The client is seeking an entrepreneurial Director of Retail to build and lead an owned retail channel from the ground up. This role will partner with executive leadership to develop and execute the retail strategy, launch the company’s first retail locations, and establish the operational foundation, scalable processes, and talent approach needed to support long-term growth. The Director of Retail is expected to balance setting strategy with hands-on execution in a founder-led environment.
Key responsibilities include creating scalable retail operating procedures and best practices, initially leading a flagship store, and driving store performance through strong execution, customer experience, and financial management. The Director of Retail will monitor retail KPIs such as sales, conversion, payroll, traffic, inventory, and profitability, and continuously improve operational efficiency and in-store experience. The role also includes recruiting, hiring, onboarding, coaching, and developing retail teams, building organizational structure as new stores open, and cultivating a culture of accountability and service.
The Director of Retail will develop engaging retail experiences aligned with the brand’s lifestyle and values, partner with Marketing on local events and community initiatives, and help establish each location as a destination in its local market. Cross-functionally, the role will collaborate with Merchandising, Planning, Marketing, eCommerce, Operations, and Finance to support assortment planning, inventory strategy, forecasting, and product launches, using retail analytics and POS reporting to inform decisions. The client is looking for 8+ years of progressive retail leadership with multi-unit operations experience, a proven record opening new stores and scaling teams, strong knowledge of labor planning, inventory management, and financial performance, and experience with Shopify POS or similar retail technology is preferred, along with a willingness to travel regularly between retail locations.