Director of Retail & Merchandising

Detroit Athletic Club•Detroit, MI

30d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Retail & Merchandising is responsible for overseeing buying, merchandising, staffing strategy, and retail performance for the DAC Pro Shop and all Athletic Retail Outlets. This role provides strategic leadership and operational oversight while empowering the Assistant Manager to execute daily Pro Shop operations.

Requirements

Strong member service and interpersonal communication skills.
Detailed knowledge of retail operations, merchandising, and inventory management.
Proficiency with POS and retail management systems.
Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
Professional appearance and demeanor consistent with DAC standards.
Team-oriented, dependable, and service-driven attitude.
5+ years of retail leadership experience (athletic, specialty, luxury, or private club preferred)
Proven experience in buying, merchandising, and inventory planning
Experience leading teams and managing managers
Strong business and financial acumen
Excellent relationship-building and communication skills
Passion for athletics, performance brands, and premium service

Responsibilities

Retail Strategy & Leadership Set and lead the retail vision and strategy for the DAC Pro Shop and all Athletic Retail Outlets
Establish service standards, merchandising direction, and performance expectations
Ensure consistency in brand presentation, pricing strategy, and member experience
Serve as the primary retail leader and decision-maker for Athletics retail operations
Buying & Merchandising (Primary Owner) Act as lead buyer for all athletic retail merchandise: Apparel, footwear, accessories, specialty items, and DAC-branded goods
Research trends, meet with vendors, and curate assortments aligned with: Athletic programs Clubs-Within-the-Club Tournaments and seasonal initiatives Online store
Manage pricing strategy, margins, inventory turns, and open-to-buy
Oversee exclusive merchandise, special orders, and event-based retail
Collaborate with Leadership/Outlets for uniform purchases
Inventory & Financial Oversight Own inventory strategy across all outlets, ensuring proper levels and flow
Review sales performance, slow movers, and reorder opportunities
Manage budgets, profitability, and retail KPIs
Partner with Finance and Athletics leadership on forecasting and reporting
Staffing Strategy & Leadership Lead staffing structure, hiring standards, and development pathways
Directly manage the Assistant Pro Shop Manager and Hourly Employees
Set expectations for scheduling, coverage models, and service execution
Provide coaching, feedback, and performance evaluation
Cross-Department Collaboration Collaborate with Athletics, Wellness, Events, and Marketing teams
Support tournaments, leagues, clinics, and member events through retail
Partner on staff uniform programs and e-commerce initiatives
Serve as a visible ambassador of the DAC brand and culture