Retail Store Director

Store Director

The Store Director is the senior leader of a Tandy Leather flagship location, responsible for operating a high-performing retail business while serving as a flagship leader with the retail organization. Flagship locations represent the highest standards of customer experience, operational excellence, community engagement, and brand representation while providing opportunities to pilot, refine, and demonstrate new ideas that strengthen the future of the retail fleet.

The Store Director is accountable for driving sales, profitability, customer experience, talent development, and operational excellence while building a destination for the leathercraft community through exceptional customer experiences, meaningful partnerships, and a culture of learning.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, business judgment, and professionalism, the Store Director partners closely with corporate leaders across multiple functions to provide operational insight, pilot new initiatives, and help shape the future of Tandy retail experience. The Store Director leads by example, develops high-performing teams, and serves as a trusted ambassador for the Tandy Leather brand.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of flagship store performance, including sales, profitability, expenses, inventory, and customer experience.
• Develop and execute business strategies that drive sustainable sales growth and long-term profitability.
• Create and execute comprehensive quarterly business plans aligned with company priorities and measurable business objectives.
• Operate with a high level of autonomy, exercising sound business judgment while making decisions aligned with company strategy.
• Ensure flawless execution of company initiatives, operational standards, merchandising, and visual presentation.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve business performance through innovation, operational excellence, and customer insights.
• Maintain accountability for four-wall financial performance while balancing short-term execution with long-term business growth.
• Deliver an exceptional flagship customer experience that reflects the highest standards of the Tandy Leather brand.
• Build meaningful relationships with customers by providing expert product knowledge, creative solutions, and personalized service.
• Serve as a brand ambassador, representing Tandy Leather with professionalism, credibility, and enthusiasm.
• Foster a culture where exceptional customer service, craftsmanship, and product expertise drive customer loyalty and business growth.
• Ensure the flagship location consistently represents best-in-class execution, presentation, and customer engagement.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with leathercraft guilds, schools, makers, artists, veterans' organizations, community partners, and local businesses.
• Develop and execute community outreach initiatives that increase brand awareness, customer acquisition, and business growth.
• Lead workshops, demonstrations, classes, special events, and community experiences that position the flagship as a destination for leathercraft enthusiasts of every skill level.
• Identify opportunities to expand the store's presence within the local community while strengthening the Tandy Leather brand.
• Recruit, hire, develop, coach, and retain a high-performing team committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences.
• Create a culture of accountability, continuous learning, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Develop future leaders by providing coaching, performance feedback, and individual development opportunities.
• Build succession plans and maintain a strong talent pipeline for the flagship location.
• Lead by example, demonstrating Tandy's values, leadership expectations, and commitment to operational excellence.
• Partner with cross-functional corporate teams to support strategic business initiatives.
• Pilot and evaluate new programs, services, merchandising strategies, technologies, and operational processes that strengthen the retail business.
• Provide operational insight and actionable recommendations that improve customer experience, business performance, and future retail strategies.
• Share best practices, successful initiatives, and operational learnings that help elevate performance across the retail fleet.
• Balance innovation with disciplined execution, ensuring new ideas support both the flagship location and the long-term success of the company.
• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of leathercraft techniques, materials, tools, and Tandy Leather products.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and product expertise throughout the store team.
• Ensure customers have access to knowledgeable guidance and an exceptional learning experience, whether provided personally or through qualified team members.
• Support and promote leathercraft education through classes, demonstrations, workshops, and community engagement.
• Remain curious about emerging techniques, products, and trends within the leathercraft community.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum of five years of progressive retail leadership experience with demonstrated success leading high-performing teams.
• Proven ability to drive sales, profitability, customer experience, and operational excellence.
• Strong financial and business acumen with experience managing budgets, expenses, inventory, and business performance.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently while exercising sound business judgment and strategic decision-making.
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and talent development skills.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to collaborate across field and corporate teams.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships within the local community and represent the company professionally.
• Passion for leathercraft, craftsmanship, or creative hobbies, with a willingness to develop a deep understanding of Tandy Leather products and the leathercraft community.
• Passion for customer service, continuous learning, and developing others.
• Willingness to work varied schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on business needs.
• Basic computer proficiency and ability to learn company systems.

Physical Demands

• Constant moving and standing for extended periods.
• Lift and move merchandise and fixtures up to 30 pounds.
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, climb ladders, and reach overhead.
• Ability to perform repetitive movements associated with retail operations and merchandising.
• Close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At Tandy, our diversity is our strength, and we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive workplace for all employees regardless of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. Tandy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

About Tandy

Tandy Leather Factory, Inc., headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, has been the trusted source for leathercraft products since 1919. Tandy is a specialty retailer of leather, leatherworking tools, hardware, dyes, finishes, kits, and related products, serving customers through more than 100 retail locations across the United States, Canada, and Spain. Tandy Leather is dedicated to inspiring makers of all skill levels while preserving and advancing the art of leathercraft.