Store Manager - Chicago

Polène

MAISON POLÈNE Founded in 2016, Polène is a French leather goods brand that distinguishes itself through outstanding artisanal craftsmanship, producing timeless pieces with organic designs inspired directly by nature. As we continue to experience significant growth and international expansion, 2026 marks an exciting chapter: we are building a strong, expert team to drive Polène’s excellence at every organizational level. Our artistic and creative spirit elevates both our handbag and jewelry collections, supported by 800 artisans in our Ubrique, Spain workshops. Join a passionate team dedicated to delivering exceptional customer experiences while helping establish Polène's presence in one of the country's premier luxury shopping destinations. Be part of the next chapter of the Polène story as we prepare to open our Chicago boutique on Oak Street this winter. ABOUT THE ROLE Polène boutiques immerse clients in our unique universe, attracting a high-end, international clientele. As Assistant Store Manager, you will support the Store Manager in leading the boutique, ensuring exceptional customer experiences while driving commercial performance and operational excellence. This role is ideal for an experienced luxury retail leader who thrives on coaching teams, building client relationships, and maintaining the highest standards of service and execution. As a key member of the leadership team, you will help establish the culture, processes, and performance expectations that will drive the success of our Chicago boutique. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT * Support the Store Manager in driving sales performance and achieving store revenue targets. * Represent Polène's excellence and promote the brand's products and craftsmanship on the sales floor. * Deliver and maintain an exceptional customer experience that reflects Polène's luxury standards. * Support the development of long-term client relationships and clienteling initiatives. * Assist in implementing CRM best practices to strengthen customer loyalty. * Identify opportunities to grow the client base and enhance in-store engagement. STORE MANAGEMENT * Support daily store operations and ensure adherence to company policies and procedures. * Collaborate with headquarters teams to maintain operational and strategic excellence in-store. * Assist with inventory management in coordination with the stock team and Procurement Officer. * Support customer service processes including repairs, warranties, returns, and exchanges. * Ensure the boutique maintains exceptional visual merchandising and presentation standards. * Assist with store opening preparation, team readiness, and post-opening operational execution. TEAM MANAGEMENT * Lead by example on the sales floor and embody the values of Maison Polène. * Support coaching, development, and performance management of the boutique team. * Assist with staff scheduling and ensure appropriate sales floor coverage. * Participate in recruiting, onboarding, and training new employees. * Support daily team briefings and help motivate the team to achieve store goals. * Foster a collaborative, positive, and high-performing work environment. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR * Minimum 3–5 years of retail leadership experience, preferably within a luxury retail environment. * Strong leadership and team management skills. * Demonstrated abilities in sales performance management and client development. * Passion for delivering elevated customer experiences. * Excellent organizational and communication skills. * Strong clienteling and relationship-building capabilities. * Experience supporting store openings is a plus. * Fluent in English; additional language skills are a plus. * Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS * Competitive annual salary range of $60,000 - $70,000, plus bonus incentive. * Monthly ICHRA medical stipend, allowing employees to choose the plan that works best for them. * Dental and vision insurance with employer contributions. * 401(k) plan. * Monthly and quarterly performance bonuses. * Paid Time Off, including vacation and sick time. * Employee discount on our full range of leather goods and jewelry. * Complimentary ClassPass membership to support employee wellness, fitness, and work-life balance. * Commuter benefits for transit (pre-tax, where applicable). * Opportunities for growth within our expanding U.S. retail network. * A supportive, inclusive culture rooted in craftsmanship, creativity, and teamwork. If you're passionate about luxury retail, team leadership, and helping build a best-in-class client experience from the ground up, we invite you to join us as we launch Polène's Chicago boutique on Oak Street this winter. Polène is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other protected characteristic as defined by law.

