Store Manager

Department: Retail Reports to: Head of Retail and Business Development Location: Milan Type: Full-Time

**Purpose of Position**:

- As the Store Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of our luxury retail store in Milan. You will lead a team of dedicated professionals, ensuring the highest standards of customer service, operational excellence, and brand representation. Your strategic vision and leadership skills will drive sales growth and enhance the overall customer experience._

**_ Direct Reports: Assistant Store Manager, Store Supervisor, Senior Sales Associate and Sales Associate._**

**Key Responsibilities**:
**Leadership and mentoring**
- Coach and mentor team members by setting daily and weekly commercial objectives to excel in their role.
- Display high levels of personal motivation and implement effective incentives to inspire and drive the team.
- Display a dedicated approach to self-awareness and self-development.
- Work with integrity and respect for others; create excellent team participation and ensure the team and boutique(s) are presented to the highest standards.
- Work alongside Learning and Development to manage the delivery of product training and client service training.
- Responsible for store recruitment, evaluation, and development of the store team. Demonstrate effective succession planning and networking.
- Ensure all People and Culture policies and procedures are implemented, resolving all staff issues effectively, working with the People and Culture Team to manage performance where required.
- Maintain high store standards and conditions whilst fostering a positive work environment.

**Strategy and analysis**
- Feedback to the Merchandising function and Head of Retail Operations in terms of product mix and volumes in order to drive sales and exceed targets.
- Provide regular market studies including statistical analysis of competitors, assortments, price points and clientele (both local and visiting) with a view to highlighting additional sales opportunities.
- Manage the collating, analysis, reporting and evaluating of sales.
- **Commercial and Sales**
- Provide training and coaching for team members to help them achieve their individual sales targets and KPI’s.
- Record and update sales performance, such as Sell Throughs, product feedback, trade feedback.
- Ensure the store constantly meets the visual merchandising and store maintenance standards set out by Manolo Blahnik.
- Manage and prepare the two major seasonal sales events and additional sales events as may occur.
- Provide both analytical and qualitative feedback to wider business and commercial stakeholders.
- Drive and develop commercial performance of the boutique(s) by identifying business opportunities in line with overall company objectives and policies.
- Adopt a proactive approach to customer acquisition, development, and retention.
- Provide analysis and feedback on clientele and product line performances, in weekly/monthly reports. Develop and implement action plans to deliver improvements.
- Maintain awareness of market trends in the retail industry, understanding forthcoming customer initiatives and monitoring what local competitors are doing.
- Work collaboratively with the Head of Retail Operations, Communications and Events teams to plan and deliver regular events both in the boutique and externally.

**Client Experience**
- Provide exceptional client experience and service; provide personalised and timely after-sales service to clients, dealing effectively with client complaints.
- Demonstrate high level of product knowledge (telling the story, features and benefits etc.) and coach other team members
- Develop strong, long-lasting, commercial relationships with clients, establishing a regular client base and providing support to team members to ensure all sales opportunities are optimized.
- Develop relationships with surrounding businesses and brands to help grow and develop the MB business and assist in the management of special client events.

**Operational excellence**
- Champion retail excellence and ensure unwavering standards of presentation and service within the boutique(s).
- Ownership of all store operations including Payroll, cash management, invoices, replenishment, sundries, and mandatory compliance trainings.
- Be accountable for and educate team members on effective implementation of merchandising guidelines, replenishment methods and housekeeping standards to ensure that the store is always represented at the highest level.
- Work with the Stock Control Manager to ensure effective management of stock layouts, rotations, recalls, Omni-channel fulfilment and stock take/audit preparation and execution.
- Work alongside Head Of Retail Operations and Internal Controls to create and implement store policies.
- Work with Facilities team to ensure Health and Safety standards are met within store.

Any other tasks as requested.

**Skills and Experience Required**: