Store Manager - Chicago, Rush Street

Founded in 2008 by Los Angeles native Jeff Abrams, Rails has grown from a small label - started with just a single hat - into a full collection of women’s and men’s apparel. Sold at top international retailers and worn by a loyal following of celebrities and tastemakers, the brand has come to define a new classic heritage and relaxed sensibility. Rails is sold in 30 countries by more than 1000 retailers, including its own flagship stores in New York, San Francisco, Newport Beach, Paris, London and Amsterdam.

Summary:

The role of the Store Manager is to lead the store team to meet and exceed all sales and operational goals and ensure KPI’s are achieved. In addition, this fashion inclined individual is a passionate brand ambassador who is responsible for promoting brand engagement with clients and partners within their city. This managerial role will act as a key functional leader in the daily business operations of the store, including training and supervising employees, managing inventory levels and driving for results.

The Store Manager reports to the VP of Retail.

Responsibilities:

Strategic:

• Ensure floor coverage, financial targets, visual merchandising standards, client service, and operational functions within the store both front of house and back of house are achieved
• Drive financial success through understanding and action planning improvements within Retail KPI’s
• Create and execute business plans to accelerate the business forward and remedy opportunities

Culture:

• Be an ambassador to the brand and promote the culture of Rails internally and externally
• Ensure store atmosphere upholds the image of the brand

Client Centric:

• Ensure acquisition and retention of clients are key focuses and as such create and cultivate client relationships for the store and brand overall
• Be sure that you and your teams deliver the best possible client experience with every type of engagement (in store, virtual, alternate mediums)
• Solution oriented approach to finding resolutions to customer service issues

Marketing & Community:

• Create and bring to life activations/ events in the store that seek client acquisition and focus on client retention/ development
• Build a local network of tastemakers, stylists, marketing, business partners who have an impact on local that will promote brand and build client loyalty and retention

Team Leadership:

• Create and maintain a positive work environment with teams and throughout store network including cross functional partners
• Attract, retain talent from outside of the store
• Continually coach, motivate, train and develop internal teams so they achieve performance goals and are set up for success with growth opportunities within the organization
• Lead performance management initiatives with store teams
• Attend and lead store meetings as required by the business (Store Level and Corporate)
• Continually ensure that work schedules are aligned with store goals
• Ability to manage and resolve conflict in the workplace

Visuals:

• Ensure the image of the store is in line with corporate standards and store team is upholding these standards
• Ensure VM of the store is completed in accordance with VM guidelines, with a mindfulness of local business trends

Operations:

• Ensure all inventory initiatives are completed including receiving, return to warehouse, transfers, regular cycle counts, inventory reconciliation, and processing are completed in accordance to company guidelines as required
• Initiate and ensure the completion of merchandise receipts and transfer requests
• Protect all company assets including cash handling, inventory, expenses etc.
• Manage Client Consignment business, ensuring a quick turnaround, strong take rate, and timely return of merchandise
• Oversee omnichannel functions, including Order-in-Store, Ship-from-Store, Pickup-in-Store, Reserve-in-Store, with a focus on achieving Omni-specific KPIs
• Ensure that all the processes are compliant with legal, safety, and internal procedures
• Partner with cross functional partners including Stores within network, Operations, Visual Team, CRM, Retail Training, HR, Merchandise teams, Regional management to maintain and accelerate the business forward
• Additional projects/ responsibilities may arise in accordance with the needs of the business

Requirements:

• At least 2+ years of experience in a retail managerial position
• Fashion enthusiasts and retail experience within women’s and men’s apparel preferred
• Ability to effectively create, manage and adhere to deadlines
• Familiar with key retail performance indicators
• Adaptable, a sense of openness, active listener, and compassionate
• Advanced organizational skills, writing and communication skills
• Expertise in Microsoft Office 365 Suite
• Comfortable and savvy with computer technology, including PC and iOS devices
• Travel approximately 10% of the time
• Ability to climb ladders
• Ability to lift 25+ lbs.

Rails is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and building a diverse workplace in all its forms and considers candidates without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. As an equal opportunity employer we welcome and consider all qualified applicants.