Area Manager

Position Overview:

Brown Jug is a premium retailer of wine, beer and spirits. We offer a great place to work, with a friendly atmosphere and energetic work environment. We provide our customers with convenience, selection, and top-notch service! We are seeking an Area Manager to provide leadership and direction of one of Alaska's premier retail chains in partnership with Store Managers, with a focus on delivering an exceptional customer experience. The Area Manager will train and develop team members while establishing a strong sales culture with accountability for operational excellence and achievement of financial and regulatory standards.

Primary/Major Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

People Management Skills:

• Effectively communicate with management and store teams, lead meetings, training, and coaching sessions, while keeping the team well informed of pertinent information
• Train, mentor, and develop management to deliver customer service excellence and ensure succession planning by identifying, developing, and inspiring future leaders
• Demonstrate consistent ability to work with management in the development, training, and leadership of high-performance teams
• Conduct regular follow-ups and ensure mandatory training is completed by management and store teams in designated area; identify incomplete training and create Action Plans
• Foster a collaborative, supportive, and engaging work environment within your area
• Ensure teams are trained on product selection and have successfully completed product knowledge training
• Train and support management on effective scheduling techniques by monitoring the creation of efficient weekly store schedules for both sales and support functions
• Provide timely coaching and progressive discipline when required; request assistance of leadership and/or Human Resources, as needed
• Facilitate store requests for hiring and position changes with Human Resources

Customer Offering:

• Lead management and store teams in the delivery of world-class customer service, effective sales techniques, merchandising standards, and store policies and procedures
• Observe and provide direction and feedback to management on customer-related issues; follow up on consistent customer issues and address them appropriately; celebrate successes and follow up on areas of opportunity
• Assist in the development of Action Plans that will positively impact stores sales, team development, and the overall customer experience
• Maintain and expand customer base by building and maintaining rapport with customers and capitalizing on new customer opportunities
• Understand and utilize the local market tends to attract and drive customer engagement and loyalty
• Evaluate new programs and promotions for effectiveness; provide suggestions and constructive feedback regarding the implementation of new initiatives
• Ensure management and store teams are consistently following best practices of customer service excellence; follow up with employees who lack adherence and create an Action Plans, as needed

Financial:

• Maintain accountability for the financial targets, profitability, and performance of designated area
• Ensure that goals will be met through appropriate planning and organization of labor, inventory, and finances for short- and long-term success
• Verify the creation of effective schedules by management; ensure compliance with Manager Cadence, customer-based schedules, and use of allotted hours
• Partner with management on the development of store-level budgets; review budgets against current and historical performance to calculate achievability and create an Action Plan for execution
• Analyze your area's sales, trends, and performance to improve or maintain metrics; create Action Plans with management when trends show a deficit in budgets
• Conduct monthly financial meetings with management to review the store's P&L statement; discuss planned versus actual performance results and create an Action Plan to combat missed targets
• Review and monitor the effectiveness of Loss Prevention programs that protect the company's inventory and assets
• Monitor inventory levels for designated area; increase or reduce levels based on current store volume, seasonality, promotion, and sales initiatives or another communicated basis

Day-to-Day Operations:

• Provide coaching, direction and follow-up to management and teams within designated area, through consistently scheduled store visits
• Identify and implement new strategies proactively, that will ensure the future success of the area
• Champion the training and professional development of all management and store teams
• Address all performance or behavioral issues within area in a timely manner; assist management with the creation of Corrective Action Forms and follow up with execution
• Ensure timely and accurate execution of company standards, programs and initiatives in the area
• Conduct scheduled weekly conference calls with management; communicate all relevant information from Store Support Center and senior management team
• Support management on sales results, margins, and expense controls of their store through the training and understanding of P&L statements
• Partner with management to ensure appropriate selection, inventory levels, and up-to-date Min/Max levels of all in-store products; verify through the monitoring of monthly inventory reports
• Complete Store Standards and Cleanliness Audits for all stores in area (as per audit schedule); support in the development of an Action Plan to correct any deficiencies and follow up on its completion
• Review Loss Prevention and Health and Safety audits for each store; support in the development of an Action Plan to correct any deficiencies and follow up on its completion
• Follow up on weekly margin, sales, and inventory reports; ensure management is trained on proper receiving processes and assist with any outstanding issues
• Address negative values for "On Hand" reports; train and support area on the management and minimization of "negative on hands," through proper inventory controls
• Ensure Area is proactive in the preparation of all upcoming sales and promotions; all sale-related products to be ordered, merchandised appropriately, and accompanied by sale signage
• Train and support management and respective teams on the promotion of preferred label products
• Action any maintenance issues in the area; follow up and track the status of repairs to ensure completion
• Maintain ability to manage multiple priorities at the same time and to work effectively with management and store teams to ensure deadlines are met
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Regulatory Adherence:

