Director of Sales & Operations

Compensation:
Competitive Base Salary + Uncapped Bonus & Commission

Specialized Recruiting Group is partnering with a rapidly growing retail organization in the Dubuque, IA area to identify a Director of Sales & Operations. This is a high-impact leadership role for a hands‑on sales leader who thrives in fast‑paced, results‑driven environments.

Candidates who are open to relocation are encouraged to apply.

The company operates in the value and discount retail space, offering appliances, furniture, and home improvement products at significantly reduced prices compared to traditional big‑box retailers. With strong growth underway, they are looking for a leader who can immediately improve sales performance while helping build the foundation for multi‑location expansion.

This role is ideal for someone who is equally comfortable leading from the sales floor and building long‑term strategy. The Director of Sales & Operations will take ownership of sales performance, team development, and process improvement, with a strong focus on driving immediate revenue growth and operational efficiency.

This is a highly visible leadership role working directly with ownership and influencing both day‑to‑day execution and long‑term business direction.

• Lead and develop the sales team to achieve consistent performance against daily, weekly, and monthly targets
• Evaluate current sales processes and implement improvements to drive conversion and revenue growth
• Act as a player‑coach by actively engaging in sales alongside the team when needed
• Develop and execute promotional strategies, pricing initiatives, and in‑store events to drive traffic and sales
• Build and expand B2B relationships with contractors, landlords, property managers, and real estate professionals
• Improve overall customer experience to increase repeat business and referrals
• Monitor key sales metrics and report performance insights to ownership
• Foster a high‑energy, accountable, and performance‑driven sales culture

This position is designed with long‑term advancement in mind:

• Phase 1: Immediate focus on improving sales performance and store execution
• Phase 2: Development of scalable systems, training processes, and sales playbooks to support growth
• Phase 3: Advancement into broader operational leadership as the company expands into additional locations

• 5+ years of experience in sales leadership (retail, wholesale, or direct‑to‑consumer environments)
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets
• Experience leading or turning around a sales team or retail location
• Strong ability to coach, motivate, and hold teams accountable
• Hands‑on leadership style with the ability to operate at both strategic and tactical levels
• Experience in discount retail, liquidation, appliances, furniture, or home improvement is highly preferred
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on results and ownership
• Competitive base salary based on experience
• Uncapped bonus and commission structure tied to performance
• Direct access to ownership with minimal corporate structure
• Clear path toward senior operational leadership as the company grows
• Employee discount on store merchandise