Director of Sales + Operations

For nearly a decade, South Loop Loft has been a go-to resource for interior designers nationwide, offering an award-winning collection of European vintage furnishings, an immersive showroom experience, and exceptional service to the design trade. At South Loop Loft, you’ll join a vibrant, passionate team dedicated to collaboration and excellence. Our supportive culture fosters professional growth, making us a unique place to work.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director to lead our team and drive business growth. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in management, sales, and luxury products, along with exceptional organizational, HR, financial literacy, and communication skills. You will oversee showroom performance, profit and loss, and support efforts in quality, brand awareness, and company culture. Your main focus will be on executing strategies and managing all operational teams to drive increased profit.

This role involves developing and implementing effective sales strategies and overseeing sales, marketing, inventory management, finances, and customer service. The successful candidate will be a proactive leader capable of fostering a positive work culture driving sales growth, analyzing financial metrics, and building strong relationships within the local design community. If you have a passion for interior design and luxury home furnishings, and experience in managing a growing team, we invite you to apply.

Primary Responsibilities: The Big Picture

  • Lead a team of 6 with a focus on results, fostering a positive and proactive environment through teaching and coaching
  • Improve current  Sales Strategy and develop Outreach Strategy to increase annual revenue
  • Maintain a best-in-class client experience by developing and creating an environment of exceptional customer service.
  • Oversee execution of quote and order management by the sales and sales support teams.
  • Utilize reporting strategically for a big-picture understanding of overall business and areas for growth and improvement.
  • Resolve escalated client-service cases.
  • Implement process and service improvement plans.
  • Oversee recruitment, training, and ongoing mentoring of new employees 
  • Act as a brand representative on the sales floor, in the office, and at events to develop and grow relationships with the local design community.
  • Maintain the signature South Loop Loft best-in-class visual image. Oversee merchandising and overall presentation of space, working with the Inventory Team + Ownership
  • Manage facilities, including working with outside vendors for repairs, updates, etc.
  • Collaborate with the South Loop Loft accounting teams to facilitate seamless accounting processes, forecasts, and budgets.
  • Oversee inventory management for the showroom, working with the Inventory Coordinator to streamline processes and ensure accurate record-keeping.
  • Liaise with the marketing team to develop client and brand-focused outreach and events 
  • Plan and execute 4-7 annual events.
  • Handle administrative + operational responsibilities related to the business operations
Team Management
  • Facilitate weekly team meetings; setting an agenda +  tracking goals established
  • Weekly one on one meetings, along with providing leadership and weekly goal setting and management with the Sales Team, E-commerce Team, Marketing Freelancers + Inventory Team
  • Weekly meeting with Owner
  • Track the successes and metrics of each team member; provide recommendations and feedback for annual reviews; additional training and support 
  • Provide daily support for a team of 6 
  • Organize Team building opportunities bi-monthly 
  • Identify + implement team training and educational opportunities 
  • Maintain a positive and collaborative work culture 
  • Oversee additional training + goal setting for a Part Time Shop Assistant 
Financial Management
  • Financial Reporting: Monthly coordination with Accounting team for P&L Statements; provide analysis + report findings + recommendations to Ownership; including identifying areas for Cost Control; where growth or decline occurred
  • Monthly Sales Tax Reporting
  • Cost Control: Assess monthly + annual spending + identify areas of Cost Control; provide recommendations + implementations for approved Cost Control initiatives 
  • Assemble Monthly Metrics Reporting for Sales
  • Facilitate payments + manage invoicing for Artist Partnerships; Vendors + Freelancers 
  • Review + Optimize contracts and agreements with outside vendors + providers 
Sales Growth Management 
  • Work with Ownership to identify key areas of potential in our Sales programming; including working on Outreach + growing our Trade Program Membership; General Manager is responsible for leading the execution of strategies 
  • Work Closely with our Sales Team towards monthly + annual goals; identify areas of opportunity; identify key clients for monthly outreach; + manage outreach initiatives 
  • Research + Identify  Continuing Education Opportunities for our Sales Team; including online material to enhance our communication skills + customer service ethos, + sales strategies  
  • Identify + Implement a new CRM for our Sales Team that  connect seamlessly with GMAIL   
Monthly Reporting
  • Collect Reporting from E Commerce and evaluate sales performance of our different online outlets; identify areas of growth, decline + opportunity; Identify trends over time and make recommendations to Ownership 
  • Collect Reporting from our POS and evaluate sales performance based on inventory categories;  identify areas of growth, decline + opportunity; Identify trends over time and make recommendations to Ownership 
  • Collect + Evaluate reporting from our Marketing Freelancers; and identify areas of success, growth, decline + opportunity 
  • Attend meetings with Ownership + the Finance team to review monthly and quarterly metrics
 Strategic Planning
  • Collaborate with Ownership to develop key Partnerships; including Furniture Makers + Artists; Consignment Opportunities + Brand Partnerships 
  • Take the lead with outreach for Partnership Opportunities + Relationship Management as it related to PR + Branding 
  • Market Analysis: Conduct market research and analysis to identify new business opportunities and stay competitive.
  • Execute Strategies developed by ownership for Brand Development + Growth
Marketing and Sales
