Position Summary

Position Overview:

The Store Manager is responsible for the overall management and execution of operational and management functions designed to maximize sales and profitability within an assigned store location. All positions assigned to work at the designated store location report to the Store Manager.

Major Responsibilities and/or Essential Functions

Driving Sales

• Act as a true business owner
• Drive sales to achieve and exceed financial plan
• Evaluates the business and takes proactive steps to improve results
• Set and monitor store goals (individual, daily, weekly)
• Manage store expenses
• Ensure all funds and merchandise are handled according to Company policy and procedure
• Maintain final report accountability for store operations, associate development and financial contribution
• Effectively manage merchandise

Marketing Initiatives

• Utilizes social media to drive traffic to stores for events, recruiting and generation of traffic
• Schedule a minimum of 1 grass-root event per quarter
• Drive PLCC and email capture
• Constantly building relationships with community, churches and retailers

Customer Experience

• Provide an exceptional customer service experience to all customers
• Properly zone store for optimum selling and customer experience
• Serve as product knowledge expert to educate customers and Associates
• Hold all Associates accountable for product knowledge including features and benefits
• Successfully model the Company values; hold all Associates accountable to do the same
• Develop staff to ensure exceptional customer service through Customer Experience

Operations

• Ensure all Company policies and procedures are effectively communicated to Associates and maintained and followed in a consistent manner. Follows all guidelines outlined in the Policy and Procedures Manual to create and maintain a safe and pleasant environment for customers and Associates
• Organize work throughout the store in a manner that facilitates efficient customer service and profitable operation
• Maintain a consistent level of service to the customer by ensuring all store staffing requirements
• Process payroll in an accurate and timely manner
• Execute merchandise displays and visuals to enhance the Brand
• Place supply orders and monitor store inventory levels

Team Development

• Responsible for the recruitment, interviewing and hiring and new hire orientation for Associates in your store
• Train and develop Associates to ensure bench strength, career paths and succession
• Expect and encourage full participation from Associates in meeting store goals and developing plans to do so
• Conduct Take 5’s to ensure all Associates are updated on daily Company and store communications
• Hold all Associates accountable to Ashley Stewart’s policies and procedures through coaching/counseling, coaching moments and on-going feedback
• Resolve Associate complaints and concerns, provides ongoing performance feedback, conducts formal performance and salary reviews and counsels Associates when necessary.
• Partner with DSM and HR on all training and developmental needs
• Partner with DSM and HR on disciplinary actions, coaching conversations and performance management
• Effectively manage time for self and Associates

Knowledge, Skills, & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent (Associate Degree or higher preferred)
• Minimum of 4 years prior retail management experience with at least 2 years experience as a Store Manager
• Work a flexible schedule to include some holidays, most weekends and/or late evenings
• Demonstrates drive and high level of initiative and willingness to be accountable; shows passion for the product and our business
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers, associates, supervisors and Corporate Office partners, both orally and in writing
• Experience recruiting, training, coaching & developing store associates
• Ability to successfully merchandise the store to drive sales
• Detail oriented with proven ability to prioritize initiatives and meet deadlines
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to apply retail math skills
• Excellent computer skills and ability to use a POS system

Essential Work Requirements:

This position requires the ability to:

• Ability to lift 30 lbs, pushing, pulling, bending and stretching frequently
• Stand for periods of 8 – 10 hours a day
• Use ladders or other equipment, for the purpose of store and merchandising maintenance
• Work a flexible schedule to include some holidays, most weekends and/or late evenings
• Minimal travel may be required, e.g. district meetings, banking duties

Interaction; (peer, supervisor, direct reports)

Daily interaction across all divisions/levels

Organization Chart (reports to)

DSM

Brand Overview:

Ashley Stewart was founded in 1991. Beginning with the first store in Brooklyn, New York, the Ashley Stewart brand captured the hearts and minds of women searching for fashion-forward, well-tailored but affordable clothing in an easily accessible and welcoming environment. Today, our customers are able to shop the brand in retail stores across the United States and on-line through our website, www.ashleystewart.com. The website has enabled Ashley Stewart to grow internationally and customers are now able to interact with fellow customers across many different forms of social media. Ashley Stewart will continue to deliver fashion forward style and flattering fit for the trend-savvy, curvy and confident woman.

Our Philosophy:

We believe in a set of core values grounded in fair play, hard work, teamwork and integrity. We believe that success comes from a group of people planning and executing in unison each and every day. We believe that Ashley Stewart exists solely because our customers trust and believe in what the brand stands for. Ashley Stewart stands for confidence, self-esteem, sexiness, class, and sisterhood. Everything we do as a Company is for our customer. Our customer looks at each and every employee as if she/he is Ashley Stewart, a trusted confidante and best friend. Ashley Stewart is as much about a shopping experience, whether it is in the stores or on-line, as it is about merchandise. Ashley Stewart stands for confidence and acceptance.