GENERAL DETAILS

LOCATION: Santa Cruz La Laguna, Sololá.
CONTRACT PERIOD:

• Trial Period: Start immediately until December 31, 2018.
• Continuation: January 1, 2019 until December 31, 2019 (renewable).

Applications are open until the position is filled. Candidates will be reviewed as soon as their application is received and successful applicants will be interviewed.

JOB OVERVIEW

Manos Cruceñas Artisan Store (www.amigosdesantacruz.org/artisan-store/) is a social enterprise supported by Amigos de Santa Cruz that contributes to the Santa Cruz community by creating economic opportunities, particularly for women. Our artisans are paid living wages for flexible work, and receive non-economic support such as workshops on nutrition, domestic violence, and women’s empowerment. Our goal is to advance opportunities for women, reduce poverty, increase access to education and create a more inclusive economy in Santa Cruz.

The Store and Wholesale Manager oversees the production and sale of woven, beaded, embroidered, sewn and crocheted products made by more than 100 women artisans from the Santa Cruz communities. Products are sold in our retail store in the CECAP Building in Santa Cruz village; to wholesale clients in Guatemala, North America and Europe; and through our U.S. online store (www.store.amigosdesantacruz.org).

JOB OBJECTIVES

The ideal candidate will be dedicated to our mission and have a passion for helping others to help themselves. They will expand our wholesale markets and assure high quality products. The position offers opportunity for professional growth, travel and great personal satisfaction.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Sales and Client Relations:

• Communicate with clients in fluent written and verbal English about wholesale orders, samples, designs, production deadlines and prices.
• Oversee all aspects of wholesale order production and shipping.
• Identify and build new relationships with domestic and international wholesale clients.
• Research and develop new product designs, particularly those of interest to North American clients.
• Manage web, print and social media promotion.
• Manage U.S. online store and distribution.
• Oversee retail sales space to ensure quality product display and friendly sales customer service from the entire store team.

Production and Design:

• Make samples of new designs and train artisans on their production.
• Calculate new product cost, raw material usage and sale price.
• Ensure high quality and consistency on all our products and orders.

Management:

• Manage and train a team of 4-6 regular employees and 100+ artisans.
• Use Excel to: project sales and inventory use, calculate raw material use, arrange raw material purchases, analyze Store profit and loss.
• Write quarterly reports and produce regular financial analyses.
• Believe in and represent the mission, vision and work ethic of Amigos de Santa Cruz and Manos Cruceñas Artisan Store.

SKILLS REQUIRED

• Fluent English and Spanish (required). Kaq’chikel o Tzutuijil (desirable but not essential).
• Familiarity with North American markets, products and fashion trends.
• Demonstrated sales experience, particularly with wholesale clients.
• Strong calculation and Excel skills. Comfort with numbers and able to calculate costs, material quantities and sales prices for new products.
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Independent, self-starting work ethic. The ideal candidate uses initiative to seek out new clients, is organized, detail-oriented and can stick to deadlines.
• Patience and empathy to work on complex tasks with artisans.
• Skills in either: beading, weaving, embroidery, crochet, sewing (strongly desired but not essential).

SALARY & BENEFITS

The position includes prestaciones, paid vacations, sick days, personal days, paid travel expenses and a dedicated professional development budget allowance. Salary depends on the skills and experience of the applicant.

REQUIREMENTS & APPLICATION PROCESS

High school/secundaria graduate (required) and university studies in business, marketing or related field (desirable but not essential). At least two years’ work experience in positions related to the skills and responsibilities mentioned above.

Send a cover letter and resume address to Alex Macfarlan, Program Director at [email protected] with the subject line “Store and Wholesale Manager Application.” The cover letter should 1) be specific to this position and 2) highlight work and education experiences that qualify you for this position. Your resume should emphasize description of professional roles in which you have demonstrated skills related to this position.

Applications are open until the position is filled. Candidates will be reviewed as soon as their application is received and successful applicants will be interviewed.