Sales Director

Company Overview

Dark Garden Corsetry is a bespoke fashion company specializing in corsets and couture designs. We are committed to inclusivity, uncommon beauty, and creating a safe, welcoming space for all. We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Sales Director to lead our sales teams, collaborate with the management team, and uphold our high standards of customer experience, craftsmanship, and community.

 

Position Overview

The Sales Director will be responsible for the overall sales planning and execution for the organization of our San Francisco boutique. This role requires a skilled leader with a strong retail management background who can drive sales, manage a team, and support all sales channels as visually compelling and welcoming to our broad client base. The ideal candidate takes initiative, has good follow through, a strategic, creative thinker with excellent communication skills and a commitment to exceptional customer service.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

Sales & Boutique Management:

• Drive sales by creating an organizational sales plan with buy in from all departments.

• Setting and tracking goals, analyzing budgets, and generating reports.

• Update annual plan with new sales strategies in an ever-changing market

• Oversee accountability for daily store operations, including opening and closing procedures, inventory management, client appointment bookings, and ensuring accuracy in client booking systems.

• Develop merchandising schedule keeping in-store and outside events in mind to maintain the boutique merchandising and storefront upkeep.

• Research, source, and purchase third-party and consignment products using purchase orders, and manage inventory data.

Team Leadership:

• Lead, coach, and mentor our teams of sales associates, including scheduling, task delegation, and performance reviews.

• Provide ongoing training to staff to enhance product knowledge, sales techniques, and customer service skills.

• Foster a collaborative and motivated work environment that aligns with Dark Garden’s core values.

Clienteling and Customer Experience:

• Provide exceptional client service through fittings, corset education, work order and deposit payment management, and follow-ups.

• Create a safe and inclusive environment for all clients, reflecting our values.

• Build relationships with clients through effective clienteling and CRM tools.

Visual Merchandising:

• Create and maintain visually appealing product displays, including dressing shop mannequins, arranging new products, and rotating existing product displays.

• Ensure the boutique’s aesthetic aligns with the brand’s values and vision.

Marketing & Event Coordination:

• Coordinate with the marketing team to help promote Dark Garden across social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms.

• Participation in weekly marketing meetings to plan and execute marketing initiatives such as in-store events and marketing campaigns.

• Organize and manage occasional in-store events, including staffing, vendor coordination, and timeline planning.

• Travel for off-site events, coordinating flights, accommodations, and vendor payments as necessary.

Core Competencies

• Leadership & Team Management: Ability to inspire and lead a diverse team, promoting collaboration and individual development. Capable of providing clear direction and managing performance through feedback and coaching.

• Customer-Centric Mindset: Dedicated to providing outstanding service, ensuring client satisfaction and loyalty. Skilled in resolving customer issues and tailoring experiences to meet client needs while protecting needs and standards of the business.

• Operational Excellence: Ability to manage store operations effectively, including inventory management, sales tracking, and ensuring all boutiques and offsite sales sites are visually aligned with brand standards.

• Sales & Target Driven: Demonstrable record of achieving sales goals, and supporting teams in sales and KPIs, with a strong understanding of retail performance metrics and the ability to motivate a team to meet and exceed them.

• Adaptability & Problem Solving: Able to manage change and handle challenges with a positive, solutions-oriented approach.

• Fitting & Styling Clients: Ability to learn and effectively apply proper corset fitting techniques, with a professional and comfortable approach to physical interaction with clients during fittings. Possesses a natural eye for aesthetics to style clients for various occasions, along with up-to-date product knowledge to recommend appropriate products effectively. (Note: finding the right combination of items to maximize the sale while ensuring client satisfaction.)

• Attention to Detail: Manages day-to-day tasks with precision and ensures all aspects of the boutique’s operations are meticulously executed.

• Project management: Able to take on large projects, break them down into smaller steps & phases, collaborate and delegate as to ensure timely completion.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of store management or relevant management experience.

• Proven ability to lead multiple teams and drive sales performance.

• Strong understanding of retail operations, including inventory and CRM systems (e.g., Asana, Slack, spreadsheets, point-of-sale systems).

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt to different audiences.

• Experience in visual merchandising and fashion retail.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail and deadlines.

• Physical ability to lift up to 45 lbs and navigate stairs.

• Comfort with physical interaction during fittings.

• Effective task-switching and delegation abilities.

• Insightful strategic thinker with a retail-focused mindset.

Preferred Skills:

• Background in current fashion trends and fashion history.

• Background in both small and medium scale businesses.

• Familiarity with social media and marketing strategies.

Compensation, Benefits and Schedule

• Hourly Rate: $33 - $35, based on experience and performance.

• Benefits include:

• 50% coverage of health, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off

• Employee discounts

• Schedule: Full-time (8-hour day shifts) with flexibility for occasional travel and off-site events.

Additional Information:

• Notice to applicants in San Francisco: Dark Garden Unique Corsetry will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. The Fair Chance Ordinance is provided here: San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

• Reports to the Owner & Founder and the San Francisco-based management team.

Application Process

If you are a dynamic leader with a strong background in retail and boutique management, we encourage you to apply! Please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and achievements.