Area Support Manager

Responsibilities

The Area Support Manager (ASM) is responsible for supporting 15 centres with operational running, standards, and compliance. Working closely with the Area General Manager, the Area Support Manager ensures consistent operational excellence, supports Centre Principals with day‑to‑day issues, and drives adherence to policies, procedures, and brand expectations. The Area Support Manager will support and coordinate any new centre development plans.

• Consistently raise awareness of health and safety and contribute to the management of safe working practices. Ensure First aid and Fire marshal compliance.
• Be an ambassador of IN 'n' OUT Autocentres Ltd adhering to and where necessary explaining all relevant policies and procedures to new employees and ensuring all existing colleagues maintain standards set.
• Ensure centres follow company processes, operational standards, and service delivery requirements.
• Maintain full compliance with automotive industry standards and legal requirements.
• Ensure regular site audits are conducted to ensure compliance with relevant areas of the business and follow up on audit actions and ensure support is provided to centres in achieving corrective measures.
• Ensure vehicle and equipment compliance, maintenance schedules, and safety procedures are up to date.
• Ensure centres adhere to HR and company policies.
• Ensure the necessary internal training for all employees in every job function, ensuring total quality management is achieved. Where necessary train Centre Principals via Centre Training and Development Manager.
• Ensure that employees do not work on any product, or service that they have not been assessed as competent in or trained to carry out.
• Manage, develop and support Centre Principals with the introduction of new products and services such as Car Care packages.
• Protect internal and external centre presentation, ensuring overall cleanliness and colleague brand representation (uniform).
• Support Centre Managers with day‑to‑day operational challenges to maintain smooth running of centres.
• Ensure centres consistently deliver brand standards and a market‑leading customer experience.
• Support succession planning, recruitment, and retention activities.
• Identify operational issues early and escalation or resolve as appropriate.
• Support centres in resolving customer escalations when needed.
• Assist HR, where required, with any necessary investigatory meetings/disciplinary hearings.
• The identification, reporting and management through to closure of facility actions, namely general property issues and ensuring they adhere to requirements.
• Act as either a Centre Principal, or Assistant Manager in Centres when required.
• Assist with recommending and the sourcing of necessary training for employee development and business needs, including ATA & MOT courses.
• Carry out regular review/apraisal meetings with Centre Managers.
• Support and motivate Centre Principals and Centre Training & Development Manager.
• Champion a high‑performance culture focused on customer service, productivity, and quality.
• Demonstrate flexibility with working hours (including working on Saturdays) and be willing to work at multiple locations, and overnight stays were required.
• Maintain a professional appearance, wearing smart business attire.
• Carry out any other necessary administrative or ad hoc requirements to support smooth running of the business.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by your line manager to meet business needs.

• Has relevant Area Support experience.
• Great people management skills in process implementation and training. Should be approachable, proactive and confident.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to motivate, organise and plan.
• Can work on their own initiative, with the ability to problem solve and manage time effectively.
• Has a strong desire to drive business improvement.
• Has a good understanding of the business operations and the ability to promote change.
• Computer literate (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Flexible, the ability to work outside normal office hours and travel throughout the UK.
• A valid full driving licence.
• Strong operational background in automotive, mechanical, or technical service environments.
• Strong commercial skills with a track record of developing teams and improving performance.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent knowledge of compliance, Health & Safety, and industry standards.
• Ability to influence, coach, and support teams without direct line authority.
• Practical problem‑solver with strong organisational skills and attention to detail.