Retail General Manager

Director of Sales and Operations – Furniture, Appliances & Home Improvement

Start 10/15/26 or ASAP

Stu’s Home Improvement Outlet | Dubuque, Iowa

Full-Time | On-Site

Take Ownership of the Store. Build the Team. Drive Growth.

Stu’s Home Improvement Outlet is hiring an experienced, hands-on General Manager to take responsibility for the store’s day-to-day operations, sales performance and employee development.

The owner will focus on purchasing inventory, supplier relationships and business development. You will run the store—leading the team, making decisions, improving processes and ensuring customers are taken care of.

We need someone ready to lead from day one, assess what needs to change and execute improvements—not someone learning store management for the first time.

The Experience We Are Looking For

You must have personally run a high-ticket, commission-driven retail store selling furniture, appliances, flooring or related home products.

Relevant backgrounds include Nebraska Furniture Mart, Ashley, American Freight, ABC Warehouse or comparable furniture and appliance retailers.

This is a store-level operating role, not a district-management position. District or regional oversight alone does not meet our requirements. Experience limited to Lowe’s, Home Depot, Costco, Walmart or similar big-box environments is not the background we are seeking.

Your Responsibilities

Run Daily Operations

• Own staffing, scheduling, sales-floor coverage and daily execution.
• Make timely decisions within agreed authority without relying on the owner for routine issues.
• Improve showroom layout, merchandising, pricing and inventory accuracy.
• Coordinate warehouse operations, receiving, deliveries and customer pickups.
• Resolve customer concerns and oversee warranty and service procedures.
• Establish clear responsibilities, practical checklists and consistent accountability.
• Keep the owner informed through concise reporting on sales, profitability, staffing and operational priorities.

Train and Build the Team

• Assess the current team and immediately begin hands-on training.
• Recruit, hire and develop productive commission-based salespeople.
• Teach closing, objection handling, financing and CRM follow-up.
• Lead daily sales meetings and coach employees on the floor.
• Set clear expectations and address performance problems promptly.
• Personally sell and close deals while building the team.

Increase Traffic and Revenue

• Own store sales goals and profitable revenue growth.
• Understand how social media, Facebook Marketplace, promotional videos and advertising generate store traffic.
• Ensure marketing activity produces qualified leads and measurable sales.
• Implement consistent CRM follow-up with leads, unsold shoppers and past customers.
• Ensure every shopper receives attentive service and a manager introduction before leaving without purchasing.
• Train the team to confidently explain financing and lease-to-own options.

Prepare for Expansion

• Build systems that allow the store to operate successfully without the owner’s daily involvement.
• Develop future managers and team leaders.
• Help prepare for planned expansion into new markets within the next 12 months.

Required Qualifications

• Proven success personally managing an entire high-ticket retail store.
• Experience recruiting, training and leading a commission-based sales team.
• Strong personal selling and closing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to improve sales and team performance.
• Working knowledge of furniture, appliances, flooring or home-improvement products.
• Understanding of merchandising, financing, delivery operations and warranties.
• Ability to build processes and make improvements in an entrepreneurial environment.
• Professional, approachable presence and strong communication skills.
• Integrity, sound judgment and a willingness to take ownership.
• Availability for retail hours, including evenings and weekends.

Experience opening, rebuilding or turning around a store is strongly preferred.

Compensation and Growth

Base salary: $60,000–$80,000 per year, plus performance-based bonuses or commissions.

For an exceptional candidate with a strong record of running a high-volume furniture, appliance or home-improvement store, total annual compensation may reach approximately $80,000–$110,000 or more, depending on store performance and the compensation structure.

The final package will reflect proven experience, leadership ability, sales results and the scope of responsibility. Broader leadership opportunities may develop as the company expands.

Apply

Submit your resume and briefly answer:

• What store did you personally run, and what were its monthly or annual sales?
• How many commission-based salespeople did you lead?
• What measurable improvements did you make in sales, training or operations?
• What would you prioritize during your first 30 days at Stu’s?

We are looking for a proven operator who can take the wheel—not just hold a management title.

Stu’s Home Improvement OutletNever Pay Retail Again!

Pay: Up to $200,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Managing a Furniture Store: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $60,000 - $80,000