With over a 15-year history in Oak Park, Ten Thousand Villages in Oak Park is the leader of the fair trade movement in our village. As part of a network of non-profit Ten Thousand Villages US (TTV US) stores throughout the United States, we create opportunities for artisans in developing countries to earn income by bringing their products and stories to markets through long-term, fair-trading relationships.

The Store Manager contributes to the success of Ten Thousand Villages in Oak Park by carrying overall responsibility for leading all facets of in-store and off-site sales activities that advance Ten Thousand Village’s mission. The Store Manager will lead all sales and operations, staff management, and, in conjunction with the Board of Directors, the future development of the store. The Store Manager has a key role in building staff and volunteer morale; developing new sales opportunities; representing the store in the local business community; and engaging the community to increase awareness of fair trade and global issues. Through their work, the Store Manager will contribute to the vitality of our local community and the sustainability of our mission in Oak Park.

Primary duties and responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Management

• Maintain awareness of market trends in the retail industry, understand forthcoming customer initiatives, and monitor what local competitors are doing.
• Develop a good understanding of and ability to communicate about fair trade history and principles and stay up to date on fair trade developments.
• Work with the Board of Directors to create and implement marketing and fundraising strategies that support strategic initiatives including raising awareness about the store and fair trade, attracting new customers, promoting sales and events, supporting fundraising campaigns, and more.
• Maintain and grow existing customer base by effectively stewarding the base of longtime regular shoppers and supporters, implementing successful promotions that attract new shoppers, and converting new individuals into regular shoppers and supporters.

Organizational Representation and Reporting

• Along with Board leadership, represent Ten Thousand Villages in Oak Park in the national TTV network and report relevant updates to staff, volunteers, and Board of Directors.
• Work and liaise with other TTV US store managers, as appropriate, to address any issues that may impact all TTV stores.
• Report regularly on sales, staff, and other trends to the volunteer Board of Directors.
• Attend Board of Directors, committee, staff, and TTV US network meetings and trainings as required.

Team Leadership

• Manage store staff, including hiring, strategic scheduling, performance management and appraisals, payroll management, and professional development.
• Assist the Board of Directors in crafting or refining organizational policies and ensure successful implementation with the staff.
• Maintain accurate records of all personnel paperwork, contracts, permits, and other organizational documents.
• Support the Store Supervisor and Sales Lead in the development of a strong volunteer base, including the volunteer recruitment, motivation, support, and recognition efforts needed for the store to be financially self-sustaining.

Manage Operations

• Oversee and manage the daily operations of the store, including daily opening and closing, sales and customer service, sales transactions, merchandise management, and bank deposits.
• Understand and implement the policies and procedures required of a TTV store via contractual agreements with TTV US. Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory obligations of the store as well as all store policies and the contract with TTV US.
• Ensure all staff members and volunteers understand and commit to achieving sales goals while delivering welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient customer service. Provide training on customer relations, sales techniques, store/TTV mission, and other tasks, as appropriate.
• Develop and manage the store's procedures in compliance with established cash handling procedures, accounting, and other requirements.
• Manage store inventory to have sufficient merchandise on hand in an appropriate product assortment mix to meet sales goals. Foster strong vendor relationships with non-TTV certified fair trade vendors to support merchandise product assortments and drive sales. Utilize reports and inventory functions to guide merchandise selection and ordering. Coordinate and participate in store inventory counts.
• Create and ensure implementation of a comprehensive marketing calendar that supports actively promoting the TTV mission and the artisan products offered.
• Ensure that effective displays of appealing merchandise are created and maintained.
• Assist the Board of Directors with establishing the annual budget and managing the organizational operating budget and implement the strategies needed to achieve budget and other key metric goals.
• Explore and develop new retail site opportunities in the region, including temporary or seasonal pop-up locations.
• Liaise with landlord, IT support, and vendors as appropriate; resolve property or equipment related concerns.

Expand Community Engagement

• Create and steward positive relationships with community organizations by participating in local events and groups.
• Engage, elevate, and partner with grassroots non-profits through event collaborations, supporting the Community Shopping Event program, and overseeing the donation program.
• Identify and implement new delivery opportunities to increase awareness of fair trade, global issues, and cultural heritage.
• Track and evaluate all community engagement efforts.

Other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• High school degree or equivalent (GED).
• Minimum two years’ experience in retail leadership, including staff, inventory, and financial management experience.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, including proven ability to creatively drive sales in a fast-paced and goal-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver top-notch customer service.
• Self-motivated, positive, flexible, and outgoing.
• Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently.
• Superior organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of basic word processing, data management, email, internet, and retail point-of-sale software applications, including ability to learn new software.
• Understanding of basic accounting principles, including ability to maintain a comprehensive store budget, manage inventory, balance registers, and completing bank and other related financial paperwork.
• Working knowledge of the English language, including verbal and written language proficiency with ability to effectively communicate with diverse individuals.
• Strong work ethic and willingness to learn.
• Enthusiasm for the Ten Thousand Villages mission of creating opportunities for artisans in developing countries to earn income by bringing their products and stories to our markets through long-term, fair-trading relationships.

Preferred qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree in business, retail, non-profit management, or related field.
• Experience working in a non-profit environment and working with a board of directors.
• Experience recruiting, training, and/or supervising volunteers.
• Fundraising experience.
• Social media marketing experience.

Additional information: This is a full-time salaried, exempt position (additional healthcare stipend provided) that requires the ability to work a flexible schedule that requires mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Workweeks in excess of 40+ hours can be expected during peak sales periods.

Ten Thousand Villages in Oak Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer

In order to be considered for this employment opportunity, please email your resume and contact information (phone number and email address) to Recruitment.OakPark(at)TenThousandVillages.com as soon as possible.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $43,000.00 - $48,000.00 per year

Experience level:

• 2 years

Shift:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Morning shift

Weekly day range:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Work Location: In person

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