District Manager - Orlando, FL

District Manager (DM) has the responsibility to grow a portfolio of successful businesses by developing district level quarterly business plans to achieve each store's financial, operational and customer-service goals, while building and developing strong team leaders and succession planning for future leaders. District Managers act as a liaison for field advocacy and corporate initiatives and communication, ensuring that store perspective is represented and helping to resolve escalated problems. DMs drive sales performance, maximize gross profit margins through cost of goods management, manage total labor, monitor P&Ls for accuracy, and ensure proper inventory levels, building action plans for increased performance and growth.

Develop a team of leaders: motivate, coach, inspire and strengthen Store Managers as people managers and team builders, as well as business owners.

Effectively manages key guest issues, team and management staffing, store operations improvement, local store marketing initiatives, facilities management and adherence to all company policies and procedures.

1. Management

• Provide leadership for Management Team, create a culture of inclusion and empower store teams.

• Scheduled cadence for store visits (monthly) with completed store visit plan and actionable follow up

• Deliver consistency and quality store environments and processes through cleanliness and quality checks, including NSF and Secret Shop action plans for improvement

• Acts as the first line of defense to store operations issues and define action within stores and to support store teams, including loss prevention and security.

• Track Key Performance Indicators through the monitoring of Sales, Labor Costs, COGS and Inventory Controls. Including, but not limited to retail selling and engagement behaviors, acting on guest service complaints, daily and weekly sales reviews, inventory validation, schedule monitoring, standards of operations and availability of product.
• Ensure that the General Managers are meeting or exceeding expectations of company goals in terms of profitability, sales performance, team development and cleanliness/quality operations.
• Develop quarterly business plans for the district with individual goals for each store focused on building traffic, increasing revenue, controlling expenses to profitability, and developing leadership and succession.

1. Communication

• Communicates regularly with store team members regarding positive feedback, coaching, goals and performances issues regarding Sales, P&L, Quality Operations and Guest Service.
• Work through the Management Team and appropriate Corporate Personnel to design, develop and initiate local marketing programs.
• Promote the Ghirardelli product and brand everyday by creating ambassadors of Ghirardelli within our stores.
• Live and teach the Company values- Shares Passion, Leads by Example, Think and Operates Strategically, Collaborates Effectively, Develop Self and Others, Communicates Effectively, Drives for Results, Embraces Change, Fosters Innovation and Delights Customers.
• Communicate effectively with all levels of organization
• Promote an open-door policy through effective and timely communication to all areas of the organization.

1. Selection and Development

• Work in tandem with the Human Resources department to analyze and continually evolve best in class talent and succession planning.
• Take an active role in the selection, interview and hiring process of management and supervisory personnel. Work in tandem with HR to fill open positions to ensure a qualified bench is created for future internal and external positions.
• Counsel, coach and guide the Management Team on proper techniques for people challenges, while balancing operational complexity.
• Work to develop the skill level of the Management Team, continuing to increase talent and talent pool for succession planning.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, including leadership and analytical skills
• Accountability for financial skills knowledge of how to control a P/L and train how to analyze and deliver on results
• Ability to mentor and guide individuals using coaching, job knowledge, and motivational techniques to increase bench strength and build positive team culture.
• Time management and prioritization.
• Ability to delegate appropriately and help build capabilities.
• Ability to work with little or no supervision
• Knowledge of POS systems, particularly MICROS- competency on technological systems that support our regional locations.
• Helps managers develop coaching and training plans for the store staff to provide excellent customer service, enhance productivity, and market products to enhance sales and profits
• Accountable for delivering the short and long-term sales and profit results through people development and improved restaurant operations
• Required to travel by car or out of state 70 to 80% of the time.

• Bachelor's degree in management-related field and three or more years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Prior retail, restaurant, or similar industry experience managing multiple mid to high volume food/beverage establishments simultaneously; other experience managing a single or multiple retail establishments with high brand standards is qualifying as well as a district, area, or regional manager.
• Motivational, leadership, communication, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

• Spends 20% time at desk working on computer or telephone
• Spends 80% visiting site locations, including extensive travel within assigned region and work related in person meetings.