DIRECTOR OF SALES & OPERATIONS
Stu's Home Improvement Outlet | Dubuque, Iowa | Full-Time
Compensation: Competitive Base Salary + Uncapped Bonus & Commission
————————————————————————
THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL RETAIL JOB
————————————————————————
Stu's Home Improvement Outlet is Dubuque's go-to destination for incredible deals on scratch-and-dent appliances, open-box products, last year's models, and one of the largest furniture and sectional selections in the region. We also carry a full line of home improvement products — everything you'd find at Lowe's, Home Depot, or Menards — at a fraction of retail price.
We're growing fast and we're looking for a rare, results-driven leader to join our team. This is not a sit-behind-a-desk role. We need someone who can walk in on Day 1 and immediately start moving the needle on sales — and who has the vision and leadership to eventually oversee our expansion into multiple locations across the region.
If you've ever walked onto a sales floor, seen exactly what was broken, and knew how to fix it — we want to talk to you.
————————————————————————
WHAT YOU'LL OWN — STARTING DAY 1
————————————————————————
- Audit and completely revamp our current sales process — identify what's working, eliminate what isn't
- Train, motivate, and hold our sales team accountable to daily, weekly, and monthly targets
- Lead from the front as a player-coach — you'll be on the floor closing deals alongside your team
- Design and launch promotions, pricing strategies, and sales events that drive traffic and move inventory
- Open new B2B revenue channels — contractors, landlords, property managers, real estate investors, and home flippers are all ideal customers for what we sell
- Build a customer experience that earns repeat business, referrals, and five-star reviews
- Track key sales metrics and report directly to ownership with honesty and a clear action plan
- Be a visible, energetic presence that sets the tone for the entire store
————————————————————————
YOUR GROWTH PATH AT STU'S
————————————————————————
This role is built in three phases:
Phase 1 — NOW: Come in, assess the situation, and drive immediate sales growth at our Dubuque location. Results matter here and we reward them generously.
Phase 2 — 6 to 18 Months: As sales stabilize and grow, begin building the systems, playbooks, and team infrastructure needed to replicate our model.
Phase 3 — 18 Months and Beyond: Transition into Director of Operations, overseeing General Managers, sales teams, inventory, and company culture as we open additional locations.
This is a ground-floor opportunity with a business owner who is ready to invest in the right person and move quickly.
————————————————————————
WHO YOU ARE
————————————————————————
- A proven sales leader with specific numbers and turnaround stories to back it up
- A motivator — people on your team perform better because of you, not in spite of you
- Someone who owns problems instead of making excuses
- Comfortable working the floor, managing the back office, AND presenting strategy to ownership
- Experienced in retail, discount, liquidation, appliances, furniture, or home improvement
- Energized by value selling — you know how to help a customer see a deal and say yes
- Entrepreneurial — you treat every business you work for like it's your own
- Organized enough to build systems while still being hands-on every single day
- Motivated by uncapped earning potential and a clear path to a bigger title and bigger impact
————————————————————————
YOUR BACKGROUND
————————————————————————
- 5+ years in a sales leadership role in retail, wholesale, or direct-to-consumer sales
- Documented history of meeting or exceeding sales goals
- Experience turning around an underperforming sales team or location
- Has built or improved a sales training program, commission structure, or sales playbook
- Multi-location or multi-department management experience is a strong plus
- Familiarity with scratch-and-dent, liquidation, or value retail is a major advantage
- Strong communicator — with customers, staff, and ownership alike
————————————————————————
WHAT STU'S OFFERS YOU
————————————————————————
- Highly competitive base salary — we pay for talent and we mean it
- Aggressive performance bonuses tied directly to sales growth
- Uncapped commission — the more this store grows, the more you earn
- A direct line to ownership — no corporate red tape, no bureaucracy
- A clear, committed path to Director of Operations as we expand
- Generous employee discount on all store merchandise
- The opportunity to build something real in your own community
————————————————————————
HOW TO APPLY
————————————————————————
Don't send us a generic resume and cover letter. We read every application, and what gets our attention is substance.
When you apply, please answer these three questions:
1. What is the biggest sales turnaround you have ever led? Give us the situation, what you did, and the specific results.
2. What excites you about working in discount or value retail?
3. Where do you want to be professionally in three years?
Applications that do not answer these questions will not be considered. We are serious about finding the right person and we move fast. If you're the right fit, you'll know it quickly.
Apply today and let's build something great together right here in Dubuque.
Stu's Home Improvement Outlet
Dubuque, Iowa
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Experience:
- General Mgr-Furniture: 3 years (Required)
Pay: $75,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Ability to Relocate:
- Dubuque, IA 52003: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person