Director of Stores

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization

Director of Stores drives the profitable and sustainable market share growth for all Canada Retail stores through alignment to the overall Brand strategic business plan. Fosters genuine connections with stores teams, fleet leadership and consumers through inspirational relationship building to cultivate engagement and loyalty.  Consults and makes recommendations to the Head of Retail in the development of local policies and objectives that cover Retail employees, financial performance, and market growth. Through people first leadership, the Director of Stores inspires and motivates others resulting in a high-performance culture. 

 

Key Responsibilities / Authorities

• Create strategy for sustainable market growth that will be achieve profitability, margin, sales & service, and operational objectives.
• Maintain a proactive approach to strategy execution, and consistently communicate vertically and cross-functionally to ensure alignment of internal priorities and that resources are allocated appropriately to achieve desired results.
• Prepare and monitor annual/monthly sales forecasts, budgets, quotas, and other projections as required. Analyze sales records and trends in relation to objectives and competitive activities. 
• Assess data, feedback from the fleet of stores and consumer relationships to localize experiences staying within the guidelines of the retail strategy.
• Participate in the retail strategic planning process, annual business and budget planning, to formalize the planning process and produce corporate, departmental, and individual goals and objectives.
• Create and drive a high-performance culture by setting clear expectations and targets, analyzing stores performance, holding fleet leadership teams accountable and giving appropriate and timely feedback.
• Influence the tone for best-in-class consumer and associate experience, evaluate store performance and develop solutions to increase store productivity, workflow, and profitability through store visits.
• Manage store level execution through the District Managers to ensure maximization of sales and profit, outstanding customer service, compliance to policies and standards. 
• Lead, motivate and inspire the District Management team to achieve their business goals through setting clear and measurable objectives, developing their functional and relationship skills, and owning career progression planning for the team.
• Enable and support a best-in-class environment within retail fleet which provides acceptance, education and awareness on all topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Work effectively with the Head of Retail to ensure continuous innovation and development in every aspect of the business as well as effective day-to-day communications.
• Build and foster relationships with key partners within global retail teams.

 

• Key Relationships

• District Managers
• Regional Trainers
• Retail Fleet
• Merchandising/Planning & Allocation
• Store Development
• Retail Marketing
• Loss Prevention 
• Human Resources

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced proficiency in software applications such as MS Office
• Excellent verbal presentation and written communication skills with strong command of English language 
• Excellent relationship-building skills at all levels of the organization
• Exceptional and engaging leadership and management skills that quickly build both internal and external confidence in business direction
• Ability to portray a confident and winning attitude in challenging business interactions
• Strong knowledge of the Canadian retail landscape
• Strategic, self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced and structured environment 
• Knowledge and understanding of profit and loss statement and store Key Performance Indicators to make commercial decisions based on sound financial judgment. 
• Excellent time management and problem-solving skills as well as the ability to use good judgment and make strong independent decisions 
• Ability to travel up to 40% of the time (nationally, regionally)  

 

Requisite Educationa and Experience / Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a college or university 
• 10+ years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience 
• Minimum of 5 years people leadership experience
• Experience working for a sporting goods and fashion retailer with a primary emphasis/responsibility of a full price business