Luxury Retail Area Manager

Luxury Retail Sales Associate - La Maison Longchamp

La Maison Longchamp:

Based in Paris, Longchamp stands as an optimistic and independent family business with an international reputation. Joining Longchamp’s team means contributing to the creation and distribution of fashion and leather goods that are both fair and beautiful, and showcasing superior craftsmanship. With a presence in over 25 countries and employing 3,500 individuals, “la Maison” is now looking for innovative, passionate, and committed talent to continue its development in France and abroad in a demanding and caring working environment. Join one of our 300 boutiques, where you'll be able to offer our customers quality products, while working in an environment that values versatility and stimulates personal development.

Job Summary:

The Longchamp Area Manager (Canada) oversees all aspects of running a profitable business on their own retail sales floor and supports their designated 6 Managers with daily operations. Expanding upon the duties of Canadian Area Manager, this role ensures their designated Managers have the contacts, tools, and resources necessary to safeguard the team’s success. The Area Manager also liaises with their respective department store’s leadership team to ensure alignment with Longchamp’s standards and takes the lead in understanding/enforcing compliance with all applicable protocols and policies. This position reports directly to Longchamp’s Retail Director.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Leadership Responsibilities:

• Perform supervisory responsibilities including planning, assigning, and directing work; reviewing performance; rewarding and coaching employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Partner with Human Resources in recruiting, hiring, and addressing various employee relation issues.
• Assign sales teams daily tasks and goals. Ensure proper completion through follow-up and coaching as needed.
• Complete weekly sales reporting, making suggestions and implementing adjustments to required areas.
• Train and develop shop associates in all aspects of the business; direct and monitor training and professional development.
• Partner as needed with the Warehouse Distribution Center, Customer Service Manager, Customer Service, other Store Managers, and France regarding shipping & delivery information.
• Review department/shop trends and recommend and initiates changes for maximizing goals and objectives.
• Any other tasks or responsibilities necessary, as instructed by the Retail Director.

2. Sales and Customer Service Responsibilities:

• Ensure consistently high standards of customer service through effective staff planning, monitoring of training programs and timely communication of advertising special events.
• Provide each guest with outstanding customer service by greeting and offering water/espresso to each client, and demonstrating both brand and product knowledge
• Accomplish sales and profitability goals for the shop through effective use of short and long-range planning, expense management and inventory control.
• Review shop trends and recommend/initiate changes for maximizing goals and objectives.
• Develop and maintain client books; teach team members how to develop and maintain their own client books.
• Prepare for sales, activation events, and inventory periods.
• Gift wrap and bag items for customers; occasionally mail or arrange delivery for special-order items.
• Perform all POS transactions (including Cegid, Longchamp’s POS) proficiently, such as sales (cash, checks, credit or debit cards, Longchamp gift cards and merchandise return cards, travelers’ checks), returns, exchanges, item and customer look ups, CRM, run reports and open and close registers in accordance with each POS’ manual guidelines.
• Properly prepare and send shipments; properly receive and check shipments.

3. Front & Back of House Operations:

• Ensure sales floor is merchandised appropriately and adequately stocked.
• Maintain an awareness of all product knowledge, information, and merchandise sales, etc.
• Oversee all floor moves/renovations, window displays, merchandise presentation or sales/event set-up and partners with the Visual Identity team to ensure compliance with seasonal standards.
• Tag merchandise as needed (not only during sales periods).
• Identify computer price changes and errors and communicates to corporate Buying team immediately.
• Maintain firm control over shrink and expenses.
• Stay updated on new items, shop promotions, and policies.
• Keep the sales floor and stockroom clean and practice the highest standards of general housekeeping.

4. Network Coordination Responsibilities:

• Foster a positive dynamic with leadership across designated stores, encourage collaboration within the network and resolve or escalate any conflicts which may arise, as necessary; establish contact lists of department store collaborators and update information periodically.
• Communicate around best practices and lead by example around both front of house and back of house operations; partner with the Learning & Development Specialist to ensure teams are up to date on training as needed.
• Support the recruitment and interviewing of new talent as needed across the retail networ.
• Share and reinforce new guidelines/SOPs/upcoming sales periods, etc. which have been established by the network’s partner department store; utilize internal communications documents (i.e., signs, handouts, emails, etc.) to inform Longchamp team members of important notices.
• Monitor resource allocation, including product inventory, packing/gift wrapping supplies, FTE (full time equivalent), and scheduling, to ensure allocated resources are optimized for performance.
• Regularly assess store KPIs, metrics and clientelling identifying areas for improvement and partnering with the Retail Director as needed to implement corrective actions

Minimum Qualifications:

• This job requires a minimum of a High School Diploma (or GED) and either a degree in Retail, Fashion or related field or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 7+ years of luxury retail, boutique or sales related work experience.
• At least 3+ years of supervisory experience, which has included: staff supervision, scheduling, training, merchandising, inventory, shrink control, budget management and goal setting.
• Understanding of inventory, customer sales experience, and merchandising.
• Proficient with various systems, including point-of-sale programs and UPS.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Word.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• This job requires customary and regular independent judgment and discretionary powers in the day-to-day performance of job duties that ensures that company policies are fulfilled.
• Familiarity with retail business operations.
• Proven communication and leadership skills.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Great interpersonal skills and ability to build long-term relationships, both internally and externally.
• Organized, self-starter with the ability to work in a multi-task fast paced environment with minimum amount of supervision under stressful conditions (at times).
• Ability to process information/merchandise through computer system and POS register system.
• Ability to read, count and write to accurately complete all documentation.
• Ability to operate and use all equipment necessary to run the shop.
• Ability to work varied hours/days as business dictates.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Bilingual English/French a must.