Seasonal Area Manager

POSITION – SEASONAL AREA MANAGER ABOUT THE COMPANY Hickory Farms, Inc. is a mission and values driven enterprise and is one of North America’s leading specialty food and gift purveyors. Founded in 1951 in Northwest Ohio, Hickory Farms products are a hallmark gift for those who appreciate rich and savory foods. Based in Chicago, Hickory Farms brings the best of Midwest values to consumers in North America and the U.S. Armed Forces. Customers can find Hickory Farms’ savory sausages, favorite cheeses, and other gourmet foods online, in catalogs, in leading mass merchants, supermarkets, and approximately 80 retail shopping centers throughout the holiday season. POSITION SUMMARY Hickory Farms is recruiting for a Seasonal Area Manager. This position will start in September and end in the beginning to mid-January. Reporting to the Regional Manager, the Seasonal Area Manager is a key member of the Retail Team and will be responsible for all aspects of building retail sales, managing operations, and improving customer satisfaction in their Region. This will entail both strategic and tactical activities which maximize short and long-range objectives for the region’s sales growth; evaluating, managing, and motivating a sales organization. The Seasonal Area Manager will have a proactive approach to sales development, being directly involved in selecting, managing, and motivating a dedicated independent kiosk sales force. Key areas of focus will be to achieve key performance indicators, participate in recruitment, training, and sales development within their region, enabling Hickory Farms to enjoy higher customer satisfaction and improved sales conversion rates. KEY RELATIONSHIPS Reports to: Regional ManagerDirect Reports: 3-9 Store ManagersIndirect Reports: Seasonal Retail Sales Associates PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Create sales teams that can execute with outstanding results. Identify, build, and maintain a strong performance-based organization through effective hiring, training, and evaluation that will develop a strong sales team. Create an operating culture where individuals are motivated, provided constructive feedback, and rewarded for achievement. Responsible for meeting and exceeding sales budgets Leverage product knowledge to enhance associate average order value (AOV) Drive sampling and suggestive selling to increase transactions Motivate teams to be sales and customer focused Recruiting, Payroll, Relationship/Team Building Insure all locations are fully staffed Control labor by achieving payroll plan both dollars and hours Build and maintain relationships with third-party vendors Coach teams to success/manage turnover Training Plan and execute the Store Manager pocket and on-the-job training programs Develop Store Manager and Store Team through company prescribed training programs Ensure consistent team training throughout the duration of the project by monitoring online readiness report, communication with Area Managers, and impactful store visits Merchandising Execute Planograms specific to locations and ensure consistent planogram integrity throughout the season Instill importance of product knowledge utilization Ensure display and signing are impactful and compliant Inventory Control Manage stockroom inventory per company guidelines Ensure execution of product movement Enforce company policies, procedures, and controls around cash and inventory management Operations Execute pre-season deliverables Facilitate opening schedules, kiosk set-up, and merchandising Facilitate end of season closing and tear-downs, following standard operating procedures Maintain all operating expenses at or below budget Follow all company safety guidelines IDEAL EXPERIENCE Experience in managing premium, branded products Effective in an autonomous work environment Successful experience in building and managing a national brand and relationships in a retail environment 5 - 10 years of successful sales, marketing, and operating multi-unit experience CRITICAL COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS Focus on sales growth and results-oriented Deep functional sales and marketing expertise Outstanding communication skills A high-energy, team-oriented leader Ability to lift up to 42lbs infrequently and 25lbs frequently Ability to work 40-60 hours/week including nights, weekends, and holidays Overnight travel as necessary; driving record and background checks will be completed We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse and tobacco testing. #J-18808-Ljbffr