Area Manager

Industry:Designer toys and collectible pieces Location:Milan (Cordusio M1) Job type:Full time - PermanentWorking Hours:40 hours per weekAbout POP MARTFounded in ****, POP MART is a market-leading entertainment company and a global champion of designer toy culture.Through global artist development, IP operations, and designer toy culture evangelism, we have built an integrated platform covering the entire designer toy value chain.Besides our original and iconic IPs such as Molly, Hirono, Skullpanda, and LABUBU, POP MART collaborates with top-tier toys and lifestyle brands including Disney, Universal Studios, and Sanrio to create collectible art toys featuring their iconic characters.POP MART has established a strong presence across key European markets, including Spain, Italy, Netherlands, France, and the UK.As part of our strategic growth initiatives, we are focused on expanding our retail network into additional high-potential markets across Europe, continuing to strengthen our brand's position in the region.For more information, please visitand ourLinkedIn Careerpage.What to ExpectPOP MART is a fast-paced company with a young and multicultural team where you can expect to:Gain valuable professional experience covering the entire retail life cycleHave the opportunity to work with people from different countries and cultures in a collaborative environmentReceive structured customer service, retail operations, and product trainingBe proactively involved in the company's growthBenefitsPOP MART offers our employees:Selected POP MART toys as appreciation gifts every monthComprehensive training and development programsRegular team social eventsCorporate DiscountsEmployee Assistance ProgramA structured bonus/commission scheme in line with the company's and the individual's performanceThe Role and CandidateTheArea Managerwill be responsible for overseeing all POP MART stores in Italy, ensuring seamless daily operations, sales performance and an exceptional customer experience.This is a hybrid role that requires a hands-on approach to store management while also supporting broader retail operations in Italy.ResponsibilitiesOperations & Store PerformanceOversee daily operations of all existing and upcoming store locations in the Italian market, ensuring operational excellence, efficiency, cleanliness and high service standardsConduct regular store visits and audits to assess performance, service quality, visual standards and operational complianceAct as the main point of contact for operational challenges and opportunities, ensuring smooth communication and fast problem resolutionSupport future store openings in Italy, providing operational guidance, best practices and on-site supportSales, Strategy & Financial ManagementMonitor sales performance, analyse trends and KPIs and identify areas for improvementDevelop and implement strategies to optimize revenue, profitability, labor efficiency and cost controlContribute to the development of annual business plans and budgets for the area, tracking performance against targetsReport regularly on area performance, risks and opportunities to senior managementMerchandising & InventorySupport store teams in executing merchandising plans, product launches and marketing initiativesEnsure consistent and appealing product displays aligned with brand guidelinesOversee inventory flow, stock control, availability and loss prevention, working closely with Supply Chain teamsLeadership & People ManagementSupport the recruitment, onboarding and training of store managers and store-level staffCoach and motivate teams to achieve sales targets and deliver excellent customer serviceConduct regular meetings and performance evaluations, fostering a strong performance-driven cultureCustomer Experience & ComplianceEnsure high standards of customer satisfaction and handle escalated customer issues when neededEnsure compliance with company SOPs, operational policies, safety standards and local retail regulationsCross-functional CollaborationWork closely with internal teams such as Marketing, HR and Supply Chain as well as external stakeholders to continuously improve store operations and executionRequired Qualifications5+ years of experience in retail operations with responsibility over multiple store locations, preferably within flagship or high-traffic retail environmentsProven leadership experience with a strong track record in recruiting, coaching, motivating and developing store managers and store teamsSolid business acumen with demonstrated ability to analyse sales performance, KPIs and financial data, including Opex management and cost controlStrong operational background with hands-on experience in daily store operations, operational excellence and customer experience enhancementAbility to translate data insights into concrete strategic and operational improvements in a fast-paced retail environmentGood understanding of visual merchandising principles, inventory management, loss prevention and retail complianceExcellent problem-solving skills with a practical and execution-oriented mindsetStrong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and stakeholdersProficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and retail analytics toolsFluency in Italian and English, any other European language is a plusShort notice period is highly preferredDesirable but Not EssentialExperience in licensed merchandise, collectible toys, or designer product retailFamiliarity with the Italian retail market and flagship store operationsExperience in supporting new store openings and retail expansion projects