Leather Goods Design Assistant (6-month Fixed-Term Contract)

Polène

Founded in 2016, the French leather goods brand Polène stands out for its exceptional artisanal craftsmanship, creating timeless pieces with organic designs directly inspired by nature. In a context of strong growth and international expansion, in 2026 we are following the process of structuring our operations and surrounding ourselves with top talent to develop deep expertise at every level of our organization. Our distinctly artistic positioning supports the elevation of our handbag and jewelry collections, backed by 800 artisans in our workshops located in Ubrique, Spain. The Polène story can be written with you: join us in store and contribute to this adventure at the heart of our new boutique, where a passionate team works to offer an exceptional customer experience. AS PART OF OUR BOUTIQUE TEAM Polène boutiques embody our brand’s universe, reflecting our positioning that attracts a high-end, international clientele. By applying for this position, you are embarking on a journey where a passion for luxury leather goods and an unwavering dedication to exceptional service will define your daily endeavors. Our new opening store in Dubaï will require experienced individuals capable of delivering remarkable experiences to our demanding customers. As an Assistant Store Manager, you support the Store Manager in daily tasks and assist in managing the team and driving sales growth. You are also involved in the operational management of the store and contribute to its smooth operation and performance. Your responsibilities will include: Business development * Assist the Store Manager in proactively managing sales revenue and implementing action plans or processes to boost sales and improve teamwork. * Help represent the excellence of Polène and its products in our store. * Provide and ensure an excellent customer experience. * Participate in identifying market opportunities to attract new customers. * Be proactive and exemplary in implementing a premium CRM. Store Management * Communicate and collaborate with headquarters teams on the store's operational and strategic topics to build and maintain operational excellence. * Assist in stock management in the store with the stock team and oversee proper communication of needs with the Procurement Officer. * Contribute to optimizing customer service processes in-store, including repairs, warranties, returns, and exchanges, to maximize efficiency and customer satisfaction. Team Management * Foster a collaborative, positive, and harmonious working environment that conveys the DNA of Maison Polène. * Identify training needs for your teams and work in collaboration with the Retail Excellence and Training Manager. * Optimize staff management and scheduling to cover all essential tasks related to business activity. * Participate in recruiting, onboarding, and training new employees. * Contribute to motivating the teams through inspiring, challenging, and engaging daily briefings. KEYS TO SUCCESS * You have significant experience of at least 3 years in a luxury brand and a minimum of one year in a managerial position within a luxury store. * You possess excellent leadership and team management skills and are a natural leader, able to motivate, unite, and inspire your team members. * You have strong skills in business development, performance management, and organization. * You are fluent in English (knowledge of another language is a plus). * You are proficient in Microsoft Office. Polène is committed to ensuring inclusive recruitment processes and to selecting and promoting each candidate in an ethical and fair manner.

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.

Mulberry

Born in 1971, the roots of Mulberry are in Somerset, England. For more than fifty years, Mulberry has been a British lifestyle brand, internationally acclaimed for quality and design capturing the Mulberry Spirit. Sustainability has been part of the Mulberry ethos since the brand's inception, in recognition of our purpose-driven approach, in 2024 we proudly achieved B Corp Certification.  Today, we are a global brand, but our values remain the same; we are committed to improving our impact on people and the planet. To do this our people are honest, dynamic, and community spirited. If these are values you share, we would love you to join our team. We are seeking a highly motivated and creatively driven Junior Designer to join ourLeather Goods Design team within a British leather goods and lifestyle brand. This is an exciting opportunity for a designer with a passion for craftsmanship, materials, and contemporary modern product design across handbags, small leather goods, jewellery, gifting, and lifestyle accessories. Working closely with the design and development teams, you will support the creation of commercially relevant and beautifully crafted products from concept through to development, reporting to the Senior Leather Goods Designer. Duties & Responsibilities: Support the design team across handbags, small leather goods, jewellery, gifting, and lifestyle categories Research: seasonal inspiration, materials, colours, trims, and market trends Develop design concepts through hand sketching, digital renderings, and 3D mock-ups Create technical specification sheets and detailed design documentation for product development Produce Photoshop renderings Assist in handbag construction development and leather goods prototyping, working closely with Product Development Team and factories.  Build physical 3D mock-ups and prototypes to support design and development Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product development and production, merchandising and image Maintain organised archives of design files, materials, and technical information Culture: Understand and demonstrate the Mulberry employee values and behaviours: Be Bold, Be Imaginative, Be Open, Be Responsible. Support Mulberry to deliver an inclusive culture, through behaving in a way that is open-minded and respectful towards others, and understanding that your views, opinions, and experiences may not always be shared by your colleagues. Act as an ambassador for Mulberry and communicate positively about the brand.   Sustainability:   As a certified B Corp, we are committed to using business as a force for good. You’ll be encouraged to incorporate environmentally and socially responsible practices into your work, supporting our Made to Last strategy across Climate, Circularity, and Community.  Help foster a culture where diversity is celebrated and every individual feels valued, respected, and included. Champion equity, empathy, and understanding in all interactions - internally and externally.   Skills & Knowledge: