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Los Angeles, California, United States
Onsite
Greater Los Angeles Area, CA | Teamshares - President Network | Full-time | On-site
Teamshares is one of America's largest buyers of small businesses from retiring owners and is on a mission to make employee ownership the future of small business. We buy promising companies from retiring owners, gifting employees an immediate 10% ownership stake in the business, and supporting their ongoing growth through proprietary software, education, financial products and best-in-class leadership support.
We're building a network of 10,000 employee-owned small businesses, creating $10 billion of stock wealth for wage workers and supporting generations of business owners into confident retirement. Together, we will reduce global wealth inequality while ensuring vital small businesses, and the communities they serve, continue to flourish.
Learn more at teamshares.com
We are looking for a President to lead the next chapter of a longstanding, highly respected specialty retailer in the Greater Los Angeles area. For decades, this business has been a trusted destination for customers seeking authentic, high-quality health and wellness products and specialty foods, known for product expertise, consistent quality, and personal service. The business serves customers through its retail operations, an ecommerce channel that ships nationwide, and wholesale relationships with business customers. It is a growing company with strong operations, loyal customers, an experienced team, and deep roots in the community it serves.
The ideal fit is a hands-on leader who has experience in specialty retail, consumer products, or food and wellness distribution, whether from running a multi-channel retail business, leading an ecommerce operation, or managing wholesale and distribution accounts. You will partner with an experienced team, and you will take ownership of the vendor relationships, merchandising, and pricing decisions that keep the assortment compelling across every channel. You should be comfortable reading and managing a P&L, with support from an experienced controller. Fluency in Mandarin and English is required for this role; Cantonese is a strong plus.
The first year is about stability and continuity: earning the trust of the team, customers, and vendors as the business transitions to employee ownership, while building the foundation for growth. The exiting owner will remain involved for a transition period to support a smooth handoff. This is also a customer- and community-facing role, and we are looking for someone who wants to be a visible, engaged presence with customers, partners, and the broader community.
This is a full-time, onsite role, five days a week.
Serve as President of a longstanding, community-rooted specialty retailer. You will own full P&L responsibility, business strategy, and operations, and will report to a Teamshares Industry Lead who supports a portfolio of companies within the sector.
• Determine and be responsible for all business strategy, operations, and P&L management
• Lead an experienced team of existing employee owners
• Lead and Develop the Team: Lead a team across retail, fulfillment, and wholesale functions. Support and retain top performers, coach and develop the team, and protect the knowledgeable, high-touch service that sets the business apart.
• Own Merchandising and Vendor Relationships: Take ownership of purchasing, pricing, inventory, and supplier partnerships, including domestic and international suppliers. Keep the assortment authentic, differentiated, and profitable across retail, ecommerce, and wholesale.
• Drive Revenue Growth: Lead efforts to grow the business through marketing, customer loyalty, ecommerce growth, and the development of new wholesale accounts, while preserving the in-store experience customers value.
• Execute Operational Business Objectives: Develop and execute repeatable business processes to achieve key business results. Whether it's documenting existing effective methods or developing new structures, you will be responsible for establishing and tracking key operational metrics and financial outcomes across retail, ecommerce fulfillment, warehouse, and wholesale.
• Collaborate on Financial Decisions: Work closely with Teamshares staff and company-level financial partners to manage ongoing expenses, capital purchases, and growth initiatives.
• Stabilize Through Ownership Transition: Serve as a steady operational leader during the transition to the Teamshares model, maintaining continuity for customers, employees, and vendors while building the foundation for long-term growth under new ownership.
• Lead Growth Initiatives: Act as a growth leader, working with employee owners to improve company operations and expand revenue opportunities.
• Manage HR and Personnel Matters: Handle HR responsibilities, including staff disputes, employee performance evaluations, job reviews, raises, and bonuses.
• Build Relationships: Invest in your local community through civic organizations, local events, and philanthropy, and build strong relationships with customers, vendors, and mission-aligned organizations.
• Transition to Employee Ownership: Collaborate with Teamshares and fellow shareholders during the transition to employee ownership, coaching and partnering to instill an owner's mindset that drives better business outcomes and fosters a positive, values-aligned company culture.
• Language: Fluency in Mandarin and English is required. Cantonese is a strong plus.
• Multi-Channel Retail Leadership: A proven track record leading a retail business across in-store, ecommerce, and/or wholesale channels, including coaching, motivating, and retaining a team.
• Ecommerce and Wholesale Experience: Meaningful experience growing an online sales channel, including site merchandising, digital marketing, and order fulfillment, and managing wholesale or B2B accounts. Experience in specialty food, health and wellness, or consumer products is a strong plus.
• Merchandising and Vendor Management: Experience with purchasing, pricing, inventory management, and vendor negotiation. Familiarity with importing and international sourcing is a strong plus.
• P&L Fluency: A solid working understanding of a P&L, gross margin, discounting, and inventory, and the ability to partner effectively with a controller.
• Steady, People-First Leadership: The judgment and temperament to lead a tenured team through change with care, building trust before making changes.
• Community Presence: A genuine desire to be a visible, engaged leader in the local community.
• Clear Communication and Collaboration: Ability to communicate effectively, solve problems, and foster constructive collaboration with all employees.
• Proven Leadership: Demonstrated people leadership abilities with strong interpersonal and communication skills and a low-ego, collaborative approach.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: An entrepreneurial spirit with a desire to build, innovate, and operate hands-on in a transformative environment.
• Project Management and Problem-Solving: Proven project management skills coupled with a humble, hands-on, get-it-done attitude.
• Business Acumen: Strong analytical skills to oversee company financials and develop effective strategies for sustainable growth.
• Growth Mindset: Willingness to explore new ideas, learn from mistakes, and innovate continuously.
• Strategic Partnership: Ability to partner with stakeholders to establish a clear vision, define measurable KPIs, and develop strategies to achieve financial goals.
• Agility and Flexibility: Equally adept at thinking creatively and critically, with a natural bias toward action
• Equity stake both in the network company and in Teamshares
• Competitive salary and benefits
• Ongoing business and leadership development training throughout your tenure
• Access to exceptional medical/dental/vision benefit plans
• Paid parental leave
We know the confidence gap and imposter syndrome can get in the way of meeting spectacular candidates. As a Teamshares president, you're not alone; you'll be part of a dynamic community of fellow small business leaders, with ongoing support from Teamshares, beginning with our Leadership Accelerator program. Please don't hesitate to apply.
Teamshares is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that values diverse perspectives and fosters a genuine sense of belonging. We actively seek to build a workforce representative of various cultures, backgrounds, and areas of expertise. Our employee-driven Core Values guide how we treat each other and show up every day. We welcome and encourage applicants from candidates of all backgrounds, including any race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or other characteristics.
