Position Summary
The Area Director oversees a portfolio of service center locations, leading through Store Managers to drive both people and performance excellence. This is a high-touch, hands-on leadership role that requires frequent store visits, strong operational discipline, and decisive problem-solving. The Area Director is accountable for profitable sales growth, EBITDA performance, operational consistency, and team development across the territory.
Success in this role requires building strong, capable Store Managers; ensuring exceptional customer experiences; and maintaining high standards of safety, service, and compliance. This position interacts regularly with leaders at all levels--including executive leadership--and must be able to communicate clearly, influence effectively, and adapt quickly to evolving organizational needs. Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead and support Store Managers, serving as their primary partner for operations, staffing, customer service, and performance outcomes.
- Drive sales growth and profitability, monitoring P&L performance, labor and payroll costs, and store-level EBITDA; take proactive corrective action to achieve financial goals.
- Visit stores regularly (weekly to bi-weekly based on size and geography of territory) to assess performance, coach managers, provide feedback, and resolve issues quickly.
- Drive people initiatives, including hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, performance management, and addressing HR issues timely, and in partnership with the HR team.
- Ensure a consistent, high-quality customer experience across all stores by setting expectations, observing service delivery, and reinforcing behaviors that drive loyalty and retention.
- Champion operational excellence and compliance with all company policies, safety standards, and service expectations across the territory.
- Partner across the organization with the Market Leader and corporate teams to ensure stores have the tools, resources, and insights needed to succeed.
- Develop Store Managers into strong business leaders capable of building engaged, customer-focused, and high performing teams that deliver on key KPIs and profitability targets.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- High school diploma required.
- Associates Degree required in business administration, marketing, operations management or similar.
- Bachelor's Degree preferred in business administration, marketing, operations management or similar.
- 5-10 years of progressive technical/industry experience within retail, automotive service, or a related operational environment.
- 8-10 years of demonstrated leadership experience overseeing multi-unit operations or leading large, dispersed teams.
- Strong understanding of P&L management, labor controls, financial drivers, and operational metrics.
- Knowledge of best practices in customer service delivery, operational standards, safety compliance, and workforce management.
- Familiarity with talent development practices, including coaching, performance management, and succession planning.
- Exceptional leadership presence with the ability to inspire, influence, and motivate Store Managers and diverse teams.
- Proven ability to translate strategy into clear operational action plans and drive execution with urgency.
- Strong analytical and financial skills, including the ability to interpret data, diagnose performance gaps, and take proactive corrective actions.
- Outstanding communication skills with the ability to adapt style to audiences ranging from frontline teams to executive leadership.
- High learning agility, resourcefulness, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, hands-on, high-accountability environment.
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve operational challenges quickly and effectively.
- Demonstrated capability to build talent, cultivate strong managers, and foster a culture of engagement, accountability, and customer focus.
- Ability to manage competing priorities, stay organized, and maintain consistency across multiple locations.
- Proficiency with basic business technologies, reporting tools, and operational systems.
Physical Demands/Work Environment The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Physical Demands
- Repetitive movement of hands and fingers, typing or writing.
- Occasional standing and walking.
- Reach with hands and arms.
- Frequent travel.
- Talk and hear.
- Ability to work under tight time constraints, handle sensitive date and multi-task so that deadlines can be met.
- High organized and able to prioritize and manage time efficiently with the ability to handle stress in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Life insurance
- Short Term Disability
- Supplemental benefits
- 401(k) with company match
- PTO and holiday pay
- On-demand pay partner (DailyPay)
- Reduced benefits available for part-time team members
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
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