Head of Retail Sales & Operations

Head of Retail Sales & Operations

Specialty retail, arts & crafts

Onsite in Portland, Oregon

Are you a hands-on retail leader who knows how to build a strong team, improve operations, and turn business goals into results?

Our client, a family-owned specialty retailer in the art industry, is looking for a Head of Retail to lead its retail operation, develop its team, and help grow a business that has been serving the art community for generations. This is an opportunity for a people-oriented leader who enjoys creating structure, solving problems, improving performance, and making a tangible impact on a healthy business.

As a family-owned company, our client takes pride in personal relationships, dependable service, and helping customers bring their creative ideas to life. They’re looking for someone who shares those values and can pair a genuine commitment to customer service with the business acumen and leadership skills to run an efficient, profitable operation.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Head of Retail will own the day-to-day performance of retail operations, working closely with ownership and collaborating across purchasing, manufacturing, shipping, and administrative teams.

You’ll lead a small retail team, establish clear expectations, strengthen processes, and identify opportunities to improve sales, profitability, inventory management, and the customer experience. You’ll have the autonomy to make decisions, address challenges proactively, and build systems that allow the business and its people to succeed without constant oversight.

In addition to retail operations, you’ll oversee the day-to-day management of classroom and educational programming, helping ensure classes and workshops run smoothly and deliver a positive experience.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Lead Retail Operations

• Own daily store operations, ensuring the retail environment is organized, well-stocked, welcoming, and running efficiently
• Establish consistent procedures and workflows that improve accountability, reduce errors, and support business growth
• Take initiative in resolving operational challenges and making sound day-to-day decisions
• Oversee weekly operation of the classroom, studio, and workshops, ensuring smooth programming

Build and Develop a Strong Team

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of 4-6 retail employees
• Set clear expectations, manage performance, and address staffing and employee concerns constructively
• Strengthen hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, and performance management practices so the team can operate confidently and independently

Drive Sales and Profitability

• Monitor sales trends, product performance, margins, labor costs, and inventory turnover
• Identify ways to increase sales, improve merchandising, manage costs, and strengthen overall performance
• Use reporting and business insights to inform decisions and keep the team focused on results

Improve Inventory, Systems, and Processes

• Oversee inventory accuracy, replenishment, product presentation, and pickup processes
• Partner across departments to coordinate inventory needs, ensure a smooth flow of product & information
• Improve operational procedures, documentation, training materials, and use of business systems

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

Classroom & workshop programming experience

• Model a welcoming environment for all, from beginning hobbyists and students to professional artists, schools, and manufacturers
• Management of customer concerns: Continually look for ways to improve the shopping experience
• Operational oversight: Instructor coordination, supplies, and classroom/workshop readiness
• Strong partnership with office and marketing teams to support educational programming, improve the student experience, and identify opportunities to expand offerings

Retail operations experience: A track record of managing retail operations, preferably in specialty retail, a family-owned business, or a similarly hands-on environment.

People leadership: Experience developing employees, setting expectations, managing performance, and building a reliable, accountable team

Business acumen: An understanding of retail sales, margins, labor costs, inventory management, merchandising, and profitability

Operational discipline: The ability to develop practical procedures, improve workflows, reduce errors, and create consistency

Sound judgment and initiative: Confident decision making, problem resolution, and priority management

A hands-on approach: A willingness to work alongside the team while keeping an eye on the bigger picture

Comfort with technology: Experience using POS systems, inventory software, and business reporting tools

Bonus points for: Experience in creative specialties such as art supplies, ceramics, or other specialty retail.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

You’ve built a retail operation that runs smoothly, consistently, and profitably. Your team understands its responsibilities, takes ownership of its work, and can keep things running when you’re away. Inventory is more accurate, processes are dependable, customer experiences are consistently positive, and sales and margins are moving in the right direction.

Most importantly, ownership has confidence that the retail operation is in capable hands, with a leader who anticipates challenges, follows through, and creates practical solutions that support continued growth.