District Manager / Area Manager

The Opportunity: Makers Market is seeking an experienced District Manager to lead our California retail stores while helping shape the next chapter of our company's growth. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for building exceptional retail teams, developing Store Managers, driving sales performance, maintaining operational excellence, and ensuring every location consistently delivers an outstanding customer experience. Unlike traditional retail, success in this position isn't measured solely by sales. It is also reflected in the growth of the makers we support, the leaders you develop, the culture you create, and the communities your stores help build. This is not a traditional Monday-through-Friday desk job. The right person enjoys being in stores, coaching people, solving problems, identifying opportunities, and continually looking for ways to improve the business. They lead through accountability, collaboration, and example—not from behind a desk. As Makers Market continues to grow, this position offers the opportunity to help open new stores, develop future leaders, influence company strategy, and play a significant role in the continued growth of one of America's leading retailers of handcrafted American-made goods. Lead Great People Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, and develop exceptional retail talent. Coach, mentor, and develop Store Managers through regular one-on-one meetings, feedback, and leadership development. Build strong, engaged teams that consistently deliver exceptional customer experiences. Conduct weekly Store Manager meetings to review performance, priorities, and upcoming initiatives. Participate in bi-weekly leadership meetings with the executive team. Conduct monthly performance reviews and ongoing coaching conversations. Ensure all required onboarding, training, and development programs are completed. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, ownership, and continuous improvement. Drive Business Performance Lead the overall sales performance of the California district. Develop localized initiatives that increase customer traffic, strengthen community engagement, and support company marketing efforts. Identify creative opportunities to grow both retail and online sales by connecting customers with Makers Market's products and mission. Analyze sales trends and key business metrics to identify opportunities and develop action plans. Monitor sales, labor, conversion, average transaction value, units per transaction, payroll, staffing, and other key performance indicators. Prepare and maintain weekly and monthly business reporting. Deliver Operational Excellence Ensure every store consistently opens on time and operates according to company standards. Review staffing schedules to ensure labor aligns with business needs while maximizing customer service and productivity. Ensure schedules are prepared well in advance to support effective staffing. Maintain accountability for organization, cleanliness, inventory accuracy, merchandising, visual presentation, and operational compliance. Validate monthly bonus calculations and coordinate with payroll for timely processing. Ensure company policies, procedures, and operational standards are consistently executed across every location. Protect and Grow the Makers Market Brand Ensure every store consistently reflects the Makers Market brand and mission. Visit each California location at least once every two weeks to coach teams, inspect operations, reinforce merchandising standards, and support Store Managers. Coach employees on product knowledge, storytelling, consultative selling, and customer engagement. Partner with leadership to continuously improve store presentation, customer experience, and operational effectiveness. Identify opportunities to strengthen community relationships and build awareness of Makers Market within each local market.

What Success Looks Like: High-performing Store Managers who grow into confident leaders. Fully staffed, engaged retail teams with strong retention. Sales goals consistently achieved or exceeded. Beautiful, well-merchandised stores that reflect the Makers Market brand. Outstanding customer experiences across every location. Strong operational execution and accountability. Continuous improvements that strengthen the business. Meaningful support of the independent artists, makers, and small businesses that make Makers Market unique.

Who You Are: You are an experienced retail leader who enjoys building teams as much as building business. You're equally comfortable coaching a Store Manager, interviewing a new candidate, merchandising a display, analyzing sales trends, or brainstorming new ideas to improve performance. You thrive in an entrepreneurial environment where initiative is valued, priorities evolve, and your ideas can make a real impact. Most importantly, you believe exceptional retail begins with exceptional people.

Qualifications: Five or more years of progressive retail leadership experience, including responsibility for multiple locations or high-volume retail operations. Demonstrated success hiring, coaching, and developing high-performing retail teams. Strong understanding of retail operations, merchandising, inventory management, labor planning, and financial performance. Proven ability to analyze business performance and make sound, data-driven decisions. Excellent communication, leadership, organizational, and time management skills. Self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership and accountability. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. Passion for handcrafted products, independent makers, thoughtful design, and supporting American small businesses. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and modern retail POS and inventory management systems.

Travel Requirements: Regular travel between Makers Market's California stores- including Mill Valley, Napa, Lafayette, and Santana Row is an essential function of this position. The District Manager is expected to spend significant time working within stores to coach teams, evaluate operations, support Store Managers, and ensure consistent execution of company standards. Travel between these locations is a fundamental responsibility of the role and is required for success. Why Join Makers Market? Help preserve and grow the legacy of American craftsmanship. Support hundreds of independent artists, makers, and small businesses. Develop exceptional retail leaders and build high-performing teams. Work for a mission-driven, women-owned American small business. Make a visible impact on a growing retail brand. Help shape the future growth of Makers Market. Work alongside passionate, creative, entrepreneurial people who genuinely care about what they do. Makers Market is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where every employee is respected, valued, and empowered to succeed.