District Sales Manager

General Position Summary

The District Sales Manager (DSM) is an inspiring field leader who supports and directs stores within a given geographic area to drive strategic product sell-through, deliver key business results, hire, and develop store associates. DSMs ensure that store operational principles are followed and that each store provides exceptional customer service by offering their expertise on Lids’ products and services. DSMs are accountable for all aspects of their district performance.

• Manage the district’s hiring strategy, including planning / pipeline needs, recruitment strategy, projected turnover, and leaves of absence. Develop Store Managers (SM) in the skills of recruiting and training to continually strengthen the talents and results in the market.
• Share role and behavior expectations and coordinate onboarding training programs to acclimate new team members to Lids.
• Engage team members by creating a fun and productive environment, including helping them understand how their work supports the success of the district and Lids overall.
• Contribute to a respectful and inclusive team environment by establishing supportive working relationships and adhering to Lids Brand Standards (e.g. company dress code, etc.)
• Perform people-related actions to update team member personnel information, including completing wages, executing job changes or transfers, and other documentation.
• Hold SMs accountable for managing and developing their store team.
• Address all employee concerns or issues and administer the progressive steps of discipline, including knowing when to partner with internal support (e.g. HR, RD, etc.) to take appropriate action.
• Drive team engagement through impactful store visits and follow-up by ensuring district-wide store management team is provided recognition, gap assessment, ongoing training, and continuous check-ins, including performance management and documentation when relevant, to support and reinforce career and personal growth.
• Provide consistent, documented appraisal of store’s performance and work to give feedback on areas of strength and opportunity while keeping in line with Company objectives.
• Collaborate across districts and/or regions and ensure compliance of all established company policies, procedures, and guidelines including, but not limited to, safekeeping of company inventory, funds, and property.

• Ensure that stores are delivering exceptional customer service, achieving key performance indicators (KPIs), and sales target by conducting at minimum bimonthly store visits.
• Create a “selling culture” within stores by training and coaching on selling techniques with all associates and provide feedback and documentation following each store visit.
• Resolve customer feedback and address issues, including customer escalations, urgent requests, and resolve to “make it right” for customers.
• Manage and direct in-store team members to ensure optimal customer service that values customers’ time and supports overall store operations.
• Drive customer participation in special offers such as Access Pass, Fanatics Sports book, etc.

• Manage district’s compliance within the scheduling and payroll process to align with budget, policies, procedures, and applicable law.
• Hold SMs accountable to planning, preparing, and managing the schedule according to labor requirements, availability, safety requirements, inventory management and budget
• Utilize retail management tools and analyze financial reports to identify and address trends and issues in district performance.
• Manage business disruptions and provide operational continuity (e.g. store closures, employee absenteeism, schedule / wages, operating hours impact, etc.). Perform work / essential functions of subordinates as needed.
• Manage operations-focused company-level directives, promotions, and initiatives (e.g. from Lids HQ)
• Understand and adhere to people safety policies and procedures to maintain a safe work environment.
• Ensure store technology and equipment is maintained as instructed– MPOS, Lids Custom, etc.

• Oversee district’s product strategy, including supervision and oversight of receiving, processing, merchandising, and exiting.
• Monitor and manage sell-through by monitoring store product levels and ensuring inventory accuracy.
• Ensure adherence to visual brand standards, inclusive of optimal layout and visual merchandising (VM) or product presentation strategy, window activations, hardware flips, mannequin flips, and seasonal or weekly merchandise changes.
• Monitor execution of special pricing signage and promotional presentation adjustments during operating hours to align with overall product sell-through strategy.