| Description |
The Position
The Vice President – Store Operations will have primary responsibility to be the leader of the field organization and to create and execute programs and strategies that increase customer service efficiencies and satisfaction resulting in achieving revenue and earnings targets. He/she will develop teams and management in a retail company that is executing a rapid growth plan while maintaining the quality of customer service and community involvement. He/she will promote the company brand and concept through the development of active community relationships. Most importantly, this executive will bring best practices operating procedures and policies which will help this company prepare for and be able to meet its aggressive growth plans.
Specific responsibilities include:
1. Serve as the line executive responsible for the field organization and for establishing the direction for the stores organization, including setting goals and establishing a methodology for measurement of performance against those goals. An important part of this will be to set standards to achieve the new branding program. This will include setting standards for merchandise presentation, customer service, and the overall customer experience.
2. Lead the store organization to ensure that the appropriate talent is recruited and developed to support the company’s aggressive expansion program. Ensure effective evaluations of each member of the field organization as well as appropriate programs to provide for the development of field executives and that those executives who do not meet standards are counseled and/or removed. Most importantly, establish a profile for associates who will interface with customers and ensure that this profile provides service that matches the brand.
3. Establish effective communications processes up, down, and across the field organization to communicate the field’s needs to the management team and other functional areas. In return, make sure communication from other functional areas is received and understood by the field organization.
4. Lead in the development of operating and capital budgets for the field. Manage to those budgets.
5. Maintain an awareness of market conditions in each market served by the company. Keep the company and the field organization aware of changes which might impact the business. Provide analysis and merchandising recommendations on product presentation, extensions, pricing, costs reductions, and competition.
6. Provide guidance to the field organization to ensure that the product and merchandise efforts are coordinated to maintain necessary inventory on the sales floor. Also provide guidance to the field in terms of merchandise presentation.
7. Work closely with the company to help determine new markets in which to locate stores as well as opportunities to back fill in existing markets.
8. Build a culture which embodies the new brand strategies and the company’s operating philosophy and operating standards. This includes an active commitment to community involvement.
Reporting Relationship
The Vice President – Store Operations will report directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer. At this time the Store Managers will report directly to the Vice President – Stores. As a field structure is established, the Store Managers will replace to District and/or Regional Managers.
CANDIDATE
Experience
The executive we seek will have 10 years experience in store operations/sales management in a specialty retail environment known for best operating practices, strong customer service standards and an energized selling culture with the last two years in a senior level role. Our preference is for fashion and/or footwear retail experience in an organization that has primary locations in strip centers and has experienced growth. The successful candidate must have a proven track record of driving sales and a positive in-store experience for a major part of his/her career. We require someone who has been a zealot for customer service and selling and who knows how to coach and be the cheerleader of the company experience and vision throughout the field organization and to drive day-to-day results.
Personal Characteristics
Above all, the Vice President –Store Operations must have the ability to function immediately and effectively in a very entrepreneurial environment. To do so requires intelligence, quickness, decisiveness, and the ability to roll up his/her sleeves to get whatever job done that is necessary. He/she must have strong interpersonal skills and recognize the importance of establishing excellent working relationships at all levels of the company so that each person can maximize his/her contribution to the organization’s overall goals and objectives.
The rapidly growing and increasingly sophisticated organization requires a Vice President –Store Operations who is a highly self-energized leader. He/she must be able to make decisions either with his/her staff or on his/her feet as the situation demands, and understand the implications of those decisions for the entire company. The successful candidate will be a highly analytical, strategic thinker, and will have the ability to juggle priorities and the willingness to accept and carry out a heavy workload. He/she will require good oral and written communications skills and be particularly adept in explaining his/her thoughts in a clear and concise manner. Most importantly, this executive must be able to communicate the sales and customer service vision for the company and to see that the vision is understood by all and executed to required standards. The individual will have strong management and leadership skills with the ability to take on additional responsibilities as the company continues its rapid growth. This executive must focus on the field; therefore, this executive must be able to and willing to travel extensively.
Education
A college degree is required.
COMPENSATION
The compensation package is structured to attract superior candidates. It consists of base, bonus and stock options. The major incentive is to accumulate wealth through the successful growth of the company.
CONTACT
Please e-mail your resume to candidate@plummersearch.com.
Or Fax: (203) 838-0887
Plummer & Associates is a retained executive search firm that serves the leading businesses in specialty retailing, e-commerce, retail services, direct marketing, catalogs, and food service.
Over 20% of our assignments are the CEO and COO level. The remainder is the key functional head level.
Plummer & Associates is listed as one of the Top 100 Executive Recruiters in North America in John Sibbald’s best seller "The New Career Makers".
"The Rites of Passage at $100.000 Plus”, the world's number one selling book on executive job changing and career management, lists Plummer & Associates as a Rites-Honored Recruiter.
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