Area Manager, Stuart Weitzman China

Stuart Weitzman is a leading luxury accessories brand that is synonymous with strength in femininity. Defined by an energetic, modern and bold attitude, SW is known for its unique approach to melding fashion, function and fit in every silhouette. The brand’s focus on creating timeless, effortless shoes and handbags that are engineered to empower women with both confidence and comfort has resonated around the world, as SW is now available in all corners of the globe through an array of websites, boutiques and retail partners.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITEIS/ ACCOUNTABLITIES

Area Manage is responsible to manage the sales, operations, and staff development of the Retail & Outlet Stores in China, to achieve maximum profitability, compliance with company procedures and excellence in customer service. Drive brand integrate in the field, serve as the market expert, ensuring that the SW brand is consistently represented to standards; Provide insight and be able to influence assortments, pricing strategies, and Visual Merchandising standards tailored specifically to the market.

The position reports to Retail Director, Stuart Weitzman China, and in general manage the store teams which are both for Retail and Outlet SW Stores in the area, there might be Store Manager, General Manager or City Manager reports to this position. The position is located in Beijing.

Sales Generation & Customer Service

• Strong Selling Skill, be able to leading the selling activities in the Retail and Outlet Store
• Ensure the highest level of customer service is provided in area stores
• Work with Store Managers to achieve sales goals
• Recognize best sellers and superb customer service, while serving as a role model for both

Staff Training & Development

• • Interview, screen, hire, coach and counsel Store Managers (and Assistant Store Managers if appropriate);
  • Delegate duties and responsibilities to foster a sense of ownership among Store Managers and to increase efficiency of store operations
  • Ensure consistent management, operational practices and customer service in all stores in area
  • Implement Stuart Weitzman training programs (e.g. Stuart Weitzman GeO System, Sales Training, Product Knowledge, etc.); hold regular staff meetings and initiate on-the-job training; supervise and train Management Team to develop their managerial skills.

Merchandise Management

• Ensure stores present merchandise in a manner that will maximize sales and achieve optimum merchandise turn and are reflective of corporate direction. Work in partnership with store management, and through supervision of Visual Manager
• Stay current on product range and educate staff on competitors’ products offering
• Oversee maintenance of accurate inventory records
• Funnel product improvement ideas and feedback to corporate

Operations

• Comply with all local lease and statutory obligations as well as with local codes
• Identify methods for lowering expenses and increasing overall store profitability
• Ensure payroll percent is achieved
• Uphold highest standards on all Company audits
• Ensure that all HR paperwork (new hires, terminations and change in status) is promptly and accurately completed in People Hub
• Ensure Time & Attendance system is reviewed/approved on time in each payroll cycle
• Ensure execution of performance management for area, including reviews, goals, and disciplinary action process

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Prior experience in an upscale retail environment, including 3-6 years as a store manager; or previous management experience as a multi-store manager preferred
• Experience in Retail Stores selling, full category, or female Clothing, or Luxury Brand experience is preferred;  footwear selling experience is a plus;
• Ability to work with and motivate multiple levels in retail team
• Must demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate important issues related to Market to Sr. Management, and partner on solutions
• Pro-active problem solver – ability to assess an issue and develop action steps for resolution

Our Competencies for All Employees

• Drive for Results: Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; is constantly and consistently one of the top performers; very bottom-line oriented; steadfastly pushes self and others for results.
• Customer Focus: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
• Creativity: Comes up with a lot of new and unique ideas; easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions; tends to be seen as original and value-added in brainstorming settings.
• Interpersonal Savvy: Relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, and sideways, inside and outside the organization; builds appropriate rapport; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably.
• Learning on the Fly: Learns quickly when facing new problems; a relentless and versatile learner; open to change; analyzes both successes and failures for clues to improvement; experiments and will try anything to find solutions; enjoys the challenge of unfamiliar tasks; quickly grasps the essence and the underlying structure of anything.
• Perseverance: Pursues everything with energy, drive, and a need to finish; seldom gives up before finishing, especially in the face of resistance or setbacks.
• Dealing with Ambiguity: Can effectively cope with change; can shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture; isn’t upset when things are up in the air; doesn’t have to finish things before moving on; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.

Our Competencies for All People Managers

• Strategic Agility: Sees ahead clearly; can anticipate future consequences and trends accurately; has broad knowledge and perspective; is future oriented; can articulately paint credible pictures and visions of possibilities and likelihoods; can create competitive and breakthrough strategies and plans.
• Building Effective Teams: Blends people into teams when needed; creates strong morale
  and spirit in his/her team; shares wins and successes; fosters open dialogue; lets people finish and be responsible for their work; defines success in terms of the whole team; creates a feeling of belonging in the team.
• Managerial Courage: Doesn’t hold back anything that needs to be said; provides current, direct, complete, and “actionable” positive and corrective feedback to others; lets people know where they stand; faces up to people problems on any person or situation (not including direct reports) quickly and directly; is not afraid to take negative action when necessary.

Stuart Weitzman is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and we pride ourselves on hiring and developing the best people. All employment decisions (including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, transfer, training, discipline and termination) are based on the applicant’s or employee’s qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration. These decisions are made without regard to age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic characteristics, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship, disability, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or any other legally-recognized protected basis prohibited by applicable law. Visit Stuart Weitzman at www.stuartweitzman.com.