Who We Are:

At melin we set out to create the most premium, highest quality headwear in the world. We believe that with more thought, time and care invested into how we make our products that we can extend the life of our hats and the adventures we take them on. We are looking to expand our internal family and are seeking one incredible human capable of excellence in a fast-paced work environment and eager to join an elite, yet small team of “A Players”.

The brand is sold globally through select wholesale accounts, an ecommerce site, and owned retail stores located in Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Orange County, Hawaii, and growing. Additional owned retail stores are planned over the next several years.

About The Role:

Melin is seeking an experienced Sr. Manager of Owned Retail to lead the strategy and performance in current and future stores. The role is the first of its kind for the brand and we need a true trailblazer with a passion for telling stories and creating industry leading consumer experiences as well as the proven ability to successfully manage onboarding new stores, also known as Customer Experience Labs. You will be a business owner, owning the channel P&L and execution of all aspects of retail, including store experiences, staffing, coaching, operations, revenue growth, marketing, and profitability as well as assist in some aspects of new store site selection and operations of MCEL trailer activations. You will work closely with senior leadership on strategic planning as well as collaborate with multiple departments to deliver successful results and community engagements. As the Senior Manager of Retail, your role would involve overseeing the growth and expansion of the company’s retail performance.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following :

• Full ownership of maximizing retail sales & profitability, ensuring the channel delivers a healthy and scalable ROI.
• Frequently report on financial performance to Executives, Investors, and Directors.
• Take a data driven approach to management including KPI reporting weekly, monthly, seasonally.
• Retail is a people business, as such a big focus for this role will be hiring and training District Managers, Store Managers, and teams to execute a best-in-class consumer and staff experience that aligns with the DNA of the Melin brand and ensures long term brand loyalty.
• Develop in collaboration with creative and design an elevated store experience, partner with design for ongoing improvement of existing stores, and provide input that supports new stores.
• Partner with the retail operations team to drive efficient and consistent retail operations that ensure District and Store Managers can fully own their business.
• Maintain optimized inventory positions in all stores at all times based on company product initiatives.
• Collaborate with the eCommerce team on customer acquisition initiatives as well as online to offline direct-to-consumer experiences and implementation of omni-channel processes when available.
• Collaborate with the buying team to seasonally plan inventory, store assortments, and manage in-season allocations.
• Work collaboratively with the marketing teams to develop and execute the annual marketing strategy and host on-brand community events to build community through experiences and strategic partnerships.
• Partner with the wholesale department to ensure a positive working relationship between owned retail and local wholesale partners.
• Project planning and Budgeting: Creating development plans for new retail stores, outlining timelines, budgets, and resource allocation. Working with finance teams to ensure financial viability and cost control.
• Expansion Strategy: Participate with the new store development team to assist new store site selection & design through screening deals, proforma financial analysis, building & presenting pitch decks, and other tasks as well as merchandising layout to optimize sales and operational efficiencies.
• Oversee the store operational transition from construction to store opening, ensuring fully trained staff and smooth grand opening process.
• Assist with managing the MCEL trailer activations and oversee setting up and managing retail pop up opportunities.

Who You Are:

• A people person and natural leader that understands the value of a positive culture in a retail store environment and can be an effective bridge between retail teams and other business units.
• Entrepreneurial and comfortable working in a high-growth environment.
• Strategic; but enjoys rolling up your sleeves and working in the business.
• Consumer centric, takes a data driven approach to solving challenges.
• A self-starter.
• Detail-oriented and organized.
• Strong people skills.
• Active, energetic, and enthusiastic.
• Can confidently present results and opportunities to an executive team.
• Can identify opportunities for growth while also managing to protect the downside.

The Ideal Candidate: 

• Has results oriented experience building and leading retail field teams.
• Strong partnership experience with HR in developing employees and initiating successful performance improvement plans.
• Has been a Store Manager, District Manager, and Director of Retail for a lifestyle brand for 8 or more years.
• Hands on experience with four-wall economics.
• Owned visual merchandising at retail stores and has developed reporting that connects VM decisions to product selling performance and optimization of merchandise allocation.
• Developed and or led sales training programs for retail store associates.
• Has an established process and successful track record of turning around underperforming stores.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and 8 years of direct hands on experience in retail leadership roles demonstrating increased role and responsibility.
• 5 years experience working for a brand with an expanding retail footprint.
• Proficiency in MS Office, G Suite, and experience with project management software such as Asana, Basecamp, Monday….
• Strong verbal and written communication skills required. Must be a strong analytical and critical thinker.
• Frequent overnight travel, including occasional weekends and holidays when necessary.
• A profound stoke on the outdoors, other people and cultures.
• Willingness to take on additional responsibilities and special projects when assigned.
• This position reports directly to the CEO and other top executives.

Location & Office Structur e : When not in retail stores, this position is an in-office position five days a week in San Clemente, CA and subject to change based on business needs.

Compensati on : The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $120,000 plus opportunity for annual bonus; salary is based on the experience that you bring to the position.

Benefits and Perks:

• Generous product gift program and discounts on Melin and affiliated brands OluKai, Roark, Kaenon
• Company bonus program
• Wellness program
• 5 year and 10 year anniversary gifts and travel to desirable locations, in accordance with plan guidelines
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
• 401k w/ employer match
• 15 days of PTO one additional day of PTO every year
• Paid beach and giveback days, bi-annual team building events and other in-peron
• celebrations
• 3 floating holidays per year
• Company paid life insurance

We offer a very unique working environment with great company benefits, fringe benefits, and opportunities for growth.

Archipelago Companies values a diverse, inclusive, and entrepreneurial workforce and culture, and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at hr@arch-cos.com. Archipelago will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.