Head of Region – Retail

Location – South East  

Salary  - Depending on experience  

Hours  Monday – Friday 40hrs per week with some flexibility  

Lead with heart. Drive with purpose. Grow remarkable retail. 

Purpose

To lead several regions of shops, supporting a team of Area Leaders, Shop Leaders, and Franchisees (and their teams) with inspiring leadership, people engagement, and operational excellence. You will directly support a team of Area Leaders, playing a key role in delivering our retail strategy with our Retail Director, and always making sure that the ‘Customer’ is at the heart of everything.

We're looking for a dynamic and values-driven leader to head up multiple regions across our COOK shops. You'll inspire and support Area Leaders, Shop Leaders, Franchisees and their teams—driving commercial success, nurturing talent, and delivering brilliant customer experiences.

Reporting to the Retail Director, you’ll play a key role in delivering our retail strategy and building a culture rooted in care, collaboration, and performance.

What you’ll be doing‿

Leadership & Team Development 

• Lead a team of Area Leaders, supporting their development and the impact they make within their areas.
• Directly lead an area of shops, ensuring high standards and engagement across Shop Leaders, Franchisees, and their teams.
• Foster leadership excellence, succession planning, and people growth throughout the region.
• Represent regional teams’ perspectives to the wider business.
• Promote a culture of inclusivity, trust, performance, and shared purpose.

Commercial & Operational Responsibility 

• Contribute to and deliver COOK’s business strategy as part of the Strategy Team.
• Support Area Leaders in meeting sales, profit, and KPI targets across their areas.
• Own the commercial performance of your direct shop area, ensuring sales targets are met, overheads are managed on the P&L, and retail KPIs are delivered.
• Monitor and analyse regional trends, sharing insights to inform strategy and improvement plans.
• Lead or contribute to strategic projects and pilots within the retail business.

Operational & Business Growth Responsibility 

• Ensure consistency in shop standards, hospitality, and customer experience across the region.
• Support Area Leaders with new shop openings, refits, and estate planning.
• Take ownership of complex people or performance issues within the region.
• Champion operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Adapt regional plans and leadership priorities in response to business needs and seasonal peaks.

What You’ll Bring:

• Multi-site leadership experience in retail or hospitality.
• Commercial sharpness with a real love of performance and standards.
• Outstanding people leadership, coaching, and communication skills.
• A natural relationship builder with high emotional intelligence.
• A true team player who leads by example and brings our values to life.
• Full UK driving licence and car—you’ll be out visiting your teams regularly!

If you tick most of these boxes but not all—don’t stress. We’re all about potential. 

This is more than a leadership role. It’s your chance to inspire, grow, and shape the future of COOK retail. Ready to lead something remarkable?

Excellent Benefits including 

• Paid breaks 
• Paid leave on your birthdays, moving house, become grandparent or your child starts school for the first time 
• staff profit share 
• Wellbeing program 
• 30% staff discount 
• Access to CookieJar Smart Spending discounts and free food perks. 
• Team meals , events & away days 
• Be part of a B-Corp-certified business that values sustainability, people, and the community. 

And many more ‿. 

 What Cook is About 

We’re a proudly independent, family-owned B Corp, which basically means we care. A lot. About our food. About our people. And about doing the right thing—even when it’s not the easy thing. 

Our vision for COOK has always been that we are a place where EVERYONE is welcome. We want everyone to feel like they belong at COOK. We all have different roles, different abilities and different personalities. By collaborating we can do remarkable things. Whatever your story, if you would like to grow with COOK please apply. 

INDHP