Summary

The Vice President, General Manager – Development Program prepares the Assistant General Manager of Merchandising via a series of critical touchpoints and milestones that provide insight into SFA culture, people, client experience, and business ownership. The incumbent must remain 100% mobile during their tenure in the development program, with availability to relocate to any one of SFA’s stores for additional assignments as an Assistant General Manager of Merchandising, and/or future promotion to Vice President, General Manager. The Assistant General Manager of Merchandising will participate in a six to eight-month development program, providing a comprehensive understanding of SFA’s leadership toolkit. Under the direction of a Flagship Vice President / General Manager, the Assistant General Manager of Merchandising is responsible for increasing sales by focusing on driving the selling and clienteling process through developing and managing effective selling teams, creating a service and selling culture that delivers results, and ensuring the alignment of the merchandise to local needs and opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Drive the Saks Fifth Avenue clienteling culture through coaching and mentoring of the Client Development team.
• Directly oversee all Client Development Managers except within the Fifth Avenue Club (Personal Shopping).
• Act as the Chief Merchant for the store to ensure the alignment of merchandise to local needs and opportunities.
• Execute the VP/GM’s strategic vision for the store.
• Drive towards the achievement of maximum sales and growth in line with company vision and values.
• Analyze and develop understanding of customer behavior, trends, and preferences, adjusting processes and standards accordingly.
• Facilitate cross-functional communication across store departments to optimize collaborative efforts.
• Fulfill store senior leadership responsibilities, including attending daily, weekly, and monthly meetings.
• Lead Store Senior Leadership team meetings in the absence of the VP/GM.
• Partner with Merchant and Planning Organization Leaders to determine appropriate strategies and action plans for the store.
• Serve as coach to the Management team to enhance their leadership style and increase team engagement.
• Develop top talent Client Development Managers to promotability.
• Collaborate with the Centralized Recruiting team to ensure jobs are filled to drive business.
• Oversee people, product and placement, and sales promotion.
• Oversee Client Development team performance and objectives.
• Recognize outstanding Associate performance and address opportunities for improvement.
• Set goals for Associates in alignment with department objectives and support them in achieving these goals.
• Develop, motivate, and train the management team in all aspects of the store.
• Provide consistent and frequent communication to ensure all team members are aware of the store vision, goals, and expectations.
• Champion SFA culture and values, managing the team to create a friendly, upbeat atmosphere where customer service is consistent with SFA standards.
• Partner with Client Development, Brand Ambassador, Merchants, Vendors, and Regional teams to fulfill strategic efforts.
• Oversee the floor to monitor and ensure coverage and presence.
• Build a Customer Service-driven team, overseeing Customer Service efforts and escalations.
• Partner with functional leads for execution of in-store selling events.
• Seek to help others by identifying and meeting the needs of the team, customers, partners, and communities.

Requirements

• 100% open availability to relocate within the United States.
• Minimum 5+ years of retail management experience required (luxury industry preferred).
• Experience leading fast-paced, high retail sales volume environments.
• Experience developing and leading clienteling culture (e.g., VIC loyalty programs, client events and experiences, store marketing initiatives, brand ambassadorship).
• Executive leadership presence with the ability to present/report business trends/financials.
• Experience developing and promoting People Leaders.
• Flexible in scheduling, including evenings, weekends, and holiday schedules.
• Ability to create working relationships to enhance self and team.
• Ability to seek and expand on original ideas, enhance others’ ideas, and contribute their own ideas.
• Ability to place the team’s success above their own and establish positive interpersonal relationships.
• Champion innovation and creativity by encouraging, recognizing, and rewarding those who take initiative, develop new ideas, or improve work methods.