Fabric and Haberdashery - Manager

Ray Stitch is a small independent business based in Islington. Since we established in 2009 we have developed as a highly individual brand selling quality fabrics, haberdashery and sewing accessories.

As retailers we offer a friendly, personalised service to the many visitors to our busy high street shop, as well as to our mail order customers online. Our well-stocked shop is a hub for fabric lovers of all kinds - dressmakers, crafters, stylists, designers, young and old.

Many of our fabrics are brand exclusive and we are increasingly sourcing and developing our own lines, our wholesale offer has proven popular with start-up fashion brands and small independent makers and our aim is to nurture this growing market.

Our Islington shop incorporates a sewing school with classes running regularly throughout the week. As the sewing bug rapidly spreads we teach beginners and advanced sewers alike with a wide range of classes to appeal to everyone.

We are seeking a highly organised and proactive individual, with a good working knowledge of fabric and textiles who can oversee and manage this thriving business, who understands the challenges faced by independent brands in uncertain times and feels passionate about strengthening and driving the business forward.

Previous experience of running or managing a small creative business is essential. You will ideally possess a good blend of creative, commercial, customer service and team management skills.

Creative:

Applicants must have a good knowledge of fabric and textiles with some creative/design training or work experience. Also, essentially, a good eye for styling and visual promotion. In line with the brand aesthetic you will be required to:

- Select new stock lines.

- Combine fabrics with garment patterns for promotional samples.

- Plan and style photo-shoots.

- Arrange mannequin and general shop displays.

- Create content for social media posts and visual promotions.

- Send out regular newsletters.

- Plan and oversee the design of printed promotional material.

Commercial:

Applicants must possess a commercial awareness and a reasonably good knowledge of similar businesses operating within the sector. Excellent organisational and IT skills will be required with a high degree of accuracy and strong numerical and analytical skills. In this area you will be required to:

- Identify new ideas and opportunities to maintain a competitive edge within the market.

- Maintain and build good relationships with suppliers.

- Keep ahead of stock levels and identify good and bad sellers.

- Create and maintain stock databases and cost sheets.

- Work with existing software and quickly understand new software.

- Be alert to systems which need updating to increase efficiency.

- Demonstrate excellent customer service skills and a willingness to go the extra mile.

- Be responsible for overseeing and maintaining the premises in good order.

Team Management:

We are a small team and proud of our open minded and welcoming workplace. As manager you will have a hardworking and positive approach to work, you will also be a ‘people person’ who finds it easy to get on with everyone, is flexible and accommodating but also possesses strong leadership skills and an ability to motivate people in a busy environment. Your role will be to:

- Build and maintain strong individual working relationships with your colleagues.

- Lead by example, being at all times conscientious and reliable and prepared to get stuck in with day to day tasks.

- Motivate and inspire staff to run an efficient shop and ensure that customer service is kept to a very high standard.

- Be responsible for the ongoing development of colleagues, through training, mentoring and providing feedback.

- Plan staff rotas.

- Schedule shop routines and ensure they are completed to maintain a safe, clean and tidy working environment.

Details:

*This is a full-time permanent postition preceeded by a 3 month trial period.

*Hours are 5 full days per week to include one weekend day.

*Based 5 days on site in our Islington shop.