Area Manager Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts

The Paper Store is committed to being the premiere destination for all of our customer’s gift-giving needs. Our mission is to share our passion for The Paper Store with each customer, during each visit, by going above and beyond their expectations for both selection and service.

The Area Manager is responsible for supervising and coordinating all aspects of store operations for a defined market ranging from 4-5 stores. Financial goals and company expectations will be achieved through recruiting and hiring talent, motivating store managers and teams, assessing and developing Store Managers’ skill, and promoting a positive work environment. This position serves as the primary link between the home office and individual stores and needs to be knowledgeable of all store operations, company policies, procedures, and standards.

The Area Manager reports directly to the Regional Manager.

COMPETENCIES:

• Communication: Communication is direct and to the point while maintaining employees’ self-esteem. Sets clear performance expectations and provides ongoing feedback. Solicits dialogue to ensure understanding of expectations.
• Leadership: Ability to motivate and influence the team to create buy-in. Clarifies initiatives and articulates their strategic relevance. Helps employees to see the potential for developing their skills; assists them in eliminating barriers to their development.
• Development: Demonstrates a passion for teaching. Identifies skill opportunities and takes timely and appropriate action to coach, develop and redirect employees as needed.
• Delegation: Delegates responsibility based on the employee’s ability and potential. Communicate action steps and desired outcomes. Follows up to ensure success.
• Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of corporate responsibility. Takes personal ownership and responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work. Ensures that actions are consistent with words.
• Creativity and Initiative: Forward-thinking, recognizes opportunities and finds new ways of doing things and implements improvements whenever possible. Encourages creativity and innovation.
• Professionalism: Maintains a professional and positive manner even under changing or uncertain conditions. Works well with a wide range of individuals to provide support, encouragement and direction. Engages others to accomplish organizational and departmental goals. Is seen as a role model.
• Personal Development: Displays self-awareness, a high level of energy, persistence and a positive outlook. Continuously seeks ways to improve and learns from mistakes and constructive feedback.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Be a TPS brand ambassador
• Financial:
  • Inspire and motivate store teams to achieve results
  • Ensure store teams are focused on the customer, utilizing all sales programs
  • Meet or exceed sales targets, including plan, comp and other key performance indicators (KPIs)
  • Continuously assess business and create action plans to improve sales
  • Monitor and manage expenses to achieve district and store profitability, including payroll and other store expenses
• People:
  • Recruit, hire, train and retain diversified candidates for all management positions
  • Actively manage succession planning to identify internal and external talent; fill all positions promptly
  • Evaluate skills of store managers and initiate on-going development for team through the use of available tools and programs
  • Manage and resolve employee relation issues according to company expectations and standards
  • Successfully partner with peers and supervisor to share best practices and achieve exceptional results; build effective relationships with landlords/mall representatives and home office partners to educate them on the needs of their business and to build mutually beneficial relationships.
• Store Operations:
  • Meets all deadlines; follow up with management teams to meet deadlines and to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures
  • Conduct a minimum of 1 monthly store visit and DM/GUEST Checklist. Manage results based on company expectations. Take appropriate partners as necessary.
  • Ensure store teams follow all Loss Prevention policies and practices
  • Ensure merchandise presentations are consistent with company standards
  • Successfully roll-out and embrace all company initiatives
• Communication:
  • Listen effectively
  • Clearly and specifically translate objectives
  • Utilize all modes of communication (written, verbal, and non-verbal) to effectively ensure understanding
• Motivation and Recognition:
  • Learn what motivates teams and provide meaningful recognition
  • Effectively utilize the company’s reward and recognition programs to recognize superior performance; coach, encourage, and counsel sub-standard performers to achieve company expectations
  • Tailor reward and recognition to motivate teams
• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving:
  • Understand the relationship between financial indicators and driving a profitable business
  • Take calculated risks to drive results, in partnership with supervisor
• Initiative and Problem Solving:
  • Proactively and continuously analyze the business and make changes to maximize opportunities
  • React swiftly to changes in the business, engaging the team in problem solving
  • Identify root causes, brainstorm potential solutions, and select best alternative
• Prioritization and Time Management:
  • Prioritize and assign tasks in a manner that is realistic and time-bound
  • Multi-task to complete responsibilities
  • Appropriately allocate time to ensure maximum return on time investment
  • Ensure teams share in responsibilities to provide job enrichment and growth for all employees

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• College degree or relevant work experience
• Previous experience in multi-unit retail management is preferred
• Effective listening and communication skills
• Possess the ability to read, write, conduct business-related mathematics, and analyze sales reports as required
• Operate a computer, software programs, register terminal and calculator
• Ability to adapt to and embrace change
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to include nights, weekends, and holidays
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed, including overnights
• Ability to work well and be a leader in a team environment to deliver daily sales goal initiatives
• Professional attire, demeanor, appearance and compliance to company dress code required
• Possess the resourcefulness and initiative to problem solve, operate strategically, and act as a team builder
• Ability to work autonomously while paying strong attention to detail
• Ability to be mobile on the sales floor and/or stock room for extended periods of time.
• Work quickly to complete physical tasks such as showing merchandise to customers, placing merchandise in fixtures, setting new lines, completing daily maintenance which includes, but is not limited to climbing ladders, cleaning, and lifting boxes ranging from 5-25 lbs.
• Ability to lift and mobilize medium to large items up to 50 lbs., while utilizing appropriate safety techniques
• Professional presentation in attire, demeanor, and appearance

The Paper Store is an equal-opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, or any other classification protected by state, local or federal law.