Boutique Manager #2492

Gilder Search Group; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilder Search Group is seeking a Boutique Manager for a luxury fragrance, makeup, and skincare brand in the Oak Brook area. You will lead a boutique team, drive sales, and deliver exceptional client experiences, while embodying the brand values.

The role demands strong leadership, client focus, and expertise in luxury retail operations. You will develop your team, manage KPIs, and collaborate with Retail Operations to optimize performance, events, and customer loyalty.

Qualifications

• 3+ years as a Boutique Manager leading a team of 5–10 in luxury retail.
• Proven track record in achieving retail sales targets and client satisfaction.
• Experience planning and executing prestigious brand events and activations.
• Excellent selling and client service skills with storytelling ability.
• Fluent communication in local language; strong written and verbal skills.
• Digital savvy with POS and CRM tools; proficient in Microsoft Office suite.

Responsibilities

• Achieve retail sales targets and contribute to store KPIs.
• Lead by example on the sales floor with exceptional client experiences.
• Educate customers about brand and products through storytelling.
• Organize and supervise boutique operations and enviroment.
• Coordinate weekly store performance reporting to leadership.
• Develop monthly/quarterly strategies for business and client growth.
• Monitor market trends and identify opportunities for development.
• Host in-store events and remote actions to drive traffic and loyalty.
• Manage scheduling, payroll, and adherence to policies in partnership with HR.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

People management

Communication

Luxury retail knowledge

Brand storytelling

Digital skills

POS systems

Tools

Microsoft Office

Word

Excel

Outlook

HRIS systems

PowerPoint

Client tracking systems

POS

Job description

Since 1946, our organization has been driven by a commitment to excellence, creativity, and exceptional craftsmanship. Rooted in a rich heritage of innovation, we have continually redefined the standards of luxury across fragrance, makeup, and skincare by blending tradition with bold, forward-thinking ideas.

As part of a global leader in luxury goods, our North America team is passionate about delivering exceptional products and experiences that inspire confidence, beauty, and joy. We are looking for talented individuals who share our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence to join us on this exciting journey.

Job Description

As the Boutique Manager, you are the ultimate leader and brand ambassador of your boutique and represent our brand in the market. You are responsible for the management of the Boutique, your team and creating a positive and motivating environment. Your mission is to develop and lead your team to maximize store performance (sales and client management) while ensuring exceptional level of client service. Your passion and embodiment of the brand (values) will enable you to contribute to the wider development of the business and ensure that you continually develop personally and professionally.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

BUSINESS STRATEGY:

• Achieve retail sales targets and contribute to store and services KPIs on a monthly basis
• Display an exceptional example of our client experience. Sell our products by meeting our clients’ needs and provide memorable experiences through the highest standard of service. Follow the our signature methods at all times
• Educate customers on our brand and products. Share storytelling within every client interaction.
• Play an active role on the sales floor to lead the team by example and ensure a welcoming environment in the boutique
• Report on a weekly basis store performance to leadership as required
• Build and execute monthly/quarterly strategies to support business and client development objectives
• Gather & report market and competition trends and identify opportunities for commercial development
• Host leadership in-store: speak to business KPIs, team, competition, opportunities, etc. in line w/brand strategy

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT:

• Set and track realistic individual KPIs for employees and motivate staff through clear communication, and consistent coaching and feedback.
• Set and track realistic individual KPIs for employees and motivate staff through clear communication, and consistent coaching and feedback.
• Coach and develop skills and knowledge of all team members using our tools and training materials.
• Transmit your passion for retail and elevated client experiences. Spread a culture of excellence, client-centricity, and continuous improvement.
• Foster a positive working environment and create a culture of psychological safety, feedback, encouraging diversity, mutual respect and teamwork
• Oversee annual review process for all store employees
• Assist in recruiting top talent who embody the company Mission, Vision, and Values. Play an active role in their onboarding, development and retention
• In partnership with Retail Operations and HRBP, manage scheduling, time off requests, payroll, commission, overtime, employee relations, disciplinary action procedures, and ensure compliance with company policies and state and federal labor laws
• Ensure compliance to mandatory training programs as required

CLIENT EXPERIENCE:

• Ensure exceptional client and service centric mind-set in the team
• Ensure team are aware and supporting all client development and client experience strategies, goals, and standards
• Animate actively the implementation and success of our launch plan and animations
• Effectively manage internal and external communication to ensure successful events in store and/or remotely
• Proactively propose and execute in-store and remote actions to drive traffic to the store, to recruit new customers and to develop customer loyalty, guaranteeing excellent service
• Master and leverage client data to retain, recruit and grow client loyalty (CRM)
• Meet annual “voice of client” standards as defined by corporate (NPS, Client Experience Assessment + service signature)
• Organize, set up and host events (e.g. beauty classes), partnering with corporate events team on planning and execution, ensuring to meet our client experience standards

OPERATIONS:

• Effectively organize and manage timetables and floor coverage according to team and boutique activity
• Optimize stock levels and sell through by analyzing your sales and communicating with back office
• Ensure respect of all procedures towards sales, till, cash and stock management and report any issue to direct manager
• Champion the rollout of new systems, tools, policies and procedures within boutique while providing feedback on what’s working or not
• Ensure visual merchandising guidelines are applied to the highest standards
• Ensure health and safety of teams and procedures are managed and in line with guidelines
• Uphold and adhere to all boutique and company policies and procedures
• Coordinate with retail team to ensure POS maintenance and logistics
• Support on IT needs and issues

Qualifications

• 3 years + as a Business or Boutique Manager directly managing a team of 5 to 10 people minimum, preferably in the luxury retail environment or fragrance brand
• Proven track record in achieving retail results (sales and profitability)
• Proven record of working within a luxury retail environment
• Experience executing well planned and successful prestigious brand events (would be a plus)
• Excellent selling and customer service skills
• Strong beauty knowledge and rich vocabulary regarding beauty universe, trends and competitive landscape
• Exceptional ability to connect with clients and nurture long term client relationships
• People management experience (able to lead, manage, motivate, coach and develop people)
• Excellent writing, communication and interpersonal skills, fluent in “local language”
• Digital savvy; experience/comfortable with operational POS systems
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel. Outlook, HRIS systems, Power Point, Client tracking systems and Point of Sales (POS)
• Able to work on weekends, holidays and evenings