Area Manager - Retail Operations

Attractive Salary & Benefits

Bonus Scheme

Company Car/ Allowance

36.5 Hour week

Northern Ireland

Who are we?

Henderson Group are proud to be one of Northern Ireland’s leading employers.

Our group employs over 6,000 colleagues, and encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice, Henderson Group Property, and Henderson Technology. 

We’re a family-owned business, and our culture is lived out through our four core values- Ambition, Customer First, Teamwork and Integrity.

Henderson Retail Ltd., our company-owned store division is an Investors in People PLATINUM accredited employer, employing more than 4,000 colleagues across 117 retail stores in Northern Ireland.  Our business is multi-award winning, and we are committed to continual investment and development, ensuring that our stores are “best-in-class”, delivering an excellent service to our local communities. Our business is growing, with store developments and new store openings- This brand new role will support that growth as we prepare for an exciting journey ahead!

We are passionate about giving back to the communities we serve, and our teams are encouraged to develop skills, support each other, and make a difference.  If you’d like to make a positive impact, lead a top performing retail team. and support us in providing a great experience for our customers, then this could be the right opportunity for you.

A look into the role…

In this role, you will be responsible for leading store teams across a designated area of SPAR/EUROSPAR stores.  You’ll lead and inspire your team to deliver strategic objectives for your area, taking ownership for area financial performance. 

You’ll play a key role within our leadership team, as we continue to strengthen our position in the market, and will be influential in key decision-making

This position will be well suited to a candidate with strong relevant experience from a food retail background and an excellent track record of leading a team to success.

As Area Manager you will:

• Directly lead and inspire a team of retail Store Managers, working to achieve the very best in local community retailing.
• Through your leadership, create the conditions that inspire your store teams to deliver operational excellence and the very best customer experience.
• Influence the financial performance of your stores, by successfully managing budgets, targets and Key Performance Indicators.
• Identify commercial opportunities and engage with stakeholders across the group to enhance overall commercial performance of your group of stores.
• Build a high-performance culture and a talent pipeline for the future.

Skills for Success…

Joining us as an Area Manager the minimum criteria you’ll need is:

• Proven recent experience from the grocery sector at a leadership level- it would be ideal if you’re already a multi-site Area/Store Manager or a high-performing, successful Senior Store Manager with at least three years in the role (preferably from a large retail organisation) and clearly ready to progress further.
• Strong track record of performance success in the food retail sector, improving operational efficiency, demonstrating an eye for detail, delivering standards of excellence and leading, inspiring and motivating store teams to maximise results.
• Commercial awareness of the Northern Ireland convenience/symbol retail marketplace.
• Understanding of profit and loss account dynamics.
• Good standard of education (including GCSE English and Maths at grade C or above, or equivalent).
• Proficiency in using MS Office packages.
• Current driving licence and ability to travel throughout Northern Ireland.

 The personal attributes you’ll need include:

• A passion for continuous improvement, always looking for ways to enable the retail proposition to be enhanced and grown.
• A great relationship builder, with excellent communication and influencing skills at all levels in the business.
• Ability to engage a wide range of personalities and take people with you through belief and with energy.
• Strong ability to plan, organise and prioritise activities and initiatives across a large stakeholder group.
• Adaptable, resilient and able to lead change in a dynamic and fast-moving environment.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Capacity to lead a team of 8-12 direct reports.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to report and present insights.

Are we right for you?

As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by.

Ambition – We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.

Customer First – We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.

Teamwork – We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.

Integrity – We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.
 

The Reward
 

The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day-to-day role.

You will be part of a business that places the local community at the heart of what we do, and we’ll encourage you to get involved in areas where you’ll make a real difference.
We will help you to feel proud of what you do and achieve, and will celebrate your success. 

Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment.  We value employee development and heavily invest in our people- Henderson Retail are an Investors in People Platinum accredited employer.

Benefits include market competitive salary, company car or allowance, bonus, contributory pension scheme, healthcare, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, Staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more.

This is a full-time position working 5 days out of 7 each week on a rota basis.  Shortlisted candidates will have an opportunity to discuss working hours in further detail at selection stage.

If you'd like to speak with us before making your application, our Group Resourcing Manager – Gayle Clinghan would be happy to have a confidential chat with you about the role on offer - email gayle.clinghan@henderson-group.com to get in touch.

Applicants should note that based on the response, the Company may increase the shortlisting criteria.

Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight on Monday 1st June 2026.

*You may attach a CV to accompany your application if you wish- however, shortlisting will be completed from screening of the online application form, and therefore the above criteria should be fully evidenced in the ‘Work Experience’ and screening questions section of your application form. 

**Communication on the progress of your application will be made via email and the career site, therefore please check your inbox folders regularly.

We are an equal opportunities employer.