Brown Elephant Associate Store Manager

Why Howard Brown Health

• Mission: Rooted in LGBTQ liberation, Howard Brown Health provides affirming healthcare and mobilizes for social justice. We are agents of change for individual wellbeing and community empowerment.
• Vision: Howard Brown Health envisions a future where healthcare and transformative social policies actualize human rights and equity for all.   
• Community-based health clinics in some of Chicago’s most underserved neighborhoods
• The largest LGBTQ health provider in the Midwest
• Latinx inclusive community based on respect, equal opportunity, and appreciation of diversity to provide the culturally competent support and services within Howard Brown Health.

What is in it for you:

• A commitment to work-life balance with:
  • 3-weeks paid vacation and 1-week of personal time
  • 12 accrued sick days per year
  •  9 paid holidays, including Juneteenth
  • PTO Exchange allows employees to turn unused PTO into liquid assets
• Employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance with two PPO plans and an HMO plan.
  • BCBS HMO, PPO, and PPO Select Plans
    • HMO premium = $ 34.40 /month
  • BCBS Dental premium = $ 13.00/month
  • EyeMed Vision premium = $ 6.52/month
• 401k program with up to 5% employer match after 90 days = $1,700
• Employer-paid basic life insurance valued at one times the annual salary
• Voluntary Life and AD&D, and Short-term and Long-term disability
• Up to $720 pre-tax commuter and parking benefit account
• Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care
• Tuition Reimbursement and Student Loan Forgiveness Programs; NHSC & PSLF
• Employee Assistance Program with 5 employer-paid counseling sessions
• 50% off at Brown Elephant Resale Shops and discounts at local businesses

What you can expect:

A Brown Elephant Associate Store Manager (ASM) oversees the operations of a nonprofit resale store including managing staff, ensuring efficient store operations, and providing excellent customer service in partnership with the Brown Elephant Store Manager.

How you will make an impact:

• Manages daily store operations, including store opening, store closing, cash management, banking, and accurate sales tracking.
• Assigns assistant management team and store associate responsibilities and sets sales and operational goals for the day.
• Collaborates with the Store Manager in developing and implementing strategies to increase sales and profitability, analyzes results to make informed decisions regarding pricing, promotions, and floorplan, and adjust strategies, as necessary.
• Manages controllable expenses, strives to meet and exceed store targets, and collaborates with other departments within the organization to achieve business objectives.
• Ensures store security and safety protocols are followed.
• Schedules breaks and lunch periods per established guidelines. 
• Rings sales on register as needed.
• Manages payroll to meet business and organization needs and expectations. 
• Assists the Store Manager in the development and execution of marketing and promotional strategies to attract and retain customers.
• Builds relationships within the community to heighten store presence and leverage neighboring traffic and maintains awareness of area competitors and what defines us or sets us apart. 
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with donors, customers, and community organizations to promote the store and Howard Brown’s mission.  
• Manages customer interactions including selling, negotiating price, and ensuring satisfaction to encourage repeat business. 
• Ensures complaints are resolved in a timely manner to the customer’s satisfaction, and elevates issues, as appropriate. 
• Ensures the store is clean, organized, easy to shop, well stocked, and that the store meets established visual guidelines for their location.
• Maintains the non-sales floor space including donation area, breakroom, bathrooms, offices, exterior and basement/storage areas, and ensures  spaces are clean, organized, and free of debris.
• Addresses maintenance and safety concerns immediately, reports issues through proper channels, and follows up until resolved.
• Captivates, hires, trains, and develops the Assistant Management Team and Sales Associates. 
• Provides associate feedback through coaching in the moment, structured feedback (oneon-ones), and ongoing skill evaluation.
• Delivers performance feedback including written performance improvement plans; consistently, proactively, and respectfully in collaboration with the Store Manager and Human Resources.
• Participates and contributes to store management meetings and store walk-throughs focused on effective process improvement. 
• Attends Store Manager meetings, regularly interacts with area Store Managers, and partners with the Director of Retail and Social Enterprise on their own development.
• Manages the donation process including receiving, sorting, pricing, and merchandising donated goods; as well as training and developing others. 
• Researches unusual donation finds and identifies high value goods, and ensures items are priced appropriately.
• Ensures commitment to established processes for recycling non-saleable items. 
• Creates a culture of continuous learning and improvement with an emphasis on sharing acquired knowledge of collectables, vintage, designer, furniture, and apparel.
• Participates in media/promotional opportunities and agency special events, as necessary. 
• May perform the duties and responsibilities of the Store Manager during scheduled absences (i.e., days off, vacation, PTO, etc.). 
• Performs related duties as assigned.

What you will bring to Howard Brown Health

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED: 

Education:

• High school diploma/ GED or equivalent is required.

Experience:

• 2 or more years of experience in a supervisory or leadership role, preferably in a resale or retail environment is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to drive sales and achieve store profitability. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Point of Sale (POS) systems. 
• Strong leadership skills and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Ability to effectively manage inventory, pricing, and merchandising.
• Ability to represents the organization in a professional and positive manner.
• Ability to build an inclusive team that works well together based on the needs of the store and the Division. 
• Ability to delegates tasks effectively to build skill throughout team, varying work assignments to create an atmosphere of learning.
• Ability to establish clear priorities, expectations, and share relevant information in a timely manner. 
• Ability to lead and inspire the team to achieve and exceed financial results, and ensure all performance issues are addressed consistently, proactively, and respectfully. 

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field is preferred. 
• Bilingual- (English/Spanish) proficiency is highly preferred. 
• Knowledge of fashion trends, furniture, vintage, and collectables in the resale market is preferred.

ADA SPECIFICATIONS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Requires ability to speak audibly and listen actively. 
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted and greater than 50 pounds with assistance.
• Must be able to stand, walk, stoop, bend, squat and climb for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work in hot or cold weather conditions as needed.
• Irregular and weekend hours required. Weekly work schedule will be opposite of the Store Manager. 
• Flexibility and willingness to work at other Brown Elephant locations, as necessary.  
• May require periodic local travel for additional training.