Small Business Consultant - Retail Operations and Growth

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 Governor’s 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 oth…

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