At Factory Direct Enterprises LLC d/b/a Ashley (FDE), we are committed to "Amazing" our Team Members by supporting their journey toward becoming their best selves. This commitment is reflected in our competitive compensation, benefits, culture, and growth opportunities, all of which align with our vision of being the employer of choice in every community we serve.
Who We Are:
- #1 Selling Furniture Brand in the World
- #1 Retailer of Furniture and Bedding in the United States
As an industry leader, we offer the best compensation package in the furniture industry, including:
- Competitive Training Salary: Training Salary $100,000 annually based on qualifications and relevant experience.
- Salary Upon Completion of the Program: $90,000 + Company Bonus Earnings potential based on Assigned Stores. Potential Bonuses Earnings range from $50,000 - $100,000 on top of base salary.
- 401(k) Program: with a company match.
- Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay, including your birthday.
- Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits starting as low as $25 a week.
- Referral Bonuses: Earn up to $1,000 for referring qualified candidates for open positions.
- Competitive Advantage: Eligibility for the FDE G3 Profit-Sharing Program, designed to reward disciplined execution, responsible growth, and shared company success through annual incentive payouts.
Our Culture and Team Member Programs: At FDE, we pride ourselves on a culture of recognition and growth. We believe in investing in our team and value their feedback through programs like Employee Surveys. Our Ashley Cares programs highlight our commitment to our team, our guests, and our communities, including:
- Hope to Dream: For every mattress sold, a portion of the proceeds is used to purchase and donate beds to children in need (ages 3-16).
- Give a Day: Every Team Member is encouraged to volunteer for one day per year with an approved organization, and we'll pay you for that day.
- Corporate Chaplains: Providing support in areas such as grief care, hospital visits, marriage and parenting support, aging parents, and stress management.
- Life Resources: Quarterly events supporting Team Members in areas like finances, relationships, health, and wellness.
- Team Member Relief Fund: Offering financial support for unexpected life events.
- SmartDollar: A FREE financial wellness program to help you budget, reduce debt, and save for the future.
ROLE SUMMARY
The Area Sales Manager in Training (ASMIT) is a structured leadership development program designed to prepare high-performing retail leaders for promotion into an Area Sales Manager role at Factory Direct Enterprises dba Ashley.
This role provides immersive, hands-on experience leading multiple retail locations while developing the strategic leadership, business acumen, financial management, and coaching capabilities required to successfully oversee a multi-store market. Working alongside Regional Sales Directors and Area Sales Managers, the ASMIT progressively assumes increasing responsibility while learning how to drive profitable sales growth, develop exceptional leaders, execute operational excellence, and deliver Amazing White Glove Service across multiple locations.
Throughout the program, participants rotate through all facets of multi-store leadership, gaining experience in talent development, recruiting, succession planning, financial performance, operational execution, merchandising, guest experience, and organizational leadership.
Successful completion of the program is based on demonstrated competency—not tenure—and prepares participants for placement into an Area Sales Manager position as business needs arise.
Essential Functions
Leadership Development
- Participate in a structured leadership development program designed 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 throughout the program based on demonstrated performance and readiness.
Multi-Store Operations
- Rotate throughout assigned markets to understand the operational rhythms and leadership expectations of multiple retail locations.
- Learn to evaluate store performance through 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.
Sales Leadership
- Develop the ability to coach and influence General Sales Managers and Store Managers to improve individual and team performance.
- Learn to 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.
Talent Development
- Learn how 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.
Financial & Business Leadership
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of financial statements, payroll management, labor planning, controllable expenses, profitability, and market performance.
- Analyze business trends to identify opportunities that improve profitability and operational efficiency.
- Participate in weekly, monthly, and quarterly business reviews to understand enterprise performance.
- Learn how strategic decisions impact both store-level and enterprise-wide results.
Cross-Functional Partnership
- Build collaborative partnerships with Operations, Training, Merchandising, Human Resources, Marketing, Guest Experience, Inventory, and Finance.
- Participate in enterprise initiatives that strengthen operational consistency and improve the overall guest experience.
- Support communication between corporate departments and field leadership to ensure alignment and execution.
Guest Experience
- Champion Amazing White Glove Service by ensuring stores consistently 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 that reflect Ashley brand standards and FDE expectations.
Performance Metrics
Develop proficiency in understanding, influencing, and improving the key performance indicators that drive multi-store success, 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
- Leadership Bench Strength
Area Sales Manager in Training Program Design
Unlike a traditional training program, the ASMIT Program is a competency-based leadership development experience. Participants advance by demonstrating mastery of leadership expectations rather than simply completing time in role.
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.
Program Graduation
Graduation from the Area Sales Manager in Training Program is achieved through demonstrated competency in the following leadership pillars:
- Strategic Leadership
- Business Acumen
- Financial Management
- Sales Leadership
- Talent Development
- Operational Excellence
- Guest Experience
- Coaching & Accountability
- Cross-Functional Partnership
- Living the FDE Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategic Anchors
Successful completion of the program 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 Expectations
- Scheduled to work a minimum of 45 hours per week, including Saturdays and/or Sundays based on business needs. The number of hours worked 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 of the Area Sales Manager in Training program and is required to support leadership development across multiple retail locations.
- Travel is 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.
Education & Experience Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, Organizational Leadership, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and progressive leadership experience will be considered.
- Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressive retail sales and sales leadership experience in a high-volume, customer-focused organization required, preferably within furniture retail, specialty retail, or hospitality.
- One (1) to three (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 clear readiness for expanded responsibility.
- 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 a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned market and relocate for future leadership opportunities if business needs require.
- Candidates selected for the Area Sales Manager in Training Program have demonstrated exceptional leadership performance, consistently delivered strong business results, and exhibited the potential to lead multiple retail locations. Selection into the program is based on sustained performance, leadership capability, alignment with FDE's Mission and Strategic Anchors, and readiness to assume increasing levels of responsibility.
- This role is intended to prepare future Area Sales Managers through structured development, executive mentorship, and demonstrated competency. Successful completion of the program does not guarantee promotion; placement into an Area Sales Manager role is based on demonstrated readiness and organizational business needs. Summary
- At Factory Direct Enterprises LLC d/b/a Ashley (FDE), we are committed to "Amazing" our Team Members by supporting their journey toward becoming their best selves. This commitment is reflected in our competitive compensation, benefits, culture, and growth opportunities, all of which align with our vision of being the employer of choice in every community we serve.
