Ruth’s Closet Store Manager is a non-exempt, full-time, benefits-eligible employee of House of Ruth Maryland (HRM). Ruth's Closet is an upscale resale store featuring women’s clothing, accessories and shoes. This position responsible for managing all store-related operations, including promotions, sales transactions, merchandise preparation and pricing, visual merchandising, stockroom management and donation receiving. The Store Manager manages financial transactions related to sales, purchasing, and banking, and initiates strategies to increase sales in order to meet or exceed revenue targets. The Store Manager ensures appropriate staffing and is responsible for training, scheduling and supervising staff, interns and volunteers. The Store Manager coordinates with HRM Donation Center staff to ensure distribution of donated commodities to Ruth’s Closet.

Experience/Qualifications:

·        Associate’s degree required, Bachelor’s degree preferred

·        Experience in a position involving customer service required; supervisory experience in retail environment preferred

·        Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft applications including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel and virtual meeting platforms

·        Experience working with volunteers preferred

·        Must be punctual, reliable, and must have own dependable transportation

·        Must have high ethical standards and successfully complete a background check

·        Must be highly motivated, able to work independently, and exercise good judgment and discretion

·        Must be able to follow direction and when needed, initiate action and make sound decisions

·        Must be resourceful, even tempered, and a skilled problem solver  

·        Must be warm, outgoing and capable of engaging effectively with people from diverse backgrounds including staff, donors, customers, volunteers and interns

·        Must demonstrate flexibility and be able to multi-task

·        Must  be invested in the growth of House of Ruth Maryland and HRM Social Enterprises; Ruth’s Closet, Ruth’s Repeats and B-More Bags

·        Must demonstrate an understanding of  intimate partner violence and how it affects the House of Ruth Maryland client population and the larger community as a whole

Primary Responsibilities:

Retail Operation

·        Open and close Ruth’s Closet on time, adhering to shop opening and closing routines

·        Operate the NCR Silver point of sale system, conduct sales transactions and ensure that only authorized individuals have access to the cash register

·        Greet, assist and make customers, donors, volunteers and interns  feel welcomed

·        Maintain a staffing and volunteer schedule and plan that ensures appropriate store coverage, including in the absence of the Store Manager

·        Maintain a written operations manual that is reviewed regularly and updated on a yearly basis

·        Maintain guidelines for items acceptable for sale in Ruth’s Closet

·        Maintain procedures for preparing items for sale, develop pricing guidelines and routines for sales and mark downs

·        Create and maintain a dynamic, visually appealing store that is clean, easily navigable and well organized

·        Implement procedures to maintain an orderly stockroom and an appropriate inventory of retail and janitorial supplies

·        Coordinate with the HRM Donations Coordinator , ensuring good communication and the timely exchange of commodities between Ruth’s Closet, Ruth’s Repeats, the Donation Center and warehouse donation operations

·        Set high standards for customer service and impeccable customer relations and implement steps to meet or exceed them

·        Continually shop the competition and stay abreast of trends in the business; actively seek out opportunities to grow the store and its business while maintaining alignment with the mission of  HRM

·        Disseminate information to increase customer and donor awareness about  House of Ruth Maryland and facilitate networking that can benefit Ruth’s Closet, Ruth’s Repeats, B-More Bags and House of Ruth Maryland

Promotion & Marketing

·        Work with supervisor to create an annual calendar of in-store promotion, special events and sales

·        Supply merchandise pictures to marketing team for promotions activities

·        Coordinate with staff and volunteers involved in B-More Bags to plan the B-More Bags Annual Trunk Show at Ruth’s Closet and the sale of the bags in the store throughout the remainder of the year

·        Generate ideas for in-store promotion and special events that increase customer volume and provide an immediate sales boost

·        Contribute ideas for ways to increase the volume of donations of new and luxury items, as well as to secure other needed goods and services at no or low cost

·        Represent Ruth’s Closet and House of Ruth Maryland in the community, including HRM events and Northwest Chamber of Commerce events

Financial

·        Maintain established policies and procedures for sales transactions, operating the cash register, using the safe and  handling receipts and confidential information

·        Maintain established accountability systems to reconcile and report on sales transactions, minimize opportunities for theft/misappropriation of funds or merchandise

·        Make scheduled bank deposits and respond to inquiries from HRM Accounting Department

·        Establish and maintain vendor relations in consultation with supervisor, place orders for supplies and equipment

·        Operate within budget; identify and implement strategies to reduce expenses and increase revenue

Staffing

·        Manage staff, interns and volunteers, ensuring appropriate coverage, maximizing utilization of human resources, generating team spirit, and providing supervision, feedback and support

·        Maintain open communications with HRM Community Relations staff to recruit volunteers and actively promote volunteer opportunities at Ruth’s Closet, Ruth’s Repeats, B-More Bags and House of Ruth Maryland

·        Train new staff, interns and volunteers, conduct regular staff and volunteer meetings, and provide opportunities for professional development

·        Encourage experienced volunteers to provide mentorship to new volunteers, adjust volunteer schedules accordingly

·        Establish standards and expectations for engaging customers, delivering quality service, and being a contributing member of the Ruth’s Closet team

Miscellaneous

·        Maintain standards and procedures to ensure the safety and security of the premises, of staff, interns, volunteers and donors at all times

·        Take responsibility for a House of Ruth Maryland laptop computer

·        Pick up donations using your personal vehicle from retail stores and donors on occasion  

·        Other duties as assigned