District Manager

Position Purpose Section

The District Manager will lead a district while supervising store management, retail and services team members. The position will account for sales, profitability achievement, operational performance, and talent management efforts in the locations supervised. The successful candidate must possess an entrepreneurial spirit and be able to create and maintain a consistent brand image. Regular travel and a hands-on, high touch approach to leadership will serve the incumbent well.

Essential Job Functions Section

Responsibilities

The incumbent must be able to perform all the following duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation.

Sales and Profitability

• Achieves district sales and profitability goals through consumer education and experience, payroll and expense management, and inventory and loss prevention management.
• Ensures (Chuck & Don’s/Kriser’s) culture and pet nutrition education and messaging is woven into every store’s DNA.
• Maintains and maximizes store performance through consistent and effective coaching and feedback of store manager and store teams.
• Performs regularly occurring store visits to evaluate and identify sales growth, marketing events and customer service opportunities. Close any performance gaps to expectation as appropriate.
• Liaise with Store Support to share feedback and recommendations on product and field initiatives.
• Creates action plans to increase profit and control variable expenses, including payroll, through analysis and translation of available financial reports.
• Leverages reports and metrics to make decisions that positively impact sales, customer experience, profitability, shrink, payroll, and staffing.
• Treats (Chuck & Don’s/Kriser’s) like their own business, controls expenses, and hires talent that will do the same.

Operations and Services

• Ensures the highest level of customer service is achieved at all stores and partners with Store Managers to resolve any customer service issues.
• Drives consistent execution of (Chuck & Don’s/Kriser’s) visual presentation directives and stores/services brand standards.
• Supports Store Operations, IT, Marketing and HR initiatives and ensure successful implementation of new infrastructure and systems.
• Responds and reacts to all communication in a timely manner. Process district recaps and communication and share themes or trends with stores and Store Support Leadership.
• Partners with Store Operations, Buying and Supply Chain to carefully balance inventory, identify issues, and meet established merchandise standards.

Talent Management

• Communicates clear expectations and hold teams accountable to (Chuck & Don’s/Kriser’s) standards of performance and behavior.
• Networks, recruits, interviews and selects management, store associate, services level candidates.
• Appraises and recognizes team member performance.
• Provides strategies and opportunities for retention and professional development by creating individual development plans and career pathing.
• Continually trains, mentors, and monitors talent to be effective and reliable representations of the (Chuck & Don’s/Kriser’s) brand.
• Ensure Store Managers have the ability to train, motivate and challenge store employees to increase productivity and Succession Plan effectiveness.
• Coaches to correct and actively manages performance when organizational standards and objectives are not being met. 

Team and Culture

• Ensures people feel cared for and connected to each other and fosters a culture that values inclusion and diversity.
• Attracts, leads and develops teams that are ambassadors of IPP’s culture.
• Regularly visits stores to learn from and recognize leaders who are driving business performance and to coach and develop leaders who need support.
• Present facts clearly, coaches effectively, and actively listen to inspire trust and respect of direct reports.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years in multi-unit and store management within the retail industry required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or equivalent work experience required.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with the natural pet retail industry is preferred.
• Ability to identify, motivate, and retain top talent to drive team success.
• Strong business ownership mindset, with a demonstrated ability to take initiative and lead by example.
• Ability to achieve high performance levels through effective team leadership and delegation.
• Strong analytical, strategic, and conceptual skills with the ability to translate insights into action plans.
• Ability to interpret financial reports and turn data into actionable business goals.
• Proficient in MS Office applications.
• Ability to exercise discretionary authority and hold both self and team accountable for achieving performance measures and executing organizational initiatives.
• A sense of adventure and the ability to integrate fun into the workplace culture.
• Passion for Pets. That’s why we exist!

Physical Demands

• Must be able to work around pet hair and dander.
• Must be comfortable working with a wide variety of animals including small and large dogs.

Nature of Supervision

• This position has Store Leaders reporting to them as well as other multi-unit leaders.

Work Environment

• Operates in a standard office environment and store environment.  
• Position travels within the market by vehicles 60 to 80% of their time. 
• Must hold and maintain a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record. 
• Some job duties are performed while seated indoors with little or no exposure to hazards. 

Program and Benefits Section

Full-time team members enjoy the following:

Programs and benefit eligibility will vary based on average hours worked and length of service.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)/ Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – medical and dependent care
• $25K life insurance policy (employer paid)
• Short and Long-term disability (employer paid)
• Greatly discounted, employer-subsidized pet insurance
• PTO (paid time off) – 2 weeks in first year, 3 weeks in second year
• Paid Parental Leave and Paw-Ternity (paid Pet Adoption bonding time)
• 401(k) Program – employer match at a rate of 0.25% for each 1% contribution, up to 6%. Must be 21 or older.
• Employee Assistance Program/ 24X7 – completely confidential
• Generous discounts on goods and services
• Team Member Feeder Program - eligible for two units (bags or cases of cans) of the participating vendors product/s each month
• Store Bonus Incentive Program
• Growth opportunities! Be sure to ask about our Store Manager In Training and Groomer Apprenticeship programs

$90,000-$108,000 Annually DOE/DOQ

Subject to change depending on State/City/County minimums.

IPP is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with applicable law, we prohibit discrimination against any applicant or team member based on any legally recognized basis, including but not limited to: race, color, national origin or ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions) gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, sexual orientation, age (40 or over), or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.