Valentino is looking for an experienced Store Manager for one of its locations in London.

Job Mission:

• Set the Wholesales Business strategy to develop the Store as a place for client engagement and connection.
• Ensure budget and targets achievement. Drive strategic performance KPIs.
• Ambassador of the Maison, embody its values.
• Client Centric Activities:
• Constantly aimed at satisfying the customer. Guarantee excellent Client Experience by monitoring sales activities; ensure that standards of Valentino Client Journey are maintained at all times.
• Implement clienteling in the store and ensure clients engagement, recruitment, retention and upgrading with high attention on local domestic clients.
• Maintain and develop external relations with prestigious people, clients and third partners, in order to promote brand loyalty and expand the network.
• Ensure the inclusion of digital tools and assets in the client journey and in the clientelling routine.
• Manage all delicate situations regarding sales activities or after sales (boutique returns, end of season, customer returns, repairs, complaints). Ensure the respect of Company procedures regarding sales and after sales processes and also continuously develop knowledge and information about HQs guidelines.

Team coaching:

• Foster a «couture service» mindset and act as a role model.
• Encourage creativity and colleague centric mindset within the team.
• Ensure regular and effective cascading of company contents through: morning briefings, products and engaging animation of the store board.
• Build the best team through talents recruitment and retention, ensuring career development and succession plans with HR support.
• Grant the right level of coaching and development to all team members to develop their skills and qualities by managing their performance, providing feedbacks, foster their motivation and carrying out periodical touch bases.
• Authorize Staff planning, organize and plan the activities verifying day-to-day execution.
• Take all the necessary measures in order to create and maintain a motivated and happy working environment; manage all delicate situations regarding store personnel, according to Company policies and employment laws.
• Regularly organize store meetings and keeps the staff informed regarding store performance and sales objectives.
• Assign quantitative and qualitative objectives and ensures they are achieved Deal with staff performance appraisal by analyzing the results and according to Company rules of conduct.
• Ensure that the laws of the Labor Code are applied with the support of the Headquarters.

Product Handling:

• Ensure all stockroom procedures (delivery, handling and management) are rigidly followed.
• Guarantee all the necessary measures for the safety of valuable products, materials and furnishings in both sales floor and stockroom.
• Supervise departments stockroom activities by ensuring the proper packaging and the handling of products. Transfer Department Managers all relevant information and inventory results.
• Guarantee end of season returns and product transfers.
• Manage inventory activities and is responsible for results.

Store Operations: 

• Where an Ops HC is not present takes an active part to the execution of operational tasks (including shipping/receiving)
• Ensure correct operations and compliance in all administrative procedures including AFS.
• Deal with store accountancy recurring audits. Ensure administration procedures and timing are respected.
• Guarantee store maintenance in order to make the furnishings, machineries and all store tools as efficient as possible.
• Supervise all relevant maintenance activities; liaises with and utilizes support from suppliers or other partners as required.
• Manage cash and payment systems in accordance with Company procedures and policies.
• Report on sales, store costs - and business performance according to Company requirements.

Store Image:

• Ensure that VM reflects strategy and verifies guidelines execution in store. Ensure order and cleaning of windows and internal display.
• Liaise with and receives information and requirements from HQs Visual Merchandising; verify and report visual criteria effectiveness in terms of sales; report to Visual Merchandising all relevant information.

Key competencies:

• Ability to communicate with HQ and own team, sharing constructive feedbacks and clear strategies
• Very good understanding and driving of performance KPIs
• Engaging, positive and motivating communication skills
• Proactive in visualizing potential business opportunities and in creating and proposing actions aimed to enhance the success of such.
• Able to create a community spirit within the team and to pursue goals in a strategic way
• Promotes constructive communication amongst the team
• Able to perform, to organize and distribute tasks, delegating, supervising the progresses and analyzing the outcomes
• Talented in leading a team, coaching and development