Change Management: Maintain proactive and professional communications across multiple internal and external stakeholders; lead change across responsible retail organization to ensure client and company KPIs are met.
• Retail Reporting: Maintain working knowledge of company systems including all reporting functions. Interpret retail reporting data and offer actionable insights to course correct and achieve client/retailer performance expectations.
• Budgeting: manage, assist and/or develop expense and/orrevenue/operating income budget for area of responsibility based on responsible channel of trade and client(s) responsibility.

Strategic Leadership

• Standardization and Execution of the Company's Strategic Direction: Outline and implement National policies and programs. Proactively promote the Company's Strategic Direction and Vision on a day-to-day basis and assure compliance with all National Programs.
• Business Development: Grow base business and add new business.
• Organizational Development: Oversee Retail Operations-wide efforts to increase effectiveness and/or efficiency enabling the organization to achieve its strategic goals.
• Customer/Company Customer Team/Company Market Integration: Serve as strategic retail contact for Customers, Company Business Managers, RTLs/ATLs, and Company Department Managers & Sales Directors in each assigned region that affect the Account Team(s). Utilize all elements and resources to meet and exceed team and Client's requirements.

Client/Retailer Partnership Management

• Serve as strategic retail contact for all clients in assigned region. Work to build and maintain Client/Retailer partnerships while managing ongoing client goals and KPI objectives. Pursue new Client representation and seek additional business opportunities from existing client base in an effort to add incremental value to our client base.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports

Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resources

Indirect Reports

May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Travel and/or Driving Requirements

Travel and Driving are essential duties and function of this job

Travel up to Up to 80%

Minimum Qualifications

Education Level: (Required) High School Diploma or GED or equivalent experience

(Preferred) Bachelor's Degree

Field of Study/Area of Experience: Marketing or Business Management

5+ years of retail experience with associate management

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Customer and client management
• Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
• Analytical skills
• Excellent written communication and verbal communication skills
• Excellent customer service orientation
• Strong prioritization skills
• Skill in supervising to include delegating responsibility, training and evaluating performance
• Ability to work effectively with management
• Ability to visualize and plan objectives and goals strategically
• Ability to work independently and prioritize duties with minimal supervision, in order to meet deadlines
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle a fast-paced work environment
• Basic computer skills including familiarity with Word, Excel, and Internet usage
• Ability to ensure a high level of service and quality is maintained
• Ability to direct, lead, coach, and develop people

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Field / Administrative Requirements

Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work may be performed in an office, field, retail store, or warehouse environment. Typically requires the ability to spend 66%+ hours each work day doing the following activities: engage in considerable physical activity, ability to lift and/or push up to 50 pounds, stand on feet for long periods of time, use products or cook food as appropriate for the demonstration, and may be required to work in extremely cold conditions (i.e. refrigerated and freezer sections). Also required to travel and drive. The use of proper safety practices when handling the products and/or cooking is essential.

Additional Information Regarding The Company Job Duties and Job Descriptions

Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one's supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.