General Sales Manager

Overview

The General Sales Manager is responsible for building and supporting a high performing sales culture, maintaining a strategic view of store talent needs, recruiting, and developing talent, analyzing relevant data to inform store-specific strategies, and acting as a role model and champion for Ashley’s Core & Growth Values to create a strong brand perception so that the store becomes the destination of choice for home furnishing needs.

The General Sales Manager is a role model for building and maintaining guest relationships that are the foundation of the company’s retail sales success. This position hires, trains, supervises, and develops Assistant Sales Managers and other store employees in the implementation of the company’s sales approach, oversees overall operational functions of the store, and maintains compliance with the company’s policies and operating procedures to ensure the delivery of an exceptional in-store experience for every guest, resulting in increased store sales, profitability, and customer loyalty.

Leadership and Team Management

• Recruit, onboard, train, supervise, develop, and motivate a team of Assistant Sales Managers, sales associates, cashiers, customer service, and support staff.
• Cultivate a positive and collaborative work environment that fosters high performance and low turnover.
• Conduct or oversee performance reviews and provide ongoing coaching and development opportunities.
• Ensure strategic engagement – e.g., lead huddles that align every decision in the store with the company strategy.
• Serve as a role model of Ashley’s Core & Growth Values.
• Design/shape the vision for training content provided to all associates.

• Develop and implement sales and promotions to achieve sales targets and exceed revenue goals.
• Analyze sales data and identify areas for improvement.
• Motivate and coach the store team to deliver exceptional customer service and close sales.
• Develop sales and profit goals.
• Help establish Ashley as the premier destination in the market for home furnishings.
• Have a strong understanding of selling system/standards for selling aligned to company strategy – high performing sales culture.
• Use analytics/insights to take advantage of opportunities and improve selling.
• Sell consistently to every guest and align selling strategy with company standards (e.g., we are not a discount seller).

• Ensure smooth operation of all store functions, including merchandising, inventory management, scheduling, and cash handling.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and visually appealing showroom environment.
• Negotiate contracts and manage relationships with vendors and suppliers.
• Manage and optimize inventory levels to meet customer demand and minimize cost.
• Create enticing visual presentation (e.g., knowing what “good” looks like and partnering with the visual team to optimize) and ensure consistent maintenance of the store.
• Help create general associate standards and support for the guest.
• Participate in training programs for sales and operations activities.
• Provide relevant insights on offers, assortment, and selling process/standards to ensure continued success.
• Pursue opportunities to reduce waste (cost) and enable reinvestment in the business (growth).
• Inventory management (protect profit everywhere to enable continued investment in sales drivers).
• Assortment optimization (e.g., velocity walks/optimizing the floor to win in the local market).
• Maintain an efficient warehouse and product lifecycle plan (manage costs and ensure relevant assortment on the floor).

• Foster a customer-centric culture throughout the store.
• Exceed customer expectations by providing exceptional service and resolving any issues promptly and professionally.
• Empower the store team to resolve customer issues efficiently and with empathy.
• Track and analyze customer feedback to identify areas for improvement.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with customers, building loyalty and repeat business.
• Customer engagement / Full customer lifecycle management.

• Develop and manage store budgets,…