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Area managers play a pivotal role in overseeing the operations of multiple stores or sites, ensuring targets are met, processes are followed, and teams are performing at their best. From managing budgets and implementing strategies to handling customer service and ensuring ensuring compliance with company policies. With such a wide-reaching role, it’s crucial to present your experience clearly and confidently on your area manager CV.
This guide provides everything you need to create a strong area manager CV, including:
- Area manager CV examples
- Professionally designed CV templates
- Step-by-step advice on how to format and structure your CV
- Practical tips to help your application stand out
- Common mistakes to avoid when writing your CV
- Frequently asked questions about area manager CVs
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Area manager CV sample
Kiara Connell
07912 345 678
kiara.connell@example-example.co.uk
44 Kingsway, Manchester, M60 3TT
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Driven Area Manager with extensive experience improving customer service standards and achieving key performance indicators in high-volume, fast-paced environments. Proven track record of exceeding sales targets and managing teams to drive operational efficiency and business growth. Reliable, goal-oriented, and adept at thriving under pressure.
WORK HISTORY
Area Manager
Hi-Tech Ltd | Manchester
Dec 2016 – Present
- Spearheaded a successful charity sales scheme resulting in a 19% increase in sales.
- Consistently exceeded sales forecast figures by 22% through superior customer service.
- Managed a team of 13 subordinates to meet and exceed efficiency targets.
Junior Area Manager
Tiger | Manchester
Sep 2012 – Nov 2016
- Analysed departmental documentation for appropriate distribution and filing.
- Created multimedia presentations, including synchronised video and text depositions, for boardroom and courtroom settings.
- Assisted multiple business groups with document organization and dissemination during acquisitions.
Location Manager
Valley Stores | Manchester
Jan 2005 – Sep 2012
- Implemented marketing strategies resulting in a 12% increase in customer base.
- Initiated two key partnerships, leading to a 54% growth in revenue.
- Supported Area Manager in enhancing operations and resolving customer service issues.
SKILLS
- Database Management
- Order Management
- Software and Systems Proficiency
- Cost Control
- Customer Service Excellence
- Vendor Management
- Highly Analytical
- Performance and Goal-Oriented
EDUCATION
A-Levels
Loreto College, Manchester — 2005
Subjects: Business Studies, Critical Thinking, Mathematics, English Language
GCSEs
Chorlton High School, Manchester — 2003
Choose your area manager CV format
Selecting the right CV format is crucial when applying for an area manager role. You need to present your experience and leadership skills in a way that feels clear, impactful, and relevant to employers. Here are two common formats used in the UK, and tips on how to choose between them:
Chronological CV
The chronological CV is the most traditional and widely used format. This layout highlights your work experience in reverse chronological order, beginning with your most recent position. It typically follows this structure:
- Professional Summary
- Work Experience (listed from the most recent role to the earliest)
- Education & Qualifications
- Skills
This format is ideal if you have extensive experience in management and have held multiple area or team management roles. It allows employers to easily track your career progression, see how your responsibilities and achievements have grown over time, and assess your suitability for an area manager position. If your experience is a strong asset, this is the best format to showcase it.
Skills-based CV
The skills-based CV focuses on your abilities, strengths, and accomplishments rather than your work history. It’s particularly effective if you’re transitioning into an area manager role or have limited direct experience. A typical layout includes:
- Professional Summary
- Key Skills (highlighting transferable skills like leadership, strategic planning, and problem-solving)
- Work Experience (if applicable, a concise section that focuses on the most relevant roles)
- Education & Qualifications
This format works well for those who want to emphasise their leadership and management capabilities, such as driving sales, improving customer service, and leading teams. It’s an excellent choice for those who may have limited experience in a formal area manager role but have transferable skills from other positions, such as retail management or team leadership.
How to write an area manager CV: Step by step
To write an effective CV for an area manager position, it’s important to include the right sections and present each one clearly and professionally. A well-structured area manager CV allows employers to quickly understand what makes you the ideal candidate.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through each section of the CV for area management, offering examples and tips to help you create a strong, job-ready application that highlights your suitability for the role.
