Director of Retail at The People Brand (Manhattan Beach, CA)Director of Retail

Director of Retail Location: Southern California (Hybrid) Reports To: General Manager The Opportunity A rapidly growing lifestyle consumer brand is launching its owned retail channel and seeking an entrepreneurial Director of Retail to build the retail organization from the ground up. This is a rare opportunity to create the retail playbook from day one—leading the launch of the company's first stores while establishing the operational foundation, talent strategy, and scalable processes needed to support long-term growth. The ideal leader enjoys building, thrives in founder-led environments, and is equally comfortable setting strategy and rolling up their sleeves to execute.

Build & Scale Retail Develop and execute the owned retail strategy alongside executive leadership. Lead the successful launch of the company's first retail locations. Create scalable retail operating procedures, playbooks, and best practices. Help shape the long-term growth strategy as the retail fleet expands. Retail Operations Initially lead the flagship store while establishing operational excellence. Drive store performance through strong execution, customer experience, and financial management. Monitor key retail KPIs including sales, conversion, payroll, traffic, inventory, UPT, AOV, and profitability. Continuously improve operational efficiency and the in-store experience. Leadership & Talent Recruit, hire, onboard, coach, and develop high-performing retail teams. Build the retail organizational structure as additional stores open. Develop future store leaders and cultivate a strong culture of accountability and service. Brand & Community Create engaging retail experiences that reflect the brand's lifestyle and values. Partner with Marketing on local events and community initiatives. Help establish each location as a destination within its local market. Cross-Functional Partnership Collaborate closely with Merchandising, Planning, Marketing, eCommerce, Operations, and Finance. Support assortment planning, inventory strategy, forecasting, and product launches. Utilize retail analytics and POS reporting to drive business decisions and identify opportunities for improvement.

8+ years of progressive retail leadership experience. Experience leading multi-unit retail operations. Proven success opening new stores and helping scale a retail organization. Background in founder-led, entrepreneurial, or high-growth consumer brands. Strong understanding of retail operations, merchandising, labor planning, inventory management, and financial performance. Experience with Shopify POS or similar retail technology platforms is preferred. Exceptional leadership, coaching, communication, and project management skills. Willingness to travel regularly between retail locations. Ideal Background This opportunity is ideal for an emerging Director of Retail, District Manager, or Area Manager who has played a meaningful role in growing a retail business and is ready to own an entire retail channel. The successful candidate combines strategic thinking with a hands-on approach, has experience opening stores, building teams, developing operational processes, and partnering cross-functionally to drive business results. They are energized by building something from the ground up and understand how to create memorable retail experiences that strengthen both brand and community.