Assistant Manager

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Full Time Brattle, Cambridge, MA, US

9 days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $25.00 To $28.00 Hourly

We make objects for people who are curious about the world.
We make fountain pens, notebooks, watercolors, leather goods, house shoes, sunglasses, and other tools that help people think, create, travel, and live with greater attention.

We believe the most important moments rarely begin with certainty. They begin with a question, a blank page, a wrong turn, or a thought not yet fully formed.

To be lost is not always a problem to solve. It is often where discovery begins. We make tools for those moments.

A pen to discover what you think. Paper to give shape to an idea. Watercolors to slow down and see more carefully. Objects to carry through the world. House shoes that mark the transition from the outside world to the sanctuary of home.

As a Japanese company, many of these rituals are inspired by Japanese life, where simple acts are elevated through repetition, attention, and care.

Designed between Boston and Tokyo, our products are developed with exceptional makers, craftspeople, and industrial designers around the world. We seek lasting materials, enduring construction, and timeless utility—not because objects are meant to be admired, but because they are meant to be used.

Our shops are found in some of the world’s great creative neighborhoods. More than stores, they are places to discover tools, exchange ideas, attend workshops, and spend time with others who share a love of making, writing, drawing, and thoughtful living.

The best tools earn their place quietly and become more valuable with time.

As an Assistant Manager at Topdrawer, you are the Store Manager’s right hand and a key driver of store performance. You step confidently into leadership—often running the store in the Manager’s absence—and help set the tone for culture, service, and operations. You bring Topdrawer’s philosophy of quiet design to life by balancing exceptional customer experience with strong business acumen.

This role is both operational and strategic: you coach and motivate the team, oversee day-to-day execution, and partner with your Store Manager on sales, KPIs, and long-term planning. It’s an ideal opportunity for an emerging retail leader ready to take full ownership of results while preparing to grow into a Store Manager.

• Deliver and model a warm, educational, and highly personalized customer experience
• Hold the team accountable for Topdrawer’s service and storytelling standards
• Partner with the Store Manager to build local community connections and brand awareness
• Act as Manager-on-Duty, leading the floor and making key decisions during shifts
• Coach, develop, and give feedback to team members to drive performance and growth
• Support hiring, onboarding, and ongoing training to build a strong, capable team
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performance culture

• Oversee daily operations including opening/closing, inventory flow, and cash handling
• Ensure visual merchandising and floor sets are executed to brand standards
• Take ownership of operational compliance, safety, and supply management
• Partner with leadership on execution of product launches and seasonal campaigns

• Co-own sales goals, KPIs, and financial results with the Store Manager
• Analyze store performance and identify opportunities to increase sales and profitability
• Help manage labor scheduling and productivity to optimize results
• Drive accountability for achieving revenue, conversion, and customer experience metrics

• A motivated retail leader with 2–3 years of supervisory or management experience
• Skilled in coaching, feedback, and motivating a team toward results
• Detail-oriented and organized, with strong operational and problem-solving skills
• Passionate about intentional living, design, and creating meaningful customer connections
• Curious, ambitious, and ready to take the next step toward Store Manager