- Include your contact details
- Write your area manager CV personal statement
- Adding your work experience
- Skills to include for your area manager CV
- Outlining education on an area manager CV
Include your contact details
Start your CV for area manager jobs by placing your contact details at the top of the page. Include the following:
- Full name
- Current location (town or city)
- Professional email address
- A reliable mobile number
Make sure your contact information is up to date and error-free.
Example contact section on an area manager CV
Kiara Connell
07912 345 678
kiara.connell@example-example.co.uk
44 Kingsway, Manchester, M60 3TT
Write your area manager CV personal statement
Your personal statement (also known as a professional summary) should give employers a clear snapshot of your leadership experience, commercial strengths, and ability to manage performance across multiple locations. This short section (around three to four sentences) helps hiring managers quickly see why you’re a strong candidate for the role.
Quick tips for writing your personal statement:
- Be concise – Aim for three to four impactful sentences.
- Mention your total years of experience – This helps employers gauge your seniority at a glance.
- Highlight key strengths – Focus on leadership, multi-site management, achieving KPIs, and improving operations.
- Tailor it to the role – Use keywords from the job description to show alignment with employer expectations.
Example personal statement for an area manager CV:
Experienced area manager with over six years of success leading retail teams across multiple locations. Proven track record in driving sales performance, improving operational processes, and delivering high levels of customer satisfaction. Strong leadership skills with a focus on mentoring staff and achieving regional KPIs. Confident in making data-driven decisions and implementing strategies that improve efficiency and profitability.
Adding your work experience
For an area manager role, your work experience section should clearly highlight your leadership capabilities, your ability to manage multiple sites or teams, and your impact on business performance. Employers are particularly interested in achievements like sales growth, improved operational efficiency, and strong team management.
Even if your previous roles weren’t titled “area manager”, you can still demonstrate progression and transferable skills—especially if you’ve led teams, overseen operations, or contributed to strategic decisions.
Key points for listing your work experience:
- Job title, company name, and employment dates
- Summary of responsibilities – Focus on managing teams, hitting KPIs, regional oversight, and implementing improvements
- Tools or systems used – Mention relevant systems (e.g. CRM platforms, POS systems, stock management software)
- Results or improvements – Include specific achievements such as sales growth, improved staff performance, or cost savings
Example of work experience for an area manager CV:
Area Manager
Tesco, Manchester
May 2021 – Present
- Oversee operations across 8 store locations in the Greater Manchester region
- Lead and support store managers to ensure compliance with company standards and targets
- Implement strategies that led to a 14% increase in regional sales year-on-year
- Monitor stock levels, staff performance, and customer feedback to improve operational efficiency
- Conduct regular site visits, audits, and staff development sessions
Store Manager
Boots, Salford
January 2018 – April 2021
- Managed a team of 25, driving performance through coaching, KPIs, and development plans
- Achieved a 96% customer satisfaction rating in 2020 through improved staff training and store presentation
- Reduced staff turnover by 22% by introducing more flexible shift planning and clear progression pathways
- Oversaw store budgets, inventory, and compliance with health and safety standards
Skills to include for your area manager CV
The skills section of your CV is a quick and effective way to show that you have the leadership, commercial, and operational expertise required for success in an area manager role. This section should reflect both your strategic thinking and your day-to-day management abilities, such as team leadership, multi-site coordination, and performance analysis.
If you’re applying for your first area manager role or transitioning from a related position, consider placing the skills section above your work history to highlight your capabilities early in your area manager CV.
Aim to list 8 to 10 relevant hard & soft skills using bullet points to ensure they’re easy for hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) to spot. Keep your wording clear and job-focused.
Technical skills for an area manager:
- Multi-site operations management
- Budget planning and cost control
- Sales forecasting and performance tracking
- Staff recruitment, training, and development
- Use of retail or operational software
- Health and safety compliance
- Inventory and stock control
- KPI and target management
General skills to include:
- Strategic planning and execution
- Strong leadership and team motivation
- Problem-solving and decision-making
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Time management and prioritisation
- Adaptability in fast-paced environments
Tip: Include a mixture of technical and general skills from the lists above to show you’re both hands-on with operations and confident in managing people, processes, and performance.