  • Sales Targets: Set and monitor sales targets for the team, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.
  • Marketing Initiatives: Collaborate with the marketing team and oversee execution of  marketing campaigns that drive brand awareness and sales.
  • Customer Relationship Management: Develop and maintain strong relationships with key customers to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Assist and Oversee Product + Collection Launches; coordinating with Marketing, E Commerce, Inventory Team + Ownership 
  • Attend Marketing Analytics Meetings with Ownership 
  • Recruit + Hire Marketing Freelancers as needed; including an Email Marketing partner with Klaviyo experience 
Operations Management
  • Operational Efficiency: Continuously evaluate and improve operational processes to enhance efficiency and productivity.
  • Supply Chain Management: Oversee supply chain operations, including procurement, inventory management, and logistics.
  • Technology Implementation: Implement and manage technology solutions that improve operational efficiency and customer experience.
  • Manage paperwork, licensing, etc  required for three work vehicles.
  • Manage contracts related to leases, security systems, and utilities.
  • Review leases and foster positive relationships with landlords.
  • Manage security systems for the showroom and warehouse.
  • Handle password management for enhanced security.
  • Ensure timely transmission of monthly statements to bookkeepers.
  • Explore and evaluate connectivity options for improved operations.
  • Coordinate potential projects and initiatives.
  • Assist with logistics for trade shows.
  • Manage permits, licenses + compliance paperwork 
Human Resources
  • Training and Development: Identify training and development needs and provide opportunities for professional growth.
  • Manage accurate and timely payroll.
  • Manage 401k plans and annual audit.
  • Manage permits and licenses for South Loop Loft.
  • Manage PTO requests and adjustments in ADP.
  • Manage commissions added to payroll and other adjustments 
  • Manage 1099s annually.
  • Management of Benefits planning and programming for the business
  • Create and manage expense reports for team members 
  • Conduct an annual audit for business insurance, in collaboration with the owner.
  • Organize training material and improve training manuals for each position.
  • Conduct compliance audits and safety training, in tandem with an HR consultant.
  • Create and post job listings, interview, hire, and create training material for new positions.
  • Manage onboarding + training of new employees 
Risk Management
  • Compliance: Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, including health and safety regulations.
  • Risk Assessment: Conduct regular risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential business risks.
  • Crisis Management: Develop and implement crisis management plans to handle emergencies and unexpected events.
Community and Public Relations
  • Community Engagement: Engage with the local community and participate in community events to build positive relationships, such as RNDD + West Town Art Walk 
  • Public Relations: Manage public relations efforts to enhance the company's reputation and brand image. Including replying to opportunities we receive; and managing communication with people reaching out regarding marketing, influencer + brand partnerships 
Technology and Innovation
  • Innovation: Encourage and drive innovation within the organization to stay ahead of industry trends; including exploring opportunities with AI to assist with product marketing, communication + efficiencies 
  • Technology Adoption: Oversee the adoption of new technologies that enhance business operations and customer experience.
 Upcoming Projects: See What's Ahead for this Role
  • Recruit and hire an additional salesperson.
  • Identify additional sales training and hire a sales consultant to assist in professional development for our Sales Team and Brand Strategy.
  • Develop an outreach strategy for new client growth; work with freelance graphic designers for marketing collateral, explore AI-assisted options; delegate tasks within the sales team; set timetables and goals and achieve them.
  • Develop a tiered trade program for our Trade Members; collaborate with our E-Commerce Manager, freelance graphic designers, and marketing team for rollout strategy.
  • Identify a CRM that can be easily integrated into Gmail.
  • Support and assist with the development of our ecommerce Drop Ship Program and Contemporary Art Programming.
  • Work with our team to plan + implement our annual Warehouse Sale + assist in rolling out strategies for annual growth of this event 
  • Implement a Client Appreciation program in collaboration with Ownership + the Sales Team 
  •  Identify + implement a tool to track the number of daily guests to the showroom 
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience.
  • 5+ years of management experience required, must have experience managing in sales.
  • 3+ years of team management experience with former leadership roles
  • Strong knowledge of high-end luxury marketplaces and client buying experience.
  • Outstanding organizational and communication skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize workload and attention to detail.
  • Able to create and meet deadlines 
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills with proven ability to communicate with all levels in an organization.

Most days feel busy at our showroom - this is a position for a motivated person who genuinely thrives in a fast paced environment, managing multiple goals and timelines at once and is experienced in team leadership, operations + business development. 

This is a full time, salaried position with a suite of benefits including: employer matched 401k, BCBS health + dental insurance, a competitive amount of PTO time, Holidays, Summer Fridays, Dog friendly office, Europe Travel, Access to Professional Development tools and other perks reserved for team members. Salary is commensurate with candidate qualifications and experience and other market factors. This position is available to Start Immediately. This position requires working at our Chicago showroom. 

South Loop Loft is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Qualified applicants can send resumes to: careers@southlooploft.com

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