Retail Operations Lead

At Grit & Grace, we believe the world is your oyster—and that meaningful work can be filled with creativity, connection, growth, and joy. We are looking for a reliable, organized, and joyful leader to help guide the front-of-house experience at our 125 King Street shop. This person will play an important role in the daily success of the store by supporting the retail team, managing inventory and merchandising, providing exceptional customer service, and helping create a beautiful, welcoming environment for everyone who walks through our doors. Hospitality is at the heart of this position. Our ideal candidate genuinely enjoys connecting with people, leads with kindness and confidence, and understands how to balance customer care, team leadership, and day-to-day operations. This is a hands-on role for someone who notices what needs to be done, communicates clearly, follows through, and brings positive energy to the workplace. What You’ll Do Lead and Support the Team • Help lead the front-of-house team with kindness, clarity, consistency, and accountability. • Create a joyful and collaborative work environment where team members feel supported and empowered. • Ensure the team has strong product knowledge and the tools needed to provide an exceptional customer experience. • Assist with scheduling and help ensure the store is properly staffed. • Support the hiring, onboarding, and training of new team members. • Provide ongoing coaching and help cultivate a dependable, connected, and high-performing team. • Communicate important updates, priorities, and expectations clearly. • Lead by example through reliability, professionalism, initiative, and a willingness to help wherever needed. Create an Exceptional Customer Experience • Welcome every guest with warmth and genuine Southern hospitality. • Help customers discover the stories, meaning, and craftsmanship behind Grit & Grace products. • Create memorable moments through thoughtful conversation, styling, gift recommendations, and personalized service. • Serve as a leader in resolving customer concerns with patience, care, and efficiency. • Answer customer emails and follow up promptly on questions or concerns. • Process returns and issue refunds according to company policies. • Confidently step in when a customer-service challenge requires additional leadership or decision-making. • Ring up purchases accurately and help maintain a smooth checkout experience. Manage Inventory and Merchandising • Receive incoming orders and verify that products and quantities are accurate. • Enter new inventory and purchase orders into the appropriate systems. • Organize back stock and ensure products are easy for the team to locate. • Monitor inventory levels and reorder collections and supplies as needed. • Restock the sales floor throughout the day. • Merchandise products in a thoughtful, creative, and visually compelling way. • Assist with seasonal displays, window displays, product launches, and store refreshes. • Communicate inventory needs, discrepancies, and best-selling products to company leadership. • Help ensure that pricing, signage, and product information are accurate. Oversee Daily Store Operations • Help open and close the store and ensure daily procedures are completed correctly. • Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and inspiring workspace. • Help assign and follow up on daily tasks so important details do not get overlooked. • Monitor store supplies and reorder them before they run out. • Respond quickly to building or maintenance concerns and communicate with the appropriate person to support a timely resolution. • Help troubleshoot unexpected issues calmly and efficiently. • Protect the overall presentation, organization, and flow of the retail space. • Support farmers markets, special events, company initiatives, and other retail needs when necessary. Learn and Perform Permanent Jewelry Services This position requires learning how to assemble and apply permanent jewelry. The service requires confidence, patience, attention to detail, and a steady hand. Full training will be provided, and team members receive a $5 commission for each permanent jewelry piece completed. Who We’re Looking For You may be a wonderful fit if you are: • Dependable, punctual, and committed to following through. • A confident and compassionate leader who enjoys helping others succeed. • Warm, approachable, and genuinely energized by meeting new people. • Highly organized with excellent attention to detail. • Able to balance leadership, customer service, and operational responsibilities. • Proactive and capable of recognizing what needs attention without always being asked. • Calm and solutions oriented when challenges arise. • A clear, honest, and respectful communicator. • Self-motivated while also working beautifully as part of a team. • Creative, optimistic, and willing to bring joy to the day. • Comfortable giving direction, setting expectations, and holding others accountable with kindness. • Interested in creative, hands-on work such as jewelry making, gift wrapping, calligraphy, painting, styling, or merchandising. • Comfortable learning new systems, products, and processes. • Experienced in retail, hospitality, management, or team leadership. Leadership experience is strongly preferred. Opportunities for Creativity and Growth At Grit & Grace, we want our team members to grow both personally and professionally. In this position, you may have opportunities to explore: • Permanent jewelry • Visual and window merchandising • Product styling • Blessing bead and ornament assembly • Calligraphy and painting • Farmers markets and special events • Oyster-shell recycling and community initiatives • Product development and education • Cross-training in other areas of the company We believe everyone brings unique gifts to the workplace. If there is an area of the business you are excited to explore, we will look for opportunities to support your continued learning and growth. Schedule and Work Location • Full-time leadership position • Day and evening shifts • Weekend availability is required • Must be available during key holidays and high-volume retail periods • In-person at Grit & Grace Studio, 125 King Street, Charleston, South Carolina Salary and Benefits • $45K • 2 weeks PTO • Monthly Medical Stipend of $225 a month What You Can Expect From Grit & Grace You can expect to be part of a vibrant, creative, and conscious community that values joy, kindness, collaboration, honest communication, personal responsibility, and meaningful connection. Your ideas will be heard, your contributions will matter, and you will have opportunities to make a positive impact on our guests, our team, and the Charleston community. We are calling in someone who wants to lead with both strength and heart, someone who finds joy in creating order, supporting others, solving problems, and making people feel genuinely welcomed. To apply, please contact: Jacquie O’Malley Culture & Leadership Mentor hr@gritandgracestudio.com Benefits: • 401(k) • Employee discount • Paid time off Shift: • Day shift • Evening shift Work Location: In person