Area Manager - Ontario

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Best Workplaces™ in Retail & Hospitality 2025

Area Manager, Ontario

Reports to: Regional Director of Operations

Location: Toronto, Ontario

We are looking for an Area Manager to join our Operations Team in Ontario. This position reports to the Regional Director and will be working closely with the Support Team to ensure retail franchise bakeries are operating to COBS Bread’s leading standards of providing top quality, fresh baked product and great customer service. If you thrive at the opportunity to be advisor for a group of franchise operators and are passionate about making an impact to the local community, we want to hear from you!

Responsibilities include:

• Managing franchisee relationships to build trust, reach common goals, and influence positive change.
• Work hands-on with each franchise operator to analyze opportunities for improvement, develop action plans and improve their COBS Bread businesses
• Maximize sales growth through bakery customer satisfaction and engagement
• Build bakery profitability and franchisee financial health.
• Lead, coach and act as an advisor for a group of franchise operators
• Ensuring bakeries are compliant with COBS brand standards
• Work with the Franchising and Training team to coordinate new franchisee training
• Supports bakery handover and bakery opening process to ensure the success of new operators

• Drive operational excellence in order to maximize our franchisees’ sales, profitability and customer satisfaction
• Ensure successful implementation of COBS Bread’s marketing, product and systems initiatives and improvements across a large number of retail franchise locations

Requirements

What You Bring to the Table:

• A high-energy, positive attitude with the ability to quickly develop trust and meaningful relationships
• 2+ years’ experience in a franchise retail environment or multi-site retail management experience

• 5+ years’ managerial experience, ideally in the food service, hospitality or franchise industry
• Skilled in analyzing financial results and performance metrics, and translating strategic concepts into actionable plans
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel frequently and spend time ‘in the field’ rather than behind a desk
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to influence others in order to affect change and drive constant improvement

• A good tolerance for multi-tasking and managing competing priorities;
• Can work autonomously, take risks and exercise sound judgement with minimal supervision and

• Excellent communication, problem- solving and conflict resolution skills and
• Degree with concentration in Business Management

Benefits

What’s in it for You:

• Competitive salary and vacation plan
• Both individualized and a company-wide bonus plans
• A great Extended Health & Dental Benefit, Group RRSP Matching and Flexible Spending Account

• Paid sick and personal leave days
• Paid day for community service/volunteer time

• An open, ‘continuous-learning’ environment where professional development and career progression is encouraged

• Work within a dynamic, driven, high-achieving, close-knit and fun-loving team

• High level of autonomy and responsibility

We thank all applicants for their interest in COBS Bread but would like to advise that only applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.

About COBS Bread

With over 150 locations, COBS Bread serves fresh and delightful baked goods to communities across Canada. Any unsold items are donated daily to various local charities and food banks. The company's success can be attributed to the quality of our product, the development of our people and our warm and friendly customer service.

COBS Bread is part of Bakers Delight - Established in 1980 operating as Bakers Delight in Australia and New Zealand, and since 2003 as COBS Bread in Canada and the USA. Together we have grown to more than 700 bakeries across Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. The entire network employs over 15,000 people, serving more than 2.1 million customers each week.

Accessibility

Accommodation is available upon request for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you are contacted for a job opportunity, please advise us of any accommodations needed to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process. Any information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.