Retail Operations Manager

Company Description

Käthe Wohlfahrt is the premiere source of high-quality Christmas items handcrafted in Germany. Preserving and supporting traditional German craftsmanship since 1977, Käthe Wohlfahrt offers its exclusive products to North American audiences through its Web site, ChristmasFromGermany.com, a brick-and-mortar store in Stillwater, MN and Seasonal Christmas Market locations across the United States and Canada. The White Bear Lake headquarters consists of 8 full-time team member & up to 12 part-time fulfillment center team members.   If you enjoy being part of a growing small business environment where you get to wear multiple hats, can enjoy job variety, and are in control of your day-to-day then this might be a good fit. It is a positive, flexible and casual office environment. This is an in-office position based in White Bear Lake.

Retail Operations Manager

Seasonal Markets Management (60% of job):

• Successfully lead and manage seasonal Christmas Market Managers & their locations (currently 7-9 locations)
• Manage seasonal budgets and ensure local managers are adhering to payroll and expense budgets
• Take the lead in hiring location Managers, Assistant Managers & Keyholders at each location + assist in creating hiring and retention strategy of associates. (note: typical manager retention is 80+%)
• Resolve seasonal location employee related HR issues, follow-up and tracking.
• Understanding and support of annual seasonal market contracts with local organizers
• Consistent and effective communication with the seasonal locations and back to WBL HQ
• Learn/understand KWA product lines and be able to train staff
• Leading merchandising and display direction (with assistance from Graphic Design lead).
• Heavy travel anticipated to Market locations in Q4. This will include but not limited to: help with on-site set-up or tear down, hiring management team, assist in urgent situations, & annual review of locations.
• Minimal travel as needed other times of the year.
• Project management. This could include but not limited to: setting procedures & policies, overseeing supply strategies, creating/updating training manuals, creating and sharing KPI reports, provide direction for annual Managers training in MN and leading annual merchandise and supplies ordering.

Stillwater Store Liaison (20% of job)

• Responsible for over-seeing Stillwater store, providing guidance to store manager on a day-to-day basis and acting as a liaison back to WBL office.
• Act as a liaison to Stillwater Chamber of Commerce.
• As needed, may work ½ day to 1 full day in the store each month to help familiarize yourself with store, product, processes.
• Lead/Assist with in-store merchandising and front window displays and the general consumer experience.
• Oversight of year-end inventory processes at Stillwater Store
• Must maintain professional working relationship with Store Manager and team

Relationship Management:  Set up/Tear down Contractors & Market Organizer liaison (20% of job)

• Develop relationship with local contractors and sub-contractors in each market as it relates to the set up and tear down of seasonal pop-up locations.
• Assist in completing annual direction for planograms and effectively analyzing local needs (# of tables, skirting, size of tent, lay-out etc).
• Develop a relationship with the operations liaison for each of local market organizations to help assist with the day-to-day management in each of the seasonal locations.
• Note: full management of this aspect will likely happen over a 2-3 year period

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

Essential

• 3-5+ years working in a retail management / operations capacity, including the establishment of budgets and HR best practices.

• Ability to travel extensively for 8 weeks in November and December
  • Set-up is early to mid-November (2 weeks solid travel)
  • 5 weeks while seasonal locations are open – as needed, but 3-5 days per week is typical, but might be full weeks too.
  • Tear-down is last 2 weeks in December

Skills

• Ability to take on ownership of areas of responsibility
• Ability to communicate well with internal and external customers – this includes cascading of information and listening to feedback

• Ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines in a high energy, fast paced environment

• Ability to champion new ideas and turn concepts into real solutions
• Ability to be self-directed and pro-active to manage individual projects and timelines
• Strong experience with Human Resource policies, best practices and hiring acumen

• Ability to problem solve quickly and with confidence
• Ability to analyze data for managing inventory levels and processes, as well as budgeting.

• Ability to work well with others, gain trust quickly and ensure follow-thru on questions/requests
• Ability to lead by example (some days it’s hands on training, teaching and listening)
• Develop collaborative relationships with vendors/suppliers/team
• Detailed, organized and flexible
• Customer focused
• Remains composed and focused in high pressure situations
• Clearly and confidently communicate in writing, in person, or via Zoom/Teams
• Understanding of International shipping procedures, coding, & receiving
• Event management experience is beneficial
• Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Office, POS systems, inventory systems & Ship Station (or other like system)

Physical Requirements

• Ability to assist with set up/tear down or inventory: lift/move 25-50 pounds, bending, climbing ladders, moving boxes, standing for long periods
• Q4: Ability to travel (by air mostly) and be gone for up to 2 weeks at a time, including weekends; Potential for International travel to Germany every other year.

Benefits

• Healthcare (55% covered by Kathe Wohlfahrt)
• Delta / Vision (100% covered by Kathe Wohlfahrt)
• Simple IRA (matching up to 3% after 1 year)
• Generous PTO package
• Summer Flex Hours