Kiel Simpson
Manchester,North West
Summary
Strategic Area Manager with 20 years retail experience specialising in P&L management and commercial planning. Drives revenue growth while optimising operational costs to maximise profitability. Enhances brand performance and customer experience through cross-functional collaboration. Leads multi-site operations, achieving gross sales of £135m, and develops high-performing teams through coaching and effective talent development. These attributes have lead to me successfully opening the largest JD Sports store in the World in 2025.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Area Manager
JD Sports
10.2006 - Current
- Held full P&L accountability across the area, managing revenue growth, margin, labour, and operational costs to optimise commercial performance and meet financial targets.
- Directed sales and operations across multi site locations generating gross sales of £135m.
- Coordinated team of over 1000 employees with 10 direct reports to enhance sales performance and customer experience while achieving KPIs.
- Developed and implemented people strategy across the area, coaching and empowering managers, identifying future talent, and building succession plans to support long-term business growth.
- Collaborated cross functionally with Buying, Merchandising and Marketing to maximise footfall, product availability and strengthen overall brand performance.
Education
West Hill School
Stalybridge, TAMSkills
- P&L management
- Profit growth
- KPI & Performance management
- Multi-Site Leadership
- Commercial Planning
- Project management
- Strategy development
- Talent Development
- Performance management
Accomplishments
- Improved Area profitability by managing sales performance and operating costs.
- Developed high performing leadership teams some of which are now in senior rolls within the business themselves.
- Awarded Area Manager of the years twice in the last 3 years.
- One of only 12 people selected across the business for an in house senior leadership program.
Timeline
Area Manager
JD Sports
10.2006 - Current
West Hill School