Retail District Manager

Company Description

At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we’ve grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, 60+ retail stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. But today we’re working better, smarter and faster than ever—and setting our sights even higher. We’re building an infrastructure designed for scalability, embracing data-driven decision-making and using technology to improve efficiency and ensure the best tools for the best work. Most importantly, we continue to invest in a diverse team of inquisitive top talent who fuel each other’s passions and curiosity, take risks, try new things, and believe that every new day brings opportunities for growth.

Job Description

The District Manager has direct accountability for sales and financial performance, for a defined territory that could have up to 17 stores. The primary responsibilities include training and development of store teams, ensuring quality guest experiences, with consistency in execution resulting in sales and profitability achievement within their territory. This role reports directly to the Sr. Director of Stores.

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated individual with a passion for the retail industry with a focus on building the right store team thru recruiting, hiring and training. The right person will have excellent communication skills, with an ability to manage at all levels with their teams. Must have a take-charge personality and a talent for getting things done in a collaborative team environment. Your job will involve travel between locations interacting with dynamic and diverse store teams.

A critical element of this role is a strong business acumen, must be able provide analysis of business reporting utilizing trend, exception and financial statements. This position works in close collaboration with high-level executives to plan, strategize and execute store goals. The District Manager is a liaison between our corporate offices and the stores in your territory/region, you are the primary channel through which all policies, procedures and expectations are sent and maintained.

A day on the job looks like this:

Building Talent

• Recruit, train and develop a diverse, engaged, and motivated team with leadership accountability
• Strong focus on team building, recognition, motivation and employee growth through development
• Foster a collaborative team atmosphere and positive work environment throughout your territory

Sales and Service Standards

• Set the pace...lead your retail teams by example, prioritize daily objectives for each store
• Achieve territory sales plan through excellent guest service and memorable store experiences
• Consistent and frequent communication among peers, store management and store teams
• Accountable for leading a sales driven culture with performance achievement among store teams
• Responsible for networking with education partners in the community. Such as local schools, daycares etc.

Operational Focus

• Work with store management teams to maximize sales and profitability while maintaining operational controls, proactively corrects operational inefficiencies with supportive solutions
• Partners with challenged operational stores to develop actions to resolve identified opportunities
• Consistent focus on strategies and execution for Loss Prevention, Inventory Shrink and Safety
• Ensures compliance issues are executed timely and with accuracy throughout the territory
• Weekly review of store schedules ensuring support of customer experience and business trends

Qualifications

Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for:

• 3-5 years of related multi-unit retail sales management experience
• Ability to travel throughout assigned territory up to 75% of each week
• Capacity to work flexible schedules, including some nights and weekends
• Proven track record that shows organizational and administrative abilities
• Business acumen with an ability to identify sales opportunities through reporting analysis
• Capacity to provide transparent, consistent and clear feedback to team
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Proficiency in Word, Excel and Microsoft Office
• Passion for providing excellent guest experiences with a focus on service, leading by example
• Exceptional time management skills and ability to work productively from remote locations
• Ability to demonstrate company standards and reinforce them with entire team
• Effective conflict management skills resul