Vice President, General Manager - Development Program

What This Position is All About

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. This requirement is defined as having 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. The program culminates in an annual summit to include presentations to and from our Executive Leadership Team.

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. 

The Assistant General Manager of Merchandising is responsible for developing a high performance selling organization; ensuring that all selling associates have clear selling strategies as well as broad product knowledge, and effectively coaching selling managers and associates to achieve selling goals, while ensuring that the service experience as delivered by the store team consistently exceeds customer expectations. 

The Assistant General Manager of Merchandising understands that the success of the organization is tied to the quality and performance of the team, and is responsible for developing, motivating and retaining talent in order to drive sales results and maximize store volume.

You Must Have:

• 100% open availability to relocate within the United States

• Minimum 5+ years of luxury retail management experience

• Experience leading fast-paced, high retail sales volume environments

• Experience developing and leading clienteling culture (i.e. VIC loyalty programs, client events and experiences, store marketing initiatives, brand ambassadorship, etc.) 

• Executive leadership presence with the ability to present/report business trends/financials

• Experience developing and promoting People Leaders

• Flexible in scheduling as the business needs including evenings, weekends and holiday schedules

Who You Also Are:

• Clearly shares the work to be done and the expected outcome. Easily creates working relationships to enhance self and team.

• Seeks and expands on original ideas, enhances others’ ideas and contributes their own ideas. Place the team’s success above their own

• Establishes positive interpersonal relationships

• Champions innovation and creativity by encouraging, recognizing, and rewarding those who take initiative, develop new ideas, or improve work methods

As The Assistant General Manager, Merchandising, You Will:

I. BUSINESS OWNERSHIP

• Drive the Saks Fifth Avenue clienteling culture through coaching and mentoring of the Client Development team

• Directly oversees all Client Development Managers except within the Fifth Avenue Club (Personal Shopping)

• In partnership with the VP/GM, 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 his/her store

• Drive towards the achievement of maximum sales and growth in line with company vision and values in partnership with other functional leads for all sales departments

• Analyze and develop understanding of internal / external customer behavior, trends, and preferences, adjusting processes and standards accordingly (e.g. focus programs)

• Facilitate cross-functional communication across store departments to optimize collaborative efforts

• Fulfill store senior leadership responsibilities, including attending daily, weekly, and monthly meetings

• Actively participate in, and in the absence of the VP / GM, lead Store Senior Leadership team meetings

• Partner with Merchant and Planning Organization Leaders to determine appropriate strategies and action plans for the store to yield positive results

II. PEOPLE

• Serve as coach to the Management team to enhance the effectiveness of their leadership style and increase the engagement of their teams.

• Be responsible for developing top talent Client Development Managers to promotability.

• Collaborate with the Centralized Recruiting team, as appropriate, ensure jobs are filled in order to drive business.

• Oversee people, product and placement, and sales promotion.

• Oversee Client Development team performance and objectives.

• Recognizes outstanding Associate performance, addresses opportunities for improvement, and quickly resolves issues.

• Tailor leadership style to appropriately set expectations and coach for growth for different levels of direct reports.

• Set goals for Associates in alignment with department objectives and supports in Associates in achieving them.

• Develop, motivate, and train the management team in all aspects of the store.

• Provide consistent and frequent communication so all team members are aware of the store vision, goals, and expectations.

III. CLIENT EXPERIENCE

• Champion SFA culture and values, and manages 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.

Your Life and Career at SFA:

• Be a part of a team of disruptors focused on stores and redefining the luxury experience 

• Exposure to rewarding career advancement opportunities, from retail to supply chain, to digital or corporate

• A culture that promotes a healthy, fulfilling work/life balance

• Benefits package for all eligible full-time employees (including medical, vision and dental)

• An amazing employee discount

Salary and Other Compensation: 

The salary for this position is between $115,000 - $130,000.  Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position is also eligible for bonus compensation awards.

Benefits: 

The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, disability insurance, and a variety of additional voluntary benefits (such as critical illness, hospital and accident insurance).

Thank you for your interest in Saks Fifth Avenue. We look forward to reviewing your application.

Saks Fifth Avenue provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Saks Fifth Avenue complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Saks Fifth Avenue welcomes all applicants for this position. Should you be individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process, accommodations are available upon request in relation to the materials or processes to be used.

Thank you for your interest in SFA. We look forward to reviewing your application.

 SFA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, SFA complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. SFA welcomes all applicants for this position. Should you be individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process, accommodations are available upon request in relation to the materials or processes to be used.