Director of Retail Expansion

Meet Us: King Arthur Baking Company is an award-winning, audience-leading baking company with a strategic vision to be the resource for baking education and inspiration.  Through traditional and new media, in-person and virtual education, we strive to be a leader in helping novice and expert bakers alike.  We're not going anywhere - we've been part of the family since 1790. We work to build stronger communities and increase access and the connection to real foods. We take pride in our responsible sourcing and our "never bleached" guarantee. And we work closely with farmers, millers, and suppliers in a continued commitment toward sustainability. Our wheat flour is grown and milled right here in the United States. Flour this good uses only the purest ingredients, free from GMOs.  As a founding B Corporation, we are committed to using the power of business as a force for social and environmental good. We believe every employee's contributions make our company what it is: vibrant, successful, and committed to spreading the joy of baking. We are a welcoming and inclusive 100% employee-owned company.

The Position:  The Director of Retail Expansionleads and coordinates all aspects of new store openings, ensuring a seamless launch process from planning to execution. They oversee project coordination, vendor management, compliance, budgeting, and store setup while collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive successful store launches. The role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. It also involves leveraging data and stakeholder feedback to optimize store performance and supporting marketing efforts to drive awareness and increase traffic.

The Benefits: Yes, we have the regular "stuff" - medical, dental, vision, company paid short- and long-term disability, life insurance, paid parental leave, paid time off to rest, paid holidays to have fun, a 401(k) with a company match. But here's what makes us different: 40 paid volunteer hours a year, profit sharing*, participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)* and knowing that those working with you are dedicated and engaged co-employee owners that believe in you and your extraordinary abilities to move us all forward.  

The Location: This is a hybrid role combining working from home, and onsite between our headquarters in Vermont and other retail locations roughly 30-40%. The ideal candidate will be located in the New England or Mid-Atlantic region.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Project Coordination: Develop and manage detailed project plans, store opening checklist, and timelines for new store launches; lead cross-functional meetings and follow-ups.

• Vendor Management: Source, negotiate, and oversee vendors for construction, permitting, signage, and other store-opening needs; manage project close-out documentation.
• Compliance: Ensure all legal and regulatory requirements, including permits and inspections, are met for new locations.
• Budget Oversight: Create and manage store-opening and construction budgets, including tracking costs and tenant reimbursements.
• Recruitment & Training: Coordinate with HR and store manager to hire, onboard, and train new store teams.
• Site Selection & Setup: Assist in site selection, lease negotiations, realtor coordination, store setup, IT setup, and inventory logistics.
• Analytics: Work with IT and analytics teams to ensure accurate reporting and use data, customer feedback, and store team feedback to evaluate and share out store performance post-launch.
• Marketing Support: Collaborate with marketing and digital teams to develop and implement promotional plans to drive traffic and awareness for new stores.
  
  

Education And Experience

• 8 years of progressive experience in retail store development or related fields.
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Asana, MS Project)
• Proven track record of managing the end-to-end process of opening new retail stores, including site selection, construction, staffing, and budgeting.
• Knowledge of real estate and leasing processes, including tenant negotiations and compliance with legal requirements.
• Solid understanding of architectural drawings and construction methods are highly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Project Management, or a related field preferred
• We value those who can demonstrate capability and articulate how prior experiences will help them transition into this role
  
  

Competencies

• Project Management Excellence: Manages complex projects with precision, ensuring timely, efficient, and cost-effective delivery using proven project management tools and methodologies.
• Collaboration and Cross-Functional Leadership: Builds strong partnerships across departments and external stakeholders to align efforts and ensure seamless execution of store openings.
• Financial Acumen: Oversees budgets and financial planning for store openings, including cost tracking, lease negotiations, and aligning expenditures with business goals.
• Vendor and Contractor Management: Sources, negotiates, and manages vendor and contractor relationships, ensuring high-quality, timely, and compliant deliverables.
• Problem-Solving and Decision-Making: Identifies challenges proactively, applies creative solutions, and leverages data-driven insights to make decisions.
  
  

Physical Requirements/work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical requirements
• This role consistently uses standard office equipment
• Use hands to handle, control, feel objects, tools and controls
• Stand/sit for extended periods of time
• Stretch, reach and bend
• Work environment
• This role operates in both a professional office environment where work is performed at a desk and a dynamic retail store environment, which requires regular interaction with customers, staff, and merchandise.
• It includes handling and organizing products, which may involve lifting and carrying items up to 20 lbs.
• May be exposed to varying noise of a retail environment
• Safety
• Understands that safety is the responsibility of everyone at the organization
• Is responsible for providing a safe and ergonomically sound work environment, identifying unsafe conditions and correcting these conditions immediately
• Engages in safety and compliance training programs and encourage 100% team participation in same
  
  

Supervisory Responsibility

• N/A
  
  

Travel

• 30-40%
  
  

Uniform

• Business casual.
  
  

Environment

• Adheres to company-wide green norms, looks for ways to reduce, reuse, recycle
• Educates oneself on KAB environmental campaigns
• Strives to continually improve and implement new processes to reduce our environmental impact
  
  

Other Duties

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
  
  

It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers and vendors.

There's room at our table for you!  Apply today.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors protected by law. King Arthur Baking provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to participate in both the application process and during employment. Such individuals are encouraged to seek accommodations to allow them to apply for a position, participate in the application process, and meet the essential functions and requirements of the position.

• Amounts vary based on achievement of financial targets. Participation based on hire date and program entry date.