The Orange County / Inland Empire Small Business Development Center Network is a federal program partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration & the California Governors Office of Business & Economic Development. The SBDC is hosted by California State University, Fullerton. The purpose of this grant is to provide no-cost technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Orange County. The CSUF SBDC is seeking a Consultant with extensive experience in the retail industry with focus on operations and growth. Owned and operated their own retail location, preferably multiple locations. The ideal candidate will have successfully owned and operated at least one retail business, preferably multiple locations, and possess a strong understanding of the operational, financial, and strategic challenges facing independent retailers and small retail businesses. The consultant will provide practical, results-driven guidance to help business owners improve operational efficiency, optimize inventory management, strengthen financial performance, enhance customer experience, and develop strategies to increase sales and profitability. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in retail merchandising, pricing strategies, inventory control, financial management, customer acquisition and retention, and business expansion. Experience with e-commerce, omnichannel retailing, point-of-sale (POS) systems, digital marketing, retail technology, and multi-location operations is highly desirable. The successful candidate will be able to assess retail business performance, identify opportunities for modernization and growth, and translate real-world retail experience into actionable strategies that help small businesses remain competitive in an evolving retail environment.
*Please be aware that funding for this position is awarded through a Grant/Contract over a specified period. Employment for this position beyond current Grant/Contract funding is contingent upon continued funding or new Grant/Contract.
Essential Duties
- Provide consulting, training, and information services in the region to pre-venture, start-up, and small size businesses.
- Provide individualized, one-on-one consulting to independent retailers, brick-and-mortar businesses, and retail entrepreneurs at various stages of business development.
- Conduct comprehensive assessments of retail operations, including store performance, inventory management, merchandising, staffing, customer experience, and financial performance, to identify operational inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
- Advise clients on inventory planning, purchasing, stock turnover, product assortment, vendor management, and strategies to minimize excess inventory, stockouts, and shrinkage.
- Assist retailers in optimizing pricing strategies, gross profit margins, product profitability, operating expenses, and overall financial performance.
- Evaluate store layouts, visual merchandising, product placement, and in-store customer experiences to improve sales productivity and conversion rates.
- Guide business owners in establishing effective operational processes, standard operating procedures (SOPs), staffing models, employee productivity measures, and performance management practices.
- Help retailers establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), including average transaction value, sales per square foot, inventory turnover, gross margin, customer conversion rates, and overall profitability.
- Provide guidance on cash flow management, financial forecasting, budgeting, and working capital requirements to improve business sustainability.
- Assist retail businesses in developing actionable strategies to increase sales, improve customer retention, strengthen market positioning, and expand their customer base.
- Evaluate existing retail technology and recommend improvements involving point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management software, customer relationship management (CRM) tools, and other digital solutions.
- Guide retailers in developing or enhancing e-commerce capabilities, online ordering, omnichannel sales strategies, and integration between physical and digital storefronts.
- Advise clients on digital marketing, local search visibility, customer loyalty programs, social media engagement, and promotional strategies that support retail sales growth.
- Assist businesses in analyzing customer purchasing behavior, consumer trends, competitive positioning, and market opportunities.
- Support retailers in evaluating opportunities for product line expansion, additional revenue streams, new locations, and multi-location operations.
- Help entrepreneurs assess retail business concepts, location feasibility, startup costs, operational requirements, and business planning needs.
- Conduct detailed business assessments and develop written recommendations, individualized action plans, and measurable performance improvement objectives.
- Deliver workshops, webinars, and training programs focused on retail operations, inventory management, merchandising, financial performance, retail technology, marketing, and business growth.
- Maintain client database by preparing detailed written assessment and make recommendations for improvements.
- Keep abreast of business trends, techniques, and processes.
- Work collaboratively with peers and the business community to expand expertise.
- Community outreach responsibilities will include public presentations to key stakeholders and service on appropriate boards and committees related to economic development.
- Travel as required to perform cross county-wide job functions.
- Complete all forms and maintain client files as required by the SBA.
- Document information, assistance, and outcomes of sessions with clients related to consulting and training activities performed by the consultant.
- Provide Center with timely reports related to milestones and success stories of clients economic outcomes.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Must be previous or current small business owner.
- Key understanding of small business issues related to retail businesses and retail businesses.
- Owned a retail location, preferably multiple locations.
- Key understanding of small business issues related to the retail industry.
- Extensive knowledge in the ins and outs of day-to-day retail operations, employee management, staff operations, budget analysis, pricing models, inventory control, health department requirements and lease negotiations.
- Proven experience managing multi-unit retail operations.
- Expertise in creating and implementing growth strategies for retail businesses including market analysis, site selection, and operational scaling.
- Skills in developing standard operating procedures to maintain quality and consistency across multiple locations.
- Ability to assess readiness and manage budgets.
- Expertise in hiring, training and retaining staff for scalability.
- Knowledge of menu design to maximize profitability and operational efficiency across locations.
- Proficiency in managing supplier relationships and logistics.
- Proficiency in analyzing sales, labor and operational data to guide strategic decisions.
- Experience in advising small businesses.
- Experience delivering business presentations on a variety of topics in a public setting to diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious work relations with staff, clients, government agency(s), business resources, and the general public.
- Computer skills with working knowledge of various software packages are necessary.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Expertise in site selection, commercial lease analysis and negotiation, occupancy-cost analysis, and location strategy.
- Bilingual Spanish or Vietnamese, preferred.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and proficiency with computers and web-based research
EDUCATION:
- Minimum Bachelor's degree in a business-related field or equivalent experience in business management or financial analysis (minimum four years), or bachelors degree in any field with two years of business management or business ownership.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Lifting of up to 25lbs.; periodic bending; long-term periods of sitting; long term periods operating a computer.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
CSU Fullerton, Auxiliary Services Corporation (ASC) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Human Resources Representative at (657) 278-4117.
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the ASC. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current ASC employees who apply for the position.
