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

Polène

ABOUT POLÈNE Founded in 2016, Polène is a French leather goods house known for its timeless creations, combining exceptional craftsmanship with an organic design language inspired by nature. As Polène continues to grow internationally, we are strengthening our organization and investing in top talent across all functions. Supported by 800 artisans in our workshops in Ubrique, Spain, we continue to elevate the value and distinctiveness of our leather goods and jewelry collections.   WITHIN OUR RETAIL TEAMS Polène boutiques bring the brand universe to life and welcome a demanding local and international clientele. Located in one of Tokyo’s most premium retail environments, the Omotesando boutique requires a strong sales-focused and operationally minded leader, capable of maintaining high service standards while supporting smooth day-to-day execution. ASSISTANT STORE MANAGER REPORTING TO: Store Manager DIRECT REPORT: Sales Manager MAIN MISSION Reporting to the Store Manager, you support management in driving commercial activity, performance, and customer experience excellence. A true operational right-hand, you play a pivotal role by translating the strategic vision and action plans defined by the Store Manager into concrete daily actions on the ground. As an ambassador of Polène, you energize, develop, and motivate the team with agility to turn set objectives into collective successes, while ensuring flawless execution of brand standards. YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Commercial Development & Performance Management ● Analyze daily performance indicators to boost sales and elevate customer experience. ● Working in tandem with the Store Manager, propose and implement concrete action plans to optimize results and individual team member performance. ● Contribute to the preparation of regular feedback and action plans (products, clients, market) for HQ. ● Develop customer experience and drive loyalty-building actions (CRM) and local partnerships. 2. Management & Team Development ● Train and support the managerial team Managers daily through regular coaching. ● Participate in recruitment and ensure the successful onboarding of new team members. ● Contribute to staff scheduling based on traffic and operating hours to ensure consistent service quality. ● Lead daily briefings and ensure information relay between management and the team. 3. Operational Excellence & Image ● Guarantee seamless brand experience by overseeing visual merchandising guidelines and maintaining a flawless store environment. You ensure that all team members embody Polène DNA through professional grooming and consistent attention to detail. ● Oversee stock control, rolling inventories, and shrinkage prevention. ● Ensure compliance with internal procedures (checkout, security, HR) and oversee personnel administrative tracking. . Soft Skills: Agility & Decision-Making ● Ability to solve complex problems with pragmatism. ● Diplomacy and firmness to ensure information relay between management and the team. ● Embodies Polène’s values in all professional interactions.

Polène

ABOUT POLÈNE Founded in 2016, Polène is a French leather goods house known for its timeless creations, combining exceptional craftsmanship with an organic design language inspired by nature. As Polène continues to grow internationally, we are strengthening our organization and investing in top talent across all functions. Supported by 800 artisans in our workshops in Ubrique, Spain, we continue to elevate the value and distinctiveness of our leather goods and jewelry collections.   WITHIN OUR RETAIL TEAMS Polène boutiques bring the brand universe to life and welcome a demanding local and international clientele. Located in one of Tokyo’s most premium retail environments, the Omotesando boutique requires a strong sales-focused and operationally minded leader, capable of maintaining high service standards while supporting smooth day-to-day execution. STORE MANAGER REPORTING TO: Area Manager DIRECT REPORT: Assistant Store Manager, Stock Manager MAIN MISSION Reporting to the Area Manager, you drive the commercial strategy and profitability of your profit center. Responsible for achieving ambitious targets, you closely analyze your key performance indicators (KPIs) to implement agile and innovative action plans. As an ambassador of Polène’s vision, you give meaning to HQ directives for your teams. As an inspiring leader, you unite and develop talent by cultivating a culture of performance, self-surpassing, and unwavering solidarity. YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Commercial Development & Performance Management ● Define targeted quantitative and qualitative objectives and ensure their achievement. ● Analyze daily performance indicators as well as results by product category. ● Implement action plans to reach sales targets. ● Provide qualitative feedback and actionable insights and act as a strategic liaison between the store and HQ. ● Ensure a seamless, transparent, and motivating flow of information, maintaining a solution-oriented approach to drive team engagement. 2. Leadership & Team Development ● Motivate, coach, and challenge the team daily to maintain a high level of skill. ● Identify, attract, and recruit talent in collaboration with the Retail management, HRBP and Talent Acquisition teams. ● Maintain a positive environment and be the guarantor of team cohesion, encouraging mutual support and a united stance. 3. Brand Ambassador & Customer Experience ● Promote the brand culture internally and externally in line with Polène's values. ● Oversee the clienteling approach and build an influence network to develop client loyalty. ● Ensure that the store atmosphere, Visual Merchandising, and team appearance comply with Polène’s standards. 4. Operational Management & Processes ● In close collaboration with the HRBP and the Area Manager, take responsibility for disciplinary matters. Ensure compliance with internal regulations, manage corrective actions when necessary, and oversee legal procedures with rigor and fairness. ● Ensure that all processes set up by legal, safety, and HR, are thoroughly respected. ● Optimize schedule management to match the business flow while respecting the budget and regulations. ● Oversee stock and inventories in collaboration with the Stock Team to ensure alignment with sales potential. ● Guarantee the quality of Polène’s image by proactively managing store maintenance needs. Soft Skills: Embody authority with empathy and vision. Emotional & Situational Intelligence: ● Ability to give meaning to HQ decisions, even during times of tension, to maintain team engagement. ● Combines clear, impactful communication with a decisive approach to problem-solving in fast-paced environments ● Inspiring leadership to cultivate unwavering solidarity and a positive environment. ● Embodies Polène’s values in all professional interactions.

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.