[Hiring] Regional Vice President @Knitwell Group

Role Description

To direct all activities required to achieve regional goals, including sales and profit objectives, client service, human capital investment and retention, payroll and operating expenses, loss prevention, and merchandise presentation, while contributing to shaping the stores’ corporate strategies.

Region Scope: 10 Districts / Approximately 200 stores (NW Pacific, Upper Midwest, Northeast)

The impact you can have

• Develops District Managers and District Directors to accomplish region’s objectives through recruitment, selection, coaching, investment, career-pathing, retention and motivation. Maintains a union-free environment.
• Ensures attainment of sales, payroll, operating expenses and inventory shortage goals for region.
• Helps set priorities and direction for region with major emphasis on Values & Practices, client service, human capital, financial objectives, merchandising assortment and presentation.
• Has a clear vision for and understanding of the business, culture, and operations; maintains a long-term, big picture view, foreseeing obstacles and opportunities, and generating innovative ideas.

People Management

• Ensures regional compliance in recruiting, selecting, hiring and developing diverse talent; develops talent pools for key positions.
• Partners with Human Resources to develop and execute succession planning, ensuring key position backfill.
• Assesses, develops, educates and mentors District Directors and District Managers in all areas of responsibility, ensuring that feedback, coaching and investment are regularly provided.
• Holds District Directors and District Managers accountable for achievement of financial results and human capital metrics by driving business, managing conflict and moving them to action.
• Encourages development through challenging assignments, stretch goals, and cross-functional or divisional collaboration.
• Communicates clearly, despite incomplete or ambiguous information, and shares knowledge, information and experience with region, clients, vendors, mall management, and peers.
• Translates broad strategies into clear objectives and practical action plans.
• Fosters team commitment through support, building relationships, and recognizing individual contributions.
• Leads by taking calculated risks, championing breakthrough ideas and cultivating a broad network to rally support and manage through change and adversity.

Revenue Generation

• Shares vision and is responsible for execution of region’s business strategy in alignment with Home Office initiatives.
• Is responsible for setting and attaining regional sales and expense management goals.
• Drives quantifiable performances (LY, Plan, UPT, DPT, conversion rates, payroll matrix, inventory shortage, operational assessments, credit card).
• Educates District Directors and District Managers in business analysis and on inventory opportunities.
• Grasps the position of the business within the marketplace, demonstrating a thorough understanding of organization’s opportunities, capabilities, and competitive liabilities.

Store Operations

• Allocates regional resources according to the company’s strategic priorities.
• Effectively balances the competing priorities of different constituencies.
• Protects region's assets and ensures compliance with Loss Prevention practices.
• Is responsible for maintenance of the physical appearance of stores within region.
• Ensures compliance with all practices and procedures as outlined in the reference manual.
• Anticipates risks and devises contingency plans to manage them.

Product Management

• Ensures execution of all pricing strategies to achieve gross margin goals.
• Partners with Store Planning to manage inventory levels.
• Makes recommendations with regards to cross-divisional transfers, transfers, and end-of-season consolidations.
• Provides actionable feedback to corporate offices to increase business opportunities through product placement.
• Ensures all stores in region are merchandised according to visual guidelines.
• Communicates observations and opportunities regarding quality control issues.

Brand Management

• Clearly articulates the company’s brand positioning, including the unique differences of all expressions of the LOFT brand.
• Educates District Directors and District Managers on marketing initiatives, product placement, lifestyle concepts and product knowledge.
• Embodies company culture in all interactions with internal and external clients.
• Role models LOFT's Values & Practices, while holding associates responsible for their actions.
• Operates with highest levels of personal integrity and business confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Human Resources: Ability to resolve conflict with immediacy, objectivity and confidence; has a proven track record of minimal turnover and few open positions.
• Client Service: Ability to ensure that the client remains the top priority; ability to respond empathetically to client’s needs.
• Organization: Ability to organize, delegate, set priorities, meet deadlines, follow-up, hold team accountable, and outline consequences for all activities within the region.
• Leadership: Proven ability to challenge and motivate management teams in an atmosphere of mutual respect by fostering support of innovative business practices; ability to listen to and raise concerns based on associate needs.
• Merchandising: Knowledge of visual standards and techniques; ability to implement and interpret according to Ann Taylor’s guidelines, individualizing to store attributes.
• Communication: Demonstration of strong verbal and written communication skills to Home Office and direct reports; ability to express and logically articulate point of view, then own the final outcomes to reinforce company initiatives.
• Business analysis: Ability to forecast and analyze business trends and complete store operation budgeting procedures.
• Market knowledge: Ability to gather and assess market data, share appropriate information with team, and impact regional business.

Requirements

• Minimum Requirements: Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum two years’ Regional Management experience in the service industry with proven results.
• Flexible to frequent travel.

Benefits

• You will be eligible to receive a merchandise discount at select KnitWell Group brands, subject to each brand’s discount policies.
• Support for your individual development plus opportunities for career mobility within our family of brands.
• A culture of giving back – local volunteer opportunities, annual donation and volunteer match to eligible nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic activities to support our communities.
• Medical, dental, vision insurance & 401(K).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Time off – paid time off & holidays.
• The target salary range for this role is: $170-220K.