About the Role:

The ability to directly engage with our customers is crucial and, as such, Retail growth is an important part of Rhone’s future.  We are looking for a dynamic and established leader with a passion for retail to manage the existing fleet as well as lead the strategy for and execution of our retail expansion.  The VP of Retail will be responsible for developing a high-performing retail fleet that delivers both a high service level and strong financial results. This individual is a proven, high-touch leader with experience building a best-in-class retail experience.  They will have extensive experience and knowledge of retail operations and customer engagement models and a strong track record for managing the retail P&L,  delivering both top and bottom-line performance.  This individual also has strengths in merchandising and channel marketing.  This individual will be a critical player in the selection of new retail markets and should have a solid understanding of critical success factors for location dynamics.   To be successful in this role, this leader must display tenacity, grit, creativity, and an entrepreneurial spirit. If you embody these, read on to learn more about this incredible opportunity.

What you’ll do:

People & Culture:

• Provide leadership to Retail corporate and field leadership and share the company vision to motivate and retain staff.

• Work with the Director of Retail to recruit, hire, train, and develop a team of highly motivated field managers and leaders who will scale with the business.

• Build and maintain a superb and premium customer service culture that is consistent across the fleet and aligns with our brand standards.

• Set and communicate clear standards for performance; inspire and challenge team members to continuously improve their individual performance and impact.

• Identify talent and prepare and implement development plans and succession plans with a view to supporting the growth of the business operations and providing a pool of qualified, motivated employees.

• Create, improve, and implement communication channels between corporate departments and stores to ensure that all information is communicated in a timely, consistent, and brand-appropriate manner.

• Work with the Director of Retail to ensure all stores deliver an exceptional customer experience that is in line with the Rhone mission, vision, and values.

• Conduct regular store visits to gather feedback, assess current business practices, and work with store leadership teams to make improvements that drive results.

• Work with the Director of Retail and VP of People and Culture to implement training materials, policies, procedures, and programs to ensure employee growth, development, and compliance.

• Support diversity, encourage dialogue, and welcome diverse points of view.

Store & Channel Development:

• Actively source and identify expansion opportunities as part of the ongoing retail strategy and expansion efforts including surveying future real estate locations.

• Oversee, in partnership with the Retail Project Manager, the execution of new store openings, remodels, relocations, and closures

• Manage and monitor new store opening budgets, in partnership with the Retail Project Manager, ensuring projects come within or under specified amounts

• Manage the negotiation of bids from all third parties, vendors, and service providers for all new store openings

• Establish relationships with real estate partners and landlords and ensure lease negotiations are appropriate and timely

• Liaise with planning and merchandising teams to ensure appropriate inventory allocations for both existing and upcoming locations

• In partnership with the marketing team, establish strategy and execution of internal and external marketing efforts including campaigns, events, and other innovative marketing efforts for the successful launch of new retail locations.

Sales Performance and Operations:

• Establish retail budgets, in partnership with Chief Growth Officer and finance team, and establish a strategy for the achievement of financial targets.

• Closely monitor and analyze sales performance in all stores ensuring 4-wall profitability and continued growth of the retail stores.  Liaise with the finance team to analyze P&Ls and make appropriate adjustments.

• Develop and manage overall budget and spending for retail channel ensuring efficient spending.

• Work closely with the Director of Retail to ensure appropriate labor models are realized for each store.

• Partner with Brand Marketing to ensure the marketing calendar translates into retail to deliver consistent brand experiences.

• Partner with CRM to understand customer behavior to drive sales performance.

• Manage retail operations team working to implement, and supervise, operational initiatives and policy/procedure development to ensure consistency amongst the retail fleet.

• Ensure profitability and continued growth of the retail stores through sound operational and inventory practices.

• Partner with e-commerce and IT teams to lead store of the future initiatives by researching new technologies to drive innovation, improve clienteling, enhance communication, and streamline back and front-of-house processes.  Implement new systems and workflows as needed.

• Promote and support an omnichannel environment for customers and teams collaborating with cross-functional channel leads.

What you’ll bring: 

• 10+ years of experience in multi-unit retail leadership and new store openings

• The ability to motivate, coach and develop employees and teams with a proven track record of results

• Analytical and critical thinking with a solution-oriented approach

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to successfully navigate competing priorities

• Experience negotiating in real estate and vendor relations 

• Full knowledge and understanding of a working P&L

• Ability to travel extensively and work a flexible schedule

What you’ll get:

• 401k Incentive Savings Plan 

• Health, Dental, Vision, and other Ancillary Benefits

• Open PTO Policy

• Generous Holiday Schedule and Summer Fridays

• Flexible schedule and work-from-home days

• Annual incentive plan 

• Travel Reimbursement

• Paid parental leave 

• Generous employee discount and semi-annual gift card allotments

Job Type:  Full Time

Reports to: Chief Growth Officer

Location:  Rhone HQ - Stamford, CT