Outlining education on an area manager CV
For area manager roles in the UK, a university degree is not always essential, but it can be beneficial, especially if you’re moving into the position from a supervisory or store manager role. Qualifications in business management, retail operations, or leadership can help demonstrate your strategic understanding and long-term commitment to a career in multi-site management.
For your CV education section, list your most relevant or recent qualification first. You should also include any additional certifications or professional training that support your leadership, commercial, or operational skills.
What to include in your education section:
- The full title of your qualification
- The name of the university, college, or training provider
- The dates you attended or completed the course
- Relevant certifications (e.g. leadership training, health and safety, retail operations)
Example of education for an area manager CV:
BA (Hons) Business Management
University of Leeds | 2016 to 2019
Certifications:
ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management
Dos and don’ts for your area manager CV
DO
DO highlight your leadership and operational strengths
Employers want to see evidence that you can lead teams, manage performance, and drive results across multiple locations. Use specific examples that show how you’ve improved processes, met KPIs, or supported staff development. For example:
- Led a team of 10 store managers to exceed regional sales targets by 18% over 12 months.
DO use industry-relevant keywords
Including terminology related to retail, operations, or multi-site management helps your CV get noticed, particularly by applicant tracking systems (ATS). These keywords also show your familiarity with the tools and responsibilities of an area manager. Examples include:
- KPI tracking
- Budget management
- Multi-site operations
- Performance reviews
- Stock control
- Training and development
- Profit and loss accountability
DON’T
DON’T send the same CV to every job opening
Customise your CV for each specific role you apply for. Tailor your experience, skills, and professional summary to match the job description. Highlight the skills and achievements that align with the company’s needs. Sending a generic CV can make it seem like you’re not genuinely interested in the role or haven’t taken the time to understand what the employer is looking for. By tailoring your CV, you show that you’ve put in the effort and are a better fit for the position.
DON’T use unprofessional fonts or formatting
The design of your CV should be clean, professional, and easy to read. Avoid using decorative fonts, excessive colours, or hard-to-read formatting. Stick to classic, recommended fonts like Arial or Calibri and keep the layout consistent throughout. An overly flashy CV can make you seem unprofessional.
Your area manager questions answered
How can I improve my chances of getting an interview?
Including a cover letter with your job application can significantly boost your chances of securing an interview. It allows you to showcase your personality and leadership style, giving employers a deeper insight into how your experience aligns with the role. A strong cover letter highlights how you can add value to the business, whether through improving team performance, driving sales, or enhancing customer service, setting you apart from other applicants and demonstrating your genuine interest in the position.
Should I list all my previous job titles on my area manager CV?
You don’t need to list every job title, especially if some roles are not directly relevant to the area manager position. Focus on highlighting the positions and experiences that demonstrate your management, leadership, and operational skills. Typically, listing around three relevant roles is a good amount, as it allows you to showcase your most important experiences without overwhelming the reader.
What skills are most important for an area manager?
Key skills for an area manager include strong leadership, communication, and organisational abilities. The role requires the ability to manage multiple teams and locations, solve problems quickly, and ensure smooth day-to-day operations. Financial acumen, time management, and the ability to make data-driven decisions are also crucial. In addition, strong interpersonal skills are necessary for managing staff and liaising with senior management.
How can I demonstrate my ability to manage a team?
To showcase your team management skills, focus on specific examples where you led a team to achieve business goals. Include details such as the size of the team, the types of projects or initiatives you managed, and the results of your leadership. For example: “Led a team of 15 employees across three locations, improving operational efficiency by 18% and reducing staff turnover by 10%.” This will highlight your capacity to motivate and manage people effectively.
What is the difference between an area manager and a regional manager?
The key difference between an area manager and a regional manager is the scope of their responsibility. Area managers typically oversee a smaller number of locations within a specific area, while regional managers are responsible for a larger geographic area, potentially covering multiple regions. Regional managers often have a broader strategic focus, while area managers focus more on day-to-day operations.
Create your CV today
Build your area manager CV effortlessly with our easy-to-use online CV builder. Choose from over 15+ professional templates that showcase your leadership skills, operational experience, and achievements. Simply input your information and use our pre-written content to quickly tailor your CV. Once you’re done, download your ATS-friendly CV with just a few clicks and get ready to stand out to employers and recruiters.
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