Area Manager - Ben & Jerry's (Sydney CBD)

Summary:

Do you enjoy working closely with franchisees to deliver strong results?

Are you passionate about changing the world we live in? 

Does the phrase “If it’s not fun, why do it?” resonate with you?

If so, then please read more about this amazing opportunity to join the Ben & Jerry’s Retail team! What we offer:

• Join a fun and dynamic team

• Regular, fully funded interstate and international travel

• Tools of the trade including phone and laptop

• Flexible working

We’re looking for a highly enthusiastic individual who is ready to take the next step in their QSR / Retail / Franchise career. Reporting into the Operations Lead, the Area Manager will be a trusted coach and consultant for our franchise network, guiding and supporting them to improve business operations and performance across the network.

About you:

• 2+ years’ in retail management. Experience in a fast-paced, QSR environment is preferable.

• 2+ years’ in multi-site management or in franchising (desirable)

• Is sales and profit growth driven with the ability to identify sales growth opportunities in a business.

• Ability to read P&L statements and coach profit opportunities across our various Scoop Shop business.

• Familiar with food safety and workplace health standards applicable to hospitality or QSR environments.

• Strong people management, with the ability to build credible relationships at all levels. Using these interpersonal skills to coach and influence on what good looks like to Team and Franchise Partners in an efficient manner.

• Excellent verbal and written communication. 

• Highly organised, energetic, team-oriented individual with a positive “can – do” attitude and a strong commitment to outstanding customer service.

• Computer proficiency, esp. Excel, Word, PowerPoint,etc.

• Share our social mission values and is passionate about making a difference in the world.

Ben & Jerry’s recognises the importance of effective operations as a critical enabler across the business. We are looking for someone to join our team who can help us take store operations to the next level, benefitting both our Franchise Partners and the corporate team.

Key Responsibilities (but not limited to) include:

Franchise & Partner Relationships

• Build strong, trust-based relationships with Franchise Partners, captive stores, suppliers, TMICC, and third-party partners. Deliver impactful store visits and develop tailored business development plans to enhance customer experience, team engagement, sales, standards, and profitability.

Business Performance & Growth

• Partner with the Retail Operations Lead to conduct regular business reviews and use P&L insights to benchmark store performance. Prepare and deliver reports to identify key opportunities for sales and profit growth ensuring Franchise Partners are engaged and ready to implement remediation actions. Allocate time strategically to support underperforming stores and close performance gaps quickly.

Operational Excellence

• Visit and evaluate stores one to two times per quarter, using scoop shop evaluation tools. Provide timely feedback and collaborate with Franchise Partners on action plans to improve execution, compliance, and customer experience.

Training & Development

• Lead onboarding and post-orientation training for new Franchise Partners and store teams. Deliver in-store customer service and product knowledge training, ensuring teams are engaged and ready to execute promotions. Reinforce quality hiring and retention practices to maximise sales potential.

Marketing & Local Activation

• Liaise with Franchise Partners to execute local store marketing (LSM) initiatives and encourage appropriate investment. Support the implementation of the regional retail marketing plan and contribute to new product and promotional launches.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with internal teams (QA, R&D, marketing, supply chain, finance) and our FAC to plan, manage, and execute key operational projects and initiatives.

Social Mission & Community Engagement

• Champion Ben & Jerry’s Social Mission by implementing agreed programmes and fostering meaningful connections with local communities.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure all stores adhere to franchise regulations, food safety, and workplace health standards. Oversee successful implementation of rectification actions, new store openings, and other operational improvement programmes. Escalate ongoing compliance matters with proposed solutions to the Operations Lead for review and direction.

Work Environment:

Position requires interstate & NZ travel once to twice per quarter. Our Scoop Shops are open 7 days per week, morning and evening hours; when required, individuals must be willing to work nights, weekends, extended hours and holidays as per the needs of the business (when stores are requiring added management support / new store openings etc) – though would not be a common weekly occurrence.

Qualifications:

While experience in food and beverage operations or franchise management is a plus, what really matters to us is your drive to learn, grow, and make a difference. We’re searching for an emerging Area Manager who’s ready to roll up their sleeves, bring positive energy, challenge the status quo and champion results. If you’re passionate about owning your territory and partnering with franchisees and key stakeholders to create something extraordinary, we want to hear from you!

Are you excited to craft the Ice Cream future?

To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter.  

Your application will be reviewed against our requirements, and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.

As publicly announced, Unilever will separate its Ice Cream business which is expected by the end of 2025. This role will transfer to the new Ice Cream company.

For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position.

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life! This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment journey. Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact anz.talent@unilever.com.

Unilever is an organization committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities.

This means we encourage people with all backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pacific Peoples, and people with disabilities. Interested in learning more, check out our Reconciliation Action Plan and Workplace Adjustment Policy on the Unilever webpage.

At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! We encourage you to advise us at the time of your application if you require any reasonable adjustment so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.