• Participate in regulatory inspections, audits, and required corrective actions
• Maintain Loss Prevention and Occupational Health and Safety training standards
• Ensure regulatory compliance valid State of Alaska Alcohol Server Certification (TAP or RServing)
• Ensure Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) and other government guidelines are met
• Adheres to all Afognak Native Corporation policies, with a focus on Social Responsibility

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Work Experience:

• Minimum, 5 years' experience in retail management (required)
• Experience in managing multi-unit retail stores or large hospitality establishments (preferred)

Education

• Post-secondary education or equivalent (preferred)
• Valid State of Alaska Alcohol Server Certification (TAP or RServing) is required
• First-Aid Certificate (preferred)
• Training in wine, beer, spirits (preferred)

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to frequently travel between store locations within a designated area
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule and be accessible outside of standard business hours which includes evenings, weekends, and some holidays
• Able to safely lift boxes up to 50 pounds
• Able to stand for an extended period

Other Skills and Capabilities:

• Results-oriented with a high degree of initiative, autonomy, and professionalism
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work with a high level of accuracy
• Effective management of multiple teams, while fostering an ownership mentality
• Strong time management skills and ability to manage conflicting priorities to meet deadlines
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in varying situations
• Proven people management skills, including recruiting, hiring, training, and developing others (required)
• Strong understanding of store operating reports, including P&L statements (required)
• Uphold confidentiality and ethics, and demonstrate a high level of discretion at all times (required)
• Analytical skills and strategic vision
• Experience driving top line sales through service excellence
• Ability to work independently, as well as in a team environment
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities effectively
• Proficient in Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, Teams, Project, and Outlook (required)
• Strong working knowledge of Point of Sale Systems and Microsoft Dynamics 365 (required)
• Strong working knowledge of Payroll Systems, including ADP
• Polished sales and presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including written and verbal communication
• Must pass a Criminal Record Check (required)
• Valid Driver's License and reliable transportation (required)

Equal Opportunity Employer
Afognak Native Corporation and Afognak's direct and indirect subsidiaries, partnerships, joint ventures and affiliates to include Alutiiq, LLC; Afognak Commercial Group, LLC; Alutiiq Professional Consulting, LLC; and each of their respective domestic and foreign, direct and indirect subsidiaries, partnerships, joint ventures and affiliates including but not limited to Liquor Stores USA North Inc. dba Brown Jug and dba Gold Rush Liquor (collectively referred to as "Afognak" or "Company") is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws (collectively, "Protected Status").

Pay Transparency and Company Benefits
The pay range information provided is a general guideline. The pay rate offered will be determined based on the candidate's experience and qualifications, as well as geographic locations, market data, and other business considerations, as permitted by law. Our full range of benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability protection, life insurance, prescription coverage, voluntary benefits, paid leave, and 401(k) retirement. Benefits are based on the role for which an employee is hired.

Privacy
Afognak Native Corporation and its subsidiaries Alutiiq, LLC, Afognak Commercial Group, LLC, and Alutiiq Professional Consulting, LLC, and their various subsidiaries, including Liquor Stores USA North Inc. DBA Brown Jug and Liquor Stores USA North Inc. DBA Gold Rush Liquor (collectively referred to as "Afognak" or "Company"), respect your privacy and treat the information you provide us, including your Personal Information ("PI") and Sensitive Personal Information ("SPI"), with care. Visit the Company's privacy website for more information.