Midwest/Southwest - Area Manager

Jenni Kayne · Houston · $110,000–$130,000 (stated in the posting)

Jenni Kayne is a California-based lifestyle brand that aims to empower an elevated approach to everyday living. Whether it's our edited style ethos or coveted interiors sensibility, we work hard to create a world that's inviting and intentional. From our stores across the country to our operations and corporate teams, we believe in the power of a workplace built on diversity and inclusion—where the varied voices and viewpoints of our community pave the way.

About this Role:

As the Midwest/Southwest – Area Manager, reporting to the Director of Stores, you will serve as the key field leader overseeing Jenni Kayne retail locations throughout the Midwest and Southwest regions. You will be responsible for driving sales performance, developing high-performing store teams, ensuring operational excellence, and delivering an elevated client experience that reflects the Jenni Kayne brand.

This is a 100% field-based leadership role, requiring a consistent and highly visible presence across stores throughout the assigned multi-state territory. Your time will be spent traveling between locations, working directly alongside Store Managers and their teams, coaching on the sales floor, evaluating business performance, and identifying opportunities to strengthen execution and drive revenue growth. Regular regional travel, including overnight travel, will be required based on business priorities and market needs.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on, results-driven retail leader who thrives in a multi-store environment, demonstrates strong business acumen, and is passionate about developing talent, building meaningful client relationships, and creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Candidates based in Houston, Texas, are preferred given the regional scope and travel requirements of the position.

Role and Responsibilities

Market Leadership & Business Performance

Serve as the primary field leader and culture ambassador for Jenni Kayne retail stores throughout the Midwest/Southwest region.
Maintain a consistent and highly visible presence across assigned locations, spending 100% of working time in the field and traveling between stores based on business priorities and market needs.
Own and drive overall regional performance, ensuring stores achieve monthly and annual sales goals, key performance indicators, and operational objectives.
Partner closely with Store Managers to analyze sales trends, business reporting, and performance metrics to identify opportunities and implement actionable strategies that drive revenue growth.
Establish clear expectations and hold Store Managers accountable for sales performance, operational execution, team development, and the overall client experience.
Conduct regular store visits, business reviews, and one-on-one meetings with Store Managers to assess performance, provide coaching, and establish measurable action plans.
Lead with an entrepreneurial mindset, identifying opportunities to strengthen market performance, improve productivity, and support sustainable business growth.
Communicate regularly with senior Retail leadership regarding market performance, business opportunities, operational challenges, talent development, and field insights.

Talent Development & People Leadership

Coach, mentor, and develop Store Managers and their teams to build a high-performing, engaged, and results-oriented retail organization.
Establish strong succession plans and cultivate a pipeline of future leaders to support internal growth and long-term business needs.
Provide consistent coaching, performance feedback, recognition, and development opportunities to strengthen individual and team performance.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and professional development across all assigned stores.
Partner with Human Resources on employee relations, performance management, coaching documentation, corrective action, and talent development initiatives.
Take an active role in recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and developing Store Managers and other key retail talent.
Build and maintain a strong external talent pipeline through networking, recruitment efforts, and ongoing market engagement.
Ensure Store Managers effectively communicate expectations, provide timely feedback, and maintain a positive, inclusive, and performance-driven work environment.

Sales Floor Leadership & Client Experience

Lead by example through active engagement on the sales floor, working alongside Store Managers and associates to reinforce exceptional selling behaviors and service standards.
Coach teams on client engagement, conversion, product knowledge, clienteling, relationship building, and sales productivity.
Champion an elevated and personalized client experience that reflects the Jenni Kayne brand and supports long-term client loyalty.
Identify opportunities to strengthen client retention, repeat business, and high-value client relationships across the region.
Partner with Store Managers to develop strategies that improve selling effectiveness, client outreach, and overall store performance.
Ensure store teams consistently deliver an inviting, intentional, and elevated shopping experience.

Operational Excellence & Brand Standards

Ensure consistent execution of company policies, operational procedures, and brand standards across all assigned stores.
Conduct routine store audits and provide coaching to elevate operational execution, inventory management, visual presentation, and the overall client experience.
Partner with Visual Merchandising to maintain brand standards, product storytelling, and visual consistency throughout the region.
Oversee the successful execution of company initiatives, product launches, promotional activities, training programs, and operational updates.
Identify operational inefficiencies and partner with Store Managers and cross-functional teams to implement improvements.
Ensure stores are appropriately staffed, organized, and operationally prepared to support business demands and client expectations.
Support new store openings, relocations, and pop-up activations, including hiring, training, merchandising, operational readiness, and successful launches.

Market Development & Community Engagement

Develop a strong understanding of the unique characteristics, client demographics, and business opportunities within the Midwest and Southwest markets.
Partner with Store Managers to identify and execute local marketing initiatives, community partnerships, client events, and networking opportunities that drive traffic and brand awareness.
Build relationships with local businesses, community partners, and high-value clients to strengthen Jenni Kayne's presence throughout the region.
Identify market-specific opportunities to attract new clients, strengthen existing relationships, and drive incremental revenue.
Encourage Store Managers to take an active role in community engagement and local business development.

Qualifications and Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of multi-unit retail leadership experience, preferably within premium, luxury, or lifestyle retail.
Proven track record of driving sales performance, achieving business objectives, and successfully leading multiple retail locations.
Demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and retain high-performing Store Managers and retail teams.
Experience building talent pipelines through recruiting, networking, succession planning, and internal leadership development.
Strong leadership presence with exceptional communication, coaching, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.
Experience partnering with Human Resources on employee relations, performance management, coaching, and talent development.
Strong business acumen with the ability to analyze sales reporting, interpret key performance indicators, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable business strategies.
Strong understanding of local market development, including community partnerships, client events, and grassroots marketing initiatives.
Ability to balance strategic regional leadership with hands-on execution and coaching at the store level.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and retail reporting systems.
Must be based in or willing to relocate within the assigned Midwest/Southwest region, with Houston, TX, strongly preferred.
Ability and willingness to work 100% in the field, traveling regularly and independently between Jenni Kayne retail locations throughout the Midwest and Southwest regions.
Ability and willingness to travel extensively throughout the assigned multi-state territory, including regular overnight travel, as business needs require.
Ability to adjust store visits, travel schedules, and field priorities based on business performance, staffing needs, events, launches, and other market requirements.
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business needs require.
Ability to lift and move up to 30 pounds and stand for extended periods as needed, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Passion for the Jenni Kayne brand, lifestyle, and commitment to delivering an elevated client experience.

Additional Notes:
This job description is not all inclusive. In addition, Kayne LLC dba Jenni Kayne reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. Kayne LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.

The annual base salary for this position is $110,000–$130,000. The base salary is determined by experience, education, skills, and location.

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