Job Description

About Bar & Cocoa

Bar & Cocoa is the leading U.S. retailer for craft, bean-to-bar chocolate. We’ve spent the last decade growing a nationally recognized e-commerce brand—and now we’re bringing it to life with our first flagship retail location in Greensboro, NC. Think of it less like a candy shop and more like a curated gallery of the world’s best chocolate makers, with a high-touch experience to match.

The Role

We’re looking for a sharp, operations-minded leader to launch and scale our new retail channel. This is not a store manager role in the traditional sense. You’ll be the architect of the in-store experience, the owner of all retail systems and performance, and the person who turns a single boutique into a repeatable growth model.

If you’ve ever built a pop-up, run a showroom, managed a boutique brand, or scaled a small-but-mighty operation—you’ll thrive here.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for ensuring exceptional customer service, managing staff effectively, and driving sales performance. This role requires a strong understanding of retail management principles and the ability to foster a positive work environment.

Once the store is humming, you’ll step into a higher-level operations role, helping drive growth across retail, events, corporate gifting, and wholesale.

Key Responsibilities (Phase 1: Store Launch + Operation)

• Be the hands-on operator for the first 4–8 months—working the floor, selling, building customer relationships, and setting the service standard
• Hire and train your retail support staff (seasonal + part-time)
• Own all retail ops: inventory, scheduling, POS, merchandising, daily open/close
• Work with marketing on store events, tastings, and promotions
• Maintain a high-end store experience that reflects Bar & Cocoa’s brand
• Foster a team-oriented environment by encouraging collaboration and effective communication among staff members.
• Address customer inquiries and resolve issues promptly to maintain high standards of customer service.
• Track and report on KPIs: sales, conversion, repeat traffic, seasonal trends
• Monitor compliance with company policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities (Phase 2: Strategic Ops & Growth)

• Develop SOPs for retail operations, merchandising, and seasonal planning
• Optimize inventory purchasing based on sales velocity and margin targets
• Collaborate with our founder on new product launches and customer insights
• Support fulfillment and warehouse planning for Q4 and peak seasons
• Explore new revenue channels: in-store events, local corporate gifting, influencer/affiliate pilots, etc.
• Provide feedback and leadership on multi-store expansion or pop-up strategy
• Manage vendor relationships for store supplies, shipping materials, etc.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop strategies for improving store performance.

Who You Are

• 7-10+ years in boutique/luxury retail, hospitality, or lifestyle brand ops
• Proven experience in retail management or a similar role is essential.
• Experience running a store or small business, including hiring, scheduling, and customer service
• Hands-on leader who doesn’t mind being on the floor when needed
• Operationally savvy—comfortable with inventory planning, basic P&L understanding, and process building
• Clear communicator with high standards and good instincts
• Bonus: exposure to food, CPG, chocolate, wine, or events

Why This Role Rocks

• You get to build something from scratch, but not alone
• Real decision-making power and the chance to grow with the company
• Work alongside a founder who values taste, quality, and design
• Access to the best chocolate on Earth (not kidding)
• Room to evolve this role into a Director of Retail/Omnichannel Ops as we grow

Perks

• Competitive base + bonus
• Product discounts + potential profit-sharing
• Flexible time off and seasonal schedule adaptability
• Future potential for long-term incentives based on performance

Pay

$51,000.00 - $89,000.00 per year

Join our team as a Retail & Brand Ops Manager where you can make a significant impact on our store's success while leading a passionate team dedicated to providing outstanding service.

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