Founded in 1999, Potomac Paddlesports is an award winning BCU / ACA accredited paddlesports school and guide operation serving the Washington DC market. We have developed a large community through a relentless focus on quality and conservation, and we have driven the growth of the sport in DC through innovative beginner paddlesports programs and instructor development.
General Manager / Partner
Potomac Paddlesports is an award-winning, vertically integrated kayak / rafting / stand up paddleboard instruction, guiding, e-commerce, and traditional retail business that has built its unparalleled brand strength through a 20-year commitment to high quality customer service, fostering community, and promoting conservation. We're making a difference every day with a focus on outdoor education and safety. Our workplace reflects our values, and we offer competitive compensation, and entrepreneurial experience. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose Potomac Paddlesports and make a difference with us!
Overview:
We’re seeking an experienced, dynamic General Manager that loves to sell, teach, and constantly improve themselves and their environment. With a small core staff, the General Manager's personal sales and operational performance is central to achieving the company's sales and profit objectives, as well as setting the pace and standard for the entire team. In effect, the General Manager runs a beginner-centric paddlesports learning institution based inside a retail store and a popular national park, leveraging an integrated custom software platform in the process.
Key Attributes:
Paddling and/or outdoor experience
Managerial and retail experience
Project management experience
Teaching experience
Technology savvy
Entrepreneurial nature – seeking an equity partner toward partial and/or full ownership
Key Functions:
Manage 3 Focus Areas: Instruction and Trips, E-commerce platform, and Traditional Retail
Manage a small team of store employees and seasonal instructors and guides
Recruit and develop new personnel
Evaluate and communicate expectations, conduct staff performance evaluations
Improve sales and operating performance
Prevent and eliminate waste, redundancy, and clutter
Program / Retail Sales & Management:
Sell paddlesports lesson and trip memberships, as well as individual lessons and trips
Sell group and corporate outing events
Sell retail store memberships
Sell kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, and other paddling apparel, active wear, performance apparel, and footwear
Prepare store schedule to ensure appropriate planning and coverage of staff
Manage program schedule of students, guests, guides, and instructors
Maintain store inventory and high level of visual merchandizing standards
Operations:
Develop and implement a comprehensive company operations calendar
Utilize seasonal down-time: November - January to review past operating performance and enhance company operations for the coming season by reviewing historical information to develop a sound buying, staffing, and program scheduling plan
Responsible for opening and closing the store
Maintain a clean and well-organized store presence
Maintain store security system to include: building security and cash handling
Buying & Inventory Management:
Broker better terms for inventory purchasing
Maintain an efficient ordering system to ensure all necessary supplies are available
Ensure fast turn around and high margins on store inventory
Ensure all inventory is accurately represented online
Ensure store visual merchandising standards
Responsible for processing damaged and defective goods in a timely accurate manner
Protect company assets through promoting awareness of loss prevention
Communication & Marketing:
Provide weekly update on operational performance
Schedule monthly and quarterly retail staff and instructor/guide meetings
Maintain feedback loop with customers and staff
Ensure the company’s policies and procedures are communicated and applied
Develop compelling bi-weekly newsletters
Leverage Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms to impart knowledge and announce opportunities to our community
Utilize store for paddlesport community development by offering events such as movie premiers, environmental talks, and lectures with a focus on driving company sales
Minimum Qualifications:
Paddlesports and outdoor experience
Retail and ecommerce experience
General management experience
Teaching experience
Experience with the following: Excel, Word, and Photoshop
Required Qualifications:
Vehicle to tow a trailer
Self-motivated and problem solving abilities
Effective communication skills – able to give clear directions and set expectations
Ability to train and delegate effectively and motivate a diverse team
Excellent organizational skills
Accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to stand/walk for extended periods of time - necessary for sales floor coverage and loss prevention
Ability to use a computer screen for extended periods of time - necessary to manage business operations
Ability to reach overhead, bend, squat, kneel, and carry product, necessary for customer service, inventory re-stock, and store merchandising, loading kayaks and paddleboards onto vehicles or trailers
Ability to walk up and down staircase and/or ladders carrying boxes, product, and other necessary items related to operations
Ability to perform store maintenance items: sweep, vacuum, empty trash, and clean
Ability to safely lift items up to 75 lbs
Preferred Qualifications:
Absentee owner seeking an equity partner toward partial and/or full ownership
ACA Certification
Current CDL and clean driving record