Store Director in Training - American Freight

Great home furnishings—and great careers—start at American Freight. Founded in 1994, today we have more than 370 direct-to-consumer, warehouse-style stores. As one of the fastest-growing US retailers specializing in furniture, mattresses, and appliances, now is the perfect time to join our team of more than 3,500 employees. We foster an inclusive culture and work hard to retain top talent. Our focus on promoting from within has led to hundreds of internal advancements into management and leadership positions. In the past three years we’ve opened nearly 200 American Freight stores, with more to come in the days ahead. Our story is still unfolding, come grow with us!

The Store Director in Training is responsible for learning to lead leading all aspects of the store. This will include overseeing staffing, sales, merchandising, operations, and all other functions within the store, by managing a team of salaried, full-time, and part-time hourly associates. The Store Director in Training will learn to be responsible for the overall financial performance of the store, including achieving planned sales, margin, and profit goals. Additionally, the Store Director in Training will learn to be accountable for customer satisfaction, associate morale, and inventory management.  The Store Director in Training must be relocatable within the Central, IL area market.

Responsibilities & Duties:

Driving Sales and Store Performance:

• Role models behaviors for all members of their assigned District Team. Owns and promotes our Code of Conduct, established standards, and responsible for developing and maintaining American Freight cultural values across all team members.
• Responsible for hiring, training, and developing a highly productive and diverse team of managers and associates.
• Leads the store to ensure achievement of financial goals that include but are not limited to revenue, margin, expense, cost recovery, customer satisfaction, and inventory shrinkage.
• Directly oversees all sales related initiatives including implementation of the defined selling process, achievement of sales targets, financing targets, protection plan targets and other miscellaneous income opportunities within store.
• Oversees and manages the Operations Manager, to ensure all operations of the business meet standards and expectations.  This includes, but is not limited to warehouse operations, delivery operations, inventory management and execution of daily tasks and activities assigned to the store location.
• Ensures execution of all Retail Non-Negotiable Standards.  This includes but is not limited to staffing standards, brand standards, presentation/signing standards, selling processes, inventory management processes and others as defined.
• Manages the overall customer experience, including the in-store experience, response to online customer reviews, resolution of customer complaints, and other customer issues as they arise.
• Partners with District Manager to address business opportunities within the store.

Managerial:

• Hires and maintains an active and productive sales force, and works with Operations Manager to ensure store is staffed to standard with a  productive warehouse team and delivery team. Selects, coaches, and develops a diverse high-performance team.
• Manages all in-store Human Resources processes including staffing, training, and reporting performance/behavioral issues; assists in action plans to improve performance in a timely manner. Partners with Corporate HR as needed.

Administrative:

• Enforces and adheres to scheduling policies that keep the store properly staffed.
• Ensures store presentation standards and brand standards are maintained.
• Provides a safe working environment for both associates and customers by adhering to company shrink and safety standards.
• Ensures that the store operates in full compliance with applicable laws, regulations,
  and company ethics policies.
• Works with Operations Manager to ensure receiving paperwork and other inventory documentation is being maintained, within the guidelines and deadlines established.  This includes, but is not limited to:
• Entering trucks and confirming pickup/delivery dates.
• Ensure integrity of receiving process and reverse flow process
• Always maintains inventory accuracy and with inventory scans; manages online order fulfillment process.
• Manages opening and closing procedures; including taking cash deposits to bank.
• Manages all other store operations, pricing, and inventory management processes.
• Assumes other District leadership responsibilities, such as mentoring/subject matter expert, etc., at the direction of the District Manager.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Educational: High School Diploma or Equivalent required, bachelor’s degree preferred
• 3-4 Years of Related Experience or previous Sales Associate experience preferred.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and most weekends.
• Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs.

Preferred Skills:

• Strong leadership, coaching, and associate development skills.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Persuasion, negotiation, and closing skills.

• Computer literacy, with Excel/Word/Handheld Unit experience preferred.

• Strong drive for results and a proactive style of leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Knowledge of retail business and store operations

American Freight is an equal opportunity employer. We respect diversity and accordingly are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, separation, recruitment, pay and other forms of compensation, access to facilities and programs, training and general treatment during employment.