If you are a driven, determined, and forward-thinking individual who is looking to join a passionate retail organization, we are seeking an Area Sales Manager for the Fashion Bug division of Charming Shoppes, Inc for the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area.

Our stores are staffed by an exceptional  group of retail professionals who are devoted to providing world class customer service and making our customers feel confident they have purchased items at a great value that will make them look and feel their best. This is where you want to be!

An Area Manager will provide support and guidance in sales, staffing, merchandising, communication, operations and profitability of the stores in their assigned 3-4 stores.  Select Area Sales Managers will also be responsible for overall operations of their home store location.

Primary Job Duties

Goals Achievement:

• Demonstrate leadership abilities in driving sales productivity within area
• Monitor and evaluate individual store performance in the following areas:  sales volume, hourly production, units per transaction (UPTs), charge accounts, loss prevention, CPS capture rate, customer service and any others designated by Corporate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Where needed, with store management, develop, implement and monitor action plans to ensure the achievement of stores' assigned performance goals.

Merchandise Management/Visual Merchandising:

• Ensure that all stores maintain merchandise presentation according to Visual Merchandising standards and current floor sets.
• Understand and communicate Planning and Distribution and customer merchandise needs recognize when the stores' merchandise assortment meets, or fails to meet those needs.
• Maintain an awareness of inventory content in all assigned stores.
• Balance merchandise within area/city or out of district based on direction from District Sales Manager or Regional Sales Director.  Move merchandise if necessary.
• Recommend changes to store profiles when appropriate.  Submit proposed revisions to District Sales Manager or Regional Sales Director.

Store Operations:

• Visit stores within each area of supervision; conduct quarterly shrink audits and store visit reviews to monitor consistent achievement of brand standards and business results.
• Communicate the status of local competition and local business conditions as required.  Keep District Sales Manager informed of any significant changes.
• Ensure that payroll is maintained within approved budgets for area/city stores.

Training:

• Ensure all management staff has successfully completed the Store Management Training Program, the Management Skills Training Programs and Associate Training Programs.
• Work closely with Training Managers to ensure new Store Managers are appropriately trained.
• Communicate changes in store policies and procedures to managers within district and ensure that changes are implemented correctly.  Personally follow all policies and procedures and sets a positive example for staff

Loss Prevention:

• Supervise all policies and procedures regarding loss prevention, security, zone defense and ensure they are followed in area/city.
• Maintain acceptable inventory shortage.
• Understand and properly handle worker's compensation and public liability situations/reports.
• Ensure bank deposits are made by store management, as directed.
• Ensure safety of associates by identifying dangerous situations, correcting and reporting them.
• Ensure that Training audit of each store in area/city is done once per season or as directed and prior to a manager leaving the Company.  Communicate results and give appropriate feedback and coaching.
• Monitor all other expenses for which managers are responsible within budgetary guidelines.

Human Resources/Management Skills:

• Effectively recruit, hire, train, and supervise Store Sales Managers, while maintaining an indirect responsibility for associates and other management personnel within area/city.
• Demonstrate professionalism when dealing with customer or associate problems/complaints.
• Maintain an acceptable turnover rate within area.
• Provide coaching and feedback to assigned Managers on a regular basis.
• Accurately assesses the performance of Store Sales Managers in district and effectively complete performance appraisals and other Human Resources documentation in a timely and efficient manner. 
• Handle disciplinary situations, including termination, as necessary and within Company guidelines.

Fundamental Competencies

• Learning and Development
• Teamwork
• Customer Service
• Personal and Professional Integrity
• Strategic Thinking
• Results Orientation

We offer a very competitive salary and benefits for full time associates:

· Health Care and Vision benefits

· 401(k) and Pension benefits

· Stock Purchase Plan

· Life Insurance

· Paid Vacations

· Very generous employee store discount

• High school diploma or equivalent. College preferred, but not required.
• Proven retail mult-unit experience, soft line preferred
• 6-7 years retail experience, with a minimum of four years of management experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Acute problem solving skills and the ability to make sound decisions.