The Opportunity: We Are Conducting an Executive Search for a General Manager to Head The

The opportunity: We are conducting an executive search for a General Manager to head the USA office in Los Angeles for an innovative, global e-commerce site. Company delivers high quality products at an affordable price through a re-defined retail model. Our client’s principles lie in the belief that intermediaries and brand names add little value to products already produced at a high standard and therefore should not artificially inflate prices. Following great success in France they are expanding operations globally. Candidates must have held a management position within the last twelve months at an established e-commerce company such as Amazon.com, eBay, Zappos.com, Potterybarn.com, Macys.com, etc with responsibility for creating and executing a strategic partnership program resulting in significant customer acquisition. This is an excellent opportunity to get into a successful, fast-growing, e-commerce company and build their U.S. presence from scratch with the upside of stock options.

/ Please do NOT answer with “SEE RESUME” because it will make it very difficult to get you an interview. Client will read your answers and resume before making a decision to interview. Please make sure to put your answers in the blank boxes on the right hand side of the questionnaire. Please do not make any changes to the format or questions. Thanks!

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Today’s Date?
BASIC QUESTIONS:
Position is located in the Los Angeles area. Working remotely is not an option. Board is flexible to relocate the right candidate. Where do you currently live? Are you able to commute to the LA area?
If you do not already live within commuting distance to the Los Angeles area, then are you flexible to relocate for the right opportunity? (If no, then please do not complete this form.)
Prefer someone to start in the position as soon as possible. When would you be available to start?
Are you currently employed?
Why did you leave or why are you considering leaving your most recent position?
Why did you leave the position you were in before your most recent position?
This is a key hire. Board is willing and able to put together the right package for the right candidate. The compensation package will include: base salary, bonus, stock options and full benefits package. There will be an emphasis on incentives for outstanding performance. The Board wants to hire someone who is very motivated. What are you looking for in terms of compensation? (Please break it down between base, bonus, and equity. I want to know your minimum and your ideal. What is important to you? If you are flexible, then just say that you are flexible. But, I need to know some type of a range or at least know what ballpark we are in. Thanks! Also, Client would really like to know your comp history—W2s over the last couple of years.)
This is a management position. You will be part of the core executive team that includes the CEO. Initially, this will also be an individual contributor position. Need someone that can be very hands-on, roll up their sleeves and do whatever it takes to build revenues while building the team. Need someone that is very strategic and hungry. Someone with a passion for winning. Someone who will make sure the revenues targets are met and/or exceeded. Someone who leaves their ego at the door. Need someone that knows how to work smart. Does this describe you? Why? Are you interested in a management position, an individual contributor position or both? Why? Can you do the work as well as manage others doing it? Please provide one or two examples of situations where you have done both.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Candidates must have held a management position within the last twelve months at an established e-commerce company such as Amazon.com, eBay, Zappos.com, Potterybarn.com, Macys.com, etc with responsibility for creating and executing a strategic partnership program resulting in significant customer acquisition. Do you meet this requirement?If no, then please do not complete this form. If yes, then please answer the following questions:
1)Do you currently or have you been within the last 12 months in a management positionat an established e-commerce company such as Amazon.com, eBay, Zappos.com, Potterybarn.com, Macys.com, etc with responsibility for creating and executing a strategic partnership program resulting in significant customer acquisition? (If no, then please do not complete this form.)
2)What was the name of the company? url?
3)What were your employment dates for your most recent sales position? (month/year started v. month/year left position)
4)What was your title?
5)Briefly outline the strategic partnership program that you created and executed.
6)What are the names of some of the companies that you signed up in this partnership program?
7)What was the resulting increase in customer acquisition?
8)Describe one of your best achievements in this position.
9)How many years of experience do you have in total creating and executing strategic partnership programs for e-commerce companies? / 1)
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GM must be able to hit the ground running. Candidates must have a well developed “Rolodex” of key contacts that may be interested in doing a strategic partnership with a fast growing e-commerce company. Do you meet this requirement? If yes, then please explain. Make sure to drop some company names here so I can get you an interview!!! (You do not need to give the person’s name, but names of companies and titles are very helpful. If you can not name such contacts, then please do NOT complete this form. This is an absolute requirement for the client.)
Please outline 1 or 2 deals that you did (or helped manage/close) within the last five years with one of the companies you just listed above. Make sure to answer the following questions for each deal:
1)Briefly describe the deal within a couple of sentences.
2)Who were the players involved (give specific company names and titles of contacts, if possible.)
3)Describe the extent of your involvement in the deal.
4)What is the time period that you worked on it? (Please give specific dates, month/year you started v. when you closed it.)
5)Who had the original idea to do the deal?
6)Why did you want to do the deal initially?
7)What was the increase in customer acquisition for your employer?
8)What would you have done differently if you were to do the deal again? /
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Must have exposure to retail logistics. Candidates need to understand the supply chain, how it works and flows. Do you meet these requirements? If no, then please do not complete this form. If yes, then please explain. Make sure to outline a specific example or two.
Need someone who is fashion forward and design savvy. Company’s products are contemporary and hip. Need someone that is on top of today’s fashion and market trends. Do you meet these requirements? If no, then please do not complete this form. If yes, then please explain. Make sure to outline a specific example or two.
Prefer someone conversant in French or at least comfortable working with a French-based company. Do you meet this requirement? If yes, then please explain. Make sure to outline a specific example or two.
Need someone who enjoys the entrepreneurial atmosphere of a small company, but has been through the experience of scaling up an enterprise to significant organization size and revenues. Experience working in a dynamic (i.e. “startup”) environment is preferred. Do you meet this requirement? (If yes, then please explain. Make sure to give at least one specific example. Be as specific as possible (e.g. number of users when you started v. when you left; approximate revenues when you started v. when you left; profit margin when you started v. when you left, etc.)
PERSONAL SUMMARY:
This position reports to the CEO. Basically, he prefers to agree to a set of objectives making sure that the objectives are clearly outlined and understood by the individual, then let the individual execute the plan. But, expects the individual to keep him informed of progress. Individual must be able to go the CEO when in need of help. He will only hire someone that is very entrepreneurial and passionate with a burning hunger for success. He wants people with new ideas and strong opinions, but able to move in a fast paced, ever-changing start up environment. Is this management style appealing to you? Why? Please describe your management style and work ethics.
Please list for me in order of importance the factors that are going to determine which position you accept next.
What work accomplishment are you most proud of?
Tell me about someone who has been in the news within the last decade that you admire. Why do you admire this person?