Store Manager / Lead Merchandiser

Store Manager / Lead Merchandiser - Lemon Tree Gifts

Location: Hanover, NH

Type: Full-time, Exempt, 45–50 hours/week, Weekends required

Salary: $60,000–$65,000 per year (experienced-based), generous year-end cash bonus

Reports to: Owners

Lemon Tree Gifts is an independently owned boutique gift shop in downtown Hanover, serving Dartmouth students, families, faculty, alumni, local customers, and visitors. We offer a curated selection of gifts, accessories, home goods, stationery, jewelry, and distinctive products from independent makers and brands.

We are seeking a hands-on, customer-focused Store Manager to lead the daily customer experience and presentation of our Hanover location. This role is ideal for someone who loves people, beautiful products, creative merchandising, and the energy of an independent shop.

The Store Manager’s focus is on the store itself: spending the day on the sales floor, engaging with customers and selling, while attending to merchandise, displays, cleanliness, the part-time team, and ensuring the store looks exceptional at all times.

The owners handle scheduling, buying, payroll, financials, POS administration, and back-end business functions.

Responsibilities

Customer Service & Sales

• Welcome customers and create a warm, personal shopping experience
• Actively engage with shoppers on the sales floor (not from behind the counter)
• Help customers find thoughtful gifts and products for a variety of occasions
• Build relationships with regular customers, Dartmouth families, alumni, and local shoppers
• Learn the merchandise and confidently explain product features and stories
• Sell naturally and helpfully, with a friendly, non-pushy approach
• Handle returns, exchanges, and customer concerns professionally
• Operate the register accurately and follow store procedures

Merchandising & Visual Presentation

• Receive, unpack, check in, price, and organize incoming merchandise
• Create attractive, imaginative, and easy-to-shop displays
• Refresh the sales floor daily to keep the store looking current and inviting
• Restock merchandise throughout the day and maintain full, orderly displays
• Coordinate displays around seasons, holidays, Dartmouth events, and local occasions
• Notice what is selling and what needs attention, and adjust presentation as needed
• Consistently maintain the store’s visual standards

Store Care & Daily Operations

• Open and close the store according to established procedures
• Keep the sales floor, register area, windows, and back-stock areas clean and organized
• Maintain a polished, welcoming environment at all times
• Receive and process shipments accurately
• Monitor merchandise levels, packaging supplies, and store needs
• Communicate product, customer, staffing, and operational updates to the owners
• Stay productive and self-directed during quieter periods

Part-Time Team Leadership

• Train and oversee one or two part-time employees
• Teach product knowledge, selling skills, gift wrapping, and store standards
• Set clear expectations for attendance, customer service, store appearance, and daily work
• Help coordinate coverage and communicate schedules and priorities
• Provide feedback and address performance concerns appropriately
• Lead by example on the sales floor

Schedule

The Store Manager generally works 45–50 hours per week, depending on season and store needs. The schedule includes regular weekends, holidays, Dartmouth-related events, and busy seasonal periods. During quieter periods, the Manager often works independently. Additional coverage is added during major shipments, Dartmouth weekends, and the holiday season.

Store hours:

• Mon–Sat: 9:30–6:00
• Sun: 10:00–5:00

The Ideal Candidate

You may be a strong fit if you:

• Enjoy engaging with customers and creating a welcoming experience
• Have a natural talent for selling and making thoughtful recommendations
• Take pride in beautiful displays and an orderly store
• Notice details and follow through without supervision
• Enjoy unpacking, arranging, pricing, and displaying merchandise
• Stay productive and self-directed during slower periods
• Can shift easily between customer service, selling, cleaning, receiving, and merchandising
• Have the ability to effectively multi-task
• Can train and guide a small part-time team
• Are dependable, positive, and comfortable taking ownership of the store
• Have retail, boutique, gift-shop, home-goods, bookstore, hospitality, or similar customer-facing experience
• Bring strong judgment, reliability, sales ability, and an eye for presentation
• Appreciate the character and independence of a locally owned business
• Have the ability to stand for long periods of time, bending, reaching, going up and down stairs, and must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Compensation & Benefits

• $60,000–$65,000 annual salary
• 10 paid vacation days
• Generous holiday cash bonus
• Generous 50% employee discount
• Free parking space behind the store
• Creative, independent work environment
• Direct access to and regular communication with owners
• No corporate bureaucracy or administrative reporting burden

Pay: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Paid time off

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Experience:

• Retail Management: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $60,000 - $65,000