Polène

MAISON POLÈNE Founded in 2016, Polène is a French leather goods brand that distinguishes itself through outstanding artisanal craftsmanship, producing timeless pieces with organic designs inspired directly by nature. As we continue to experience significant growth and international expansion, 2026 marks an exciting chapter: we are building a strong, expert team to drive Polène’s excellence at every organizational level. Our artistic and creative spirit elevates both our handbag and jewelry collections, supported by 800 artisans in our Ubrique, Spain workshops. Join a passionate team dedicated to delivering exceptional customer experiences while helping establish Polène's presence in one of the country's premier luxury shopping destinations. Be part of the next chapter of the Polène story as we prepare to open our Chicago boutique on Oak Street this winter. ABOUT THE ROLE Polène boutiques immerse clients in our unique universe, attracting a high-end, international clientele. As Sales Manager, you will play a key role in driving sales performance, supporting the boutique team, and ensuring each client enjoys a memorable and elevated shopping experience. This role is ideal for an experienced luxury retail leader who is passionate about client service, team development, and commercial performance. As a member of the leadership team, you will help establish a culture of excellence while supporting the successful launch and ongoing performance of our Chicago boutique. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT * Support the achievement of daily, weekly, and monthly sales targets. * Deliver exceptional client service and represent Polène's craftsmanship and brand story. * Build strong client relationships and support clienteling initiatives. * Assist in identifying opportunities to strengthen client engagement and retention. * Support CRM and client outreach initiatives to drive customer loyalty and repeat business. * Analyze sales performance and partner with store leadership to execute action plans that drive results. STORE OPERATIONS * Support daily sales floor operations and ensure an elevated client experience at all times. * Maintain visual merchandising standards and overall store presentation. * Partner with the stock team to ensure product availability and inventory accuracy. * Assist with store opening and closing procedures. * Ensure all service standards and operational procedures are followed consistently. * Support store opening preparation and team readiness initiatives. TEAM LEADERSHIP * Support and coach Sales Advisors in delivering exceptional service and achieving sales goals. * Provide ongoing coaching on product knowledge, selling behaviors, and client engagement techniques. * Participate in daily team briefings and communicate sales objectives. * Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performing work environment. * Lead by example and embody the values and service standards of Maison Polène. * Assist in onboarding and developing new team members. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR * Minimum 2–4 years of experience in luxury or premium retail. * Previous supervisory or team lead experience preferred. * Strong interpersonal and communication skills. * Passion for luxury retail and customer service excellence. * Ability to motivate and support a team in a fast-paced environment. * Strong clienteling and relationship-building skills. * Experience supporting store openings is a plus. * Fluent in English; additional languages are a plus. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS * Competitive hourly rate of $28 - $33 per hour, plus bonus incentive. * Monthly ICHRA medical stipend, allowing employees to choose the plan that works best for them. * Dental and vision insurance with employer contributions. * 401(k) plan. * Monthly and quarterly performance bonuses. * Paid Time Off, including vacation and sick time. * Employee discount on our full range of leather goods and jewelry. * Complimentary ClassPass membership to support employee wellness, fitness, and work-life balance. * Commuter benefits for transit (pre-tax, where applicable). * Opportunities for growth within our expanding U.S. retail network. * A supportive, inclusive culture rooted in craftsmanship, creativity, and teamwork. If you're passionate about luxury retail, team leadership, and creating exceptional client experiences, we invite you to join us as we launch Polène's Chicago boutique on Oak Street this winter. Polène is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other protected characteristic as defined by law.

Polène

MAISON POLÈNE Founded in 2016, Polène is a French leather goods brand that distinguishes itself through outstanding artisanal craftsmanship, producing timeless pieces with organic designs inspired directly by nature. As we continue to experience significant growth and international expansion, 2026 marks an exciting chapter: we are building a strong, expert team to drive Polène’s excellence at every organizational level. Our artistic and creative spirit elevates both our handbag and jewelry collections, supported by 800 artisans in our Ubrique, Spain workshops. Join a passionate team dedicated to delivering exceptional customer experiences while helping establish Polène's presence in one of the country's premier luxury shopping destinations. Be part of the next chapter of the Polène story as we prepare to open our Chicago boutique on Oak Street this winter. ABOUT THE ROLE The Stock Manager plays a critical role in supporting boutique operations through effective inventory management and back-of-house organization. This role ensures efficient stock flow, accurate inventory control, and seamless collaboration between the stockroom and sales floor. As a key member of the leadership team, you will be responsible for establishing best-in-class stockroom operations while supporting the successful launch and ongoing performance of our Chicago boutique. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INVENTORY & STOCK MANAGEMENT * Oversee all stockroom operations, including deliveries, transfers, receiving, and inventory organization. * Maintain accurate inventory records and ensure inventory integrity at all times. * Perform regular cycle counts and support inventory audits. * Monitor stock levels and proactively identify inventory discrepancies. * Coordinate product replenishment and ensure timely product availability for the sales floor. OPERATIONS EXCELLENCE * Establish and maintain an organized, efficient, and secure stockroom environment. * Develop and uphold operational standards that support boutique performance. * Partner with headquarters and logistics teams regarding inventory movements and stock-related inquiries. * Ensure compliance with company policies and inventory control procedures. * Support store opening preparation and operational readiness initiatives. TEAM LEADERSHIP * Supervise Stock Associates and manage daily stockroom operations. * Train, coach, and develop stock team members on operational best practices. * Foster a collaborative partnership between the stockroom and sales teams. * Support scheduling, workload management, and task prioritization within the stock team. * Lead by example and contribute to a positive and team-oriented culture. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR * Minimum 3 years of experience in retail stock, inventory, or operations management. * Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred. * Strong organizational and operational management skills. * Experience with inventory systems and stock control procedures. * Excellent attention to detail and accuracy. * Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced retail environment. * Strong communication skills and collaborative mindset. * Experience supporting store openings is a plus. * Proficiency with Microsoft Office and inventory management systems. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS * Competitive hourly rate of $26 - $29 per hour, plus bonus incentive. * Monthly ICHRA medical stipend, allowing employees to choose the plan that works best for them. * Dental and vision insurance with employer contributions. * 401(k) plan. * Monthly and quarterly performance bonuses. * Paid Time Off, including vacation and sick time. * Employee discount on our full range of leather goods and jewelry. * Complimentary ClassPass membership to support employee wellness, fitness, and work-life balance. * Commuter benefits for transit (pre-tax, where applicable). * Opportunities for growth within our expanding U.S. retail network. * A supportive, inclusive culture rooted in craftsmanship, creativity, and teamwork. If you're passionate about operational excellence, inventory management, and building strong retail foundations, we invite you to join us as we launch Polène's Chicago boutique on Oak Street this winter. Polène is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other protected characteristic as defined by law.