Area Sales Manager in Training

The Area Sales Manager in Training (ASMIT) program at FDE LLC, d/b/a Ashley Northeast is a structured, competency-based leadership development experience designed to prepare high-performing retail leaders for promotion into an Area Sales Manager role. The program combines hands-on, multi-store leadership development with classroom learning, coaching, and progressively increased responsibility.

Location

Garden City, NY (onsite).

Salary

USD 50,000 - 100,000 per year.

Program Overview

The ASMIT program is competency-based and provides immersive, multi-store leadership experience. As participants demonstrate mastery, they progressively assume greater leadership responsibility. The program includes rotations across assigned markets to build understanding of operational rhythms and leadership expectations across multiple retail locations.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in a structured leadership development program built to prepare for multi-store leadership responsibilities.
• Partner with Regional Sales Directors and Area Sales Managers to gain practical experience leading multiple retail locations.
• Demonstrate continuous growth through coaching, mentorship, classroom learning, and real-world business application.
• Progressively assume increased leadership responsibility based on demonstrated performance and readiness.
• Rotate throughout assigned markets to understand operations and leadership expectations across multiple retail locations.
• Learn to evaluate store performance using operational audits, business reviews, guest experience observations, and leadership coaching.
• Support store leaders in maintaining operational excellence, merchandising standards, organizational clarity, and company initiatives.
• Participate in store openings, remodels, leadership transitions, and special business initiatives.
• Develop the ability to coach and influence General Sales Managers and Store Managers to improve individual and team performance.
• Identify performance opportunities and execute action plans that improve sales results across multiple locations.
• Support execution of company sales initiatives, promotional events, product launches, and strategic business priorities.
• Reinforce execution of the FDE Sales Process, leadership expectations, and coaching cadence.
• Learn to recruit, interview, hire, onboard, coach, develop, and retain top-performing leaders.
• Participate in succession planning discussions and leadership talent reviews.
• Observe and assist with performance management, accountability conversations, recognition, and career development planning.
• Build the ability to create high-performing cultures rooted in FDE’s Mission, Strategic Anchors, and leadership expectations.
• Develop proficiency in financial statements, payroll management, labor planning, controllable expenses, profitability, and market performance.
• Analyze business trends to identify opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
• Participate in weekly, monthly, and quarterly business reviews to understand enterprise performance and how decisions affect store-level and enterprise-wide outcomes.
• Build collaborative partnerships with Operations, Training, Merchandising, Human Resources, Marketing, Guest Experience, Inventory, and Finance.
• Support communication between corporate departments and field leadership to ensure alignment and execution.
• Champion Amazing White Glove Service by ensuring stores deliver an exceptional shopping experience.
• Observe guest interactions to identify coaching opportunities that improve conversion, satisfaction, and loyalty.
• Support leaders in maintaining guest-ready showrooms reflecting Ashley brand standards and FDE expectations.
• Develop proficiency in multi-store success key performance indicators including Sales Budget Achievement, Close Rate, Sales Per Guest, Average Sale, Sleep Performance, Protection Performance, Financing Application Percentage, Team Opportunity Split, Net Margin, Payroll Management, Controllable Expenses, Net Promoter Score (NPS), Talent Retention, and Leadership Bench Strength.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive retail sales and sales leadership experience in a high-volume, customer-focused organization required (preferably furniture retail, specialty retail, or hospitality).
• 1 to 3 years of multi-unit leadership experience preferred, or demonstrated success leading a high-performing flagship location, large-format store, or complex retail operation with readiness for expanded responsibility.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, Organizational Leadership, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and progressive leadership experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated history of increasing leadership responsibility and career progression through consistent performance and results.
• Proven success developing leaders, building high-performing teams, and driving measurable improvements in sales performance, profitability, and guest satisfaction.
• Experience recruiting, coaching, developing, and retaining leadership talent while fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned market and relocate for future leadership opportunities if business needs require.

Benefits

• Training Salary of $100,000 annually based on qualifications and relevant experience.
• $90,000+ Company Bonus earnings potential based on assigned stores.
• Potential bonus earnings range of $50,000 - $100,000 on top of base salary.
• 401(k) program with company match.
• Paid Time Off and holiday pay, including your birthday.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits starting as low as $25 per week.
• Eligibility for up to $1,000 for referring qualified candidates for open positions.
• Eligibility for the FDE G3 Profit-Sharing Program, designed to reward disciplined execution, responsible growth, and shared company success through annual incentive payouts.

Program Phases

Phase 1 – Foundation (30–60 days)

• Objective: Understand the business.
• Focus Areas: FDE Mission, Vision, Strategic Anchors, and Leadership Expectations; multi-store operational standards; financial fundamentals; business reporting; sales KPI analysis; leadership observations; shadow area sales managers and regional sales directors.
• Milestone: Demonstrate understanding of how business performance is measured and how Area Sales Managers influence results.

Phase 2 – Leadership Application (60–120 days)

• Objective: Begin leading with guidance.
• Focus Areas: Conduct store visits; lead business reviews; coach General Sales Managers; analyze KPI performance; participate in recruiting and succession planning; develop performance improvement plans; execute strategic initiatives.
• Milestone: Successfully lead portions of a market under executive mentorship while demonstrating sound judgment and leadership behaviors.

Phase 3 – Market Leadership (120–180 days)

• Objective: Operate as an Area Sales Manager with executive oversight.
• Focus Areas: Independently manage assigned stores; lead district meetings; coach leadership teams; drive financial performance; execute talent strategies; resolve operational challenges; build cross-functional partnerships.
• Milestone: Consistently demonstrate readiness to independently lead a multi-store market.

Graduation and Placement

Program graduation is based on demonstrated competency in leadership pillars including Strategic Leadership, Business Acumen, Financial Management, Sales Leadership, Talent Development, Operational Excellence, Guest Experience, Coaching & Accountability, Cross-Functional Partnership, and Living the FDE Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategic Anchors.

Successful completion does not guarantee immediate placement into an Area Sales Manager position. Promotion decisions are based on demonstrated readiness, sustained performance, and organizational business needs.

Schedule and Travel Expectations

• Scheduled to work a minimum of 45 hours per week, including Saturdays and/or Sundays based on business needs; hours may increase during holidays, promotional events, blackout periods, leadership coverage, store openings, or other business needs.
• Regular travel throughout the assigned market is an essential function and required to support leadership development across multiple retail locations.
• Travel required up to 75%, including overnight travel when necessary for training, leadership meetings, store visits, new store openings, special projects, and business initiatives.
• Flexibility to work varying schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on the needs of the business.
• Regular attendance at assigned stores, corporate meetings, leadership training, and development activities is an essential function of this position.