The Talent Acquisition Specialist - Retail will be responsible for end-to-end recruitment for our expanding store network. This role requires someone who understands retail talent, can hire at scale, and thrives in a fast-paced startup environment.
Key Responsibilities
Retail Hiring & Strategy
- Manage full-cycle recruitment for retail positions including Store Managers, Assistant Store Managers, Fashion Stylists, Sales Associates, and Store Operations staff
- Develop and execute hiring strategies to support aggressive store expansion plans
- Build talent pipelines for current and future store openings across regions
- Partner with Regional Managers and Store Heads to understand hiring needs and team dynamics
- Ensure all positions are filled within agreed TAT (Turnaround Time) with quality hires
Sourcing & Outreach
- Source candidates through job portals (Naukri, Indeed, LinkedIn), social media, referrals, and retail talent networks
- Build relationships with local colleges, institutes, and retail communities for entry-level hiring
- Conduct campus hiring drives and walk-in interviews as needed
- Create compelling job descriptions that attract top retail talent
- Maintain active talent pools for quick hiring during expansion phases
Screening & Selection
- Conduct initial screening calls to assess candidate fitment for retail roles
- Coordinate and schedule interviews with hiring managers across multiple locations
- Evaluate candidates for customer service orientation, sales aptitude, grooming standards, and cultural fit
- Conduct reference checks and background verifications
- Manage offer rollout, negotiation, and acceptance
Onboarding & Coordination
- Ensure smooth pre-joining communication and documentation with candidates
- Coordinate with HR Operations for onboarding formalities
- Track joining dates and ensure zero drop-offs between offer and joining
- Conduct joining day inductions where required
- Gather feedback from new joiners and hiring managers post-placement
Metrics & Reporting
- Track and report on key recruitment metrics: time-to-hire, cost-per-hire, offer acceptance rate, joining ratio
- Maintain accurate records in ATS (Applicant Tracking System) or recruitment trackers
- Provide weekly/monthly hiring reports to HR Head and leadership
- Analyze drop-off points in recruitment funnel and suggest improvements
- Monitor competitor hiring trends and salary benchmarks in retail
Stakeholder Management
- Build strong relationships with Regional Managers, Store Managers, and HR Business Partners
- Provide consultative support to hiring managers on market trends and talent availability
- Manage expectations on hiring timelines and candidate availability
- Partner with training teams to understand competency requirements for different roles
Required Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field
- 2-5 years of experience in talent acquisition, preferably in retail, fashion, lifestyle, or consumer brands
- Proven track record of hiring for customer-facing and sales roles
- Experience with volume hiring and meeting aggressive hiring targets
