Field Training Manager

Design Within Reach; West Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k)

Job summary

Design Within Reach is seeking a Retail Training & Field Enablement Manager to develop, launch, and execute the retail learning strategy across MillerKnoll brands and stores. The role drives onboarding, leadership development, and consistent execution across a multi-market store fleet.

Based in NYC, Chicago, or another major market, it requires extensive travel and partnership with HR, Store Ops, Product, Marketing and Finance to deliver measurable improvements in selling, service and customer

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressive experience in retail training, learning & development, field leadership or retail operations.
• Demonstrated success designing and facilitating scalable learning programs.
• Strong understanding of retail selling, customer experience, leadership development and adult learning.
• Experience facilitating instructor-led and virtual learning.
• Exceptional presentation, coaching and communication skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to influence without direct authority and build cross-functional partnerships.
• Advanced Microsoft PowerPoint proficiency.
• Strong Microsoft Excel proficiency, including reporting and learning metrics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Office applications.
• Ability to travel extensively.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own the retail learning strategy and programs across multiple brands.
• Design, build, launch and improve onboarding, leadership and development programs.
• Create instructor-led, virtual and self-paced learning experiences.
• Develop playbooks, facilitator guides, materials, videos and certifications.
• Lead onboarding and certifications for new store openings.
• Coach leaders through field visits and workshops to reinforce selling behaviors.
• Partner with Store Ops, HR, Product, Marketing and IT to support retail priorities.
• Measure learning effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Retail training

Learning & development

Field leadership

Presentation

Coaching

Project management

Cross-functional partnerships

PowerPoint

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business

Bachelor's degree in Education

Bachelor's degree in Retail Management

Bachelor's degree in Organizational Development

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Word

Job description

Why join us?

At Design Within Reach, home comes first. We believe in creating and sourcing pieces that move with you and are meant to be enjoyed over a lifetime – from home to home, generation to generation. For us, that means exceptionally crafted, built-to-last, and beautifully designed furnishings.

Why join us?

At Design Within Reach, home comes first. We believe in creating and sourcing pieces that move with you and are meant to be enjoyed over a lifetime – from home to home, generation to generation. For us, that means exceptionally crafted, built-to-last, and beautifully designed furnishings.

Our purpose is design for the good of humankind. It’s the ideal we strive toward each day in everything we do. Being a part of Design Within Reach means being a part of something larger than your work team, or even your brand. We are redefining modern for the 21st century. And our success allows Design Within Reach to support causes that align with our values, so we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future for everyone.

About This Opportunity

The Retail Training & Field Enablement Manager is responsible for developing, launching, and executing the retail learning strategy across Design Within Reach, Knoll and Herman Miller retail stores. This role serves as the business owner for retail training, creating engaging learning experiences that develop selling capability, elevate the customer experience, strengthen leadership, and drive consistent execution across the store fleet.

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Stores and partnering closely with Human Resources, Store Operations, Product, Marketing, and other cross-functional teams, this leader will build scalable learning programs that support both new and existing associates throughout every stage of their development.

This role may be based in New York City, Chicago, or another major metropolitan market and requires extensive travel.

The ideal candidate is passionate about developing people, thrives in a fast-paced retail environment, and understands how effective training directly impacts sales performance, customer experience, associate engagement, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Retail Learning Strategy & Program Development

• Develop and own the retail learning strategy.
• Design, build, launch and continuously improve onboarding, leadership and development programs.
• Create instructor-led, virtual and self-paced learning.
• Develop playbooks, facilitator guides, participant materials, videos, job aids and certification programs.
• Ensure content reflects brand standards and business priorities.

Sales & Service Excellence

• Develop training for sales fundamentals, luxury selling, discovery, clienteling, objection handling, closing, design consultation, Trade & Small Business, service recovery and signature service standards. Partner with Retail Leadership to improve Conversion, AOV, Design Services, Trade & Small Business, Customer Satisfaction and Sales Productivity.

Brand & Product Education

• Develop curriculum covering MillerKnoll brands, history, design heritage, product storytelling, launches and competitive selling.

New Store Opening Training

• Lead onboarding, certifications, launch readiness and onsite training before and after openings.

Field Coaching & Store Enablement

• Travel extensively to coach leaders, facilitate workshops, reinforce selling behaviors, service standards and support adoption of new initiatives.

Operational Training Support & Change Enablement

• Partner with Store Operations to support implementation and adoption of operational training, reinforce execution, gather field feedback and support change management.

Leadership Development

• Develop programs for managers and emerging leaders focused on coaching, accountability, communication, business acumen and talent development.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with HR, Store Operations, Product, Marketing, Sales Operations, IT and Finance to support retail priorities.

Continuous Improvement

• Measure learning effectiveness, refine curriculum and promote continuous learning.

Qualifications

Required

• 7–10 years of progressive experience in retail training, learning & development, field leadership or retail operations.
• Demonstrated success designing and facilitating scalable learning programs.
• Strong understanding of retail selling, customer experience, leadership development and adult learning.
• Experience facilitating instructor-led and virtual learning.
• Exceptional presentation, coaching and communication skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to influence without direct authority and build cross-functional partnerships.
• Advanced Microsoft PowerPoint proficiency.
• Strong Microsoft Excel proficiency, including reporting and learning metrics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Office applications.
• Ability to travel extensively.

Preferred

• Premium/luxury or specialty retail experience.
• Multi-unit retail experience.
• LMS and digital learning platform experience.
• Multimedia and blended learning experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Education, Retail Management, Organizational Development or

Success in This Role

Build confident, customer-focused teams; create consistent selling and service standards; accelerate onboarding; support successful new store openings; strengthen leadership capability; drive adoption of initiatives; improve measurable business outcomes; and foster a culture of continuous learning and accountability.

Who We Hire?

Simply put, we hire qualified applicants representing a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. Design Within Reach is comprised of people of all abilities, gender identities and expressions, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, veterans from every branch of military service, and more. Here, you can bring your whole self to work. We’re committed to equal opportunity employment, including veterans and people with disabilities.

Compensation range for this role is $76,000.00 - $100,000.00. Relevant salary considerations will include candidate qualifications and experience, other business/organizational needs and market factors . You may also be eligible to receive a geographic premium, annual discretionary incentive and equity awards which are subject to the rules governing these programs. The company offers a full spectrum of benefits including Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Dependent Day Care Savings Account, Life Insurance, Disability and Other Insurance Plans, Paid Time Off (including Vacation and Parental Leave), Holidays, 401(k), and Short/Long Term Disability, in addition to other special perks reserved for our associates.

This organization participates in E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification. In general, MillerKnoll positions are closed within 45 days and are open for applications for a minimum of 5 days. We encourage our prospective candidates to submit their application(s) expediently so as not to miss out on our opportunities. We frequently post new opportunities and encourage prospective candidates to check back often for new postings.

MillerKnoll complies with applicable disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact MillerKnoll Talent Acquisition at [e-mail].