Bringing "sincere craftsmanship" to the world. We are looking for a Store Operations Manager candidate to expand our stores from 2 to 10 by the end of 2027!
"Honest Craftsmanship" to the World. Seeking Store Management Candidate to Expand from 2 to 10 Stores by End of 2027!
HushTug is currently looking for a store management candidate to lead the expansion phase as we aim to increase our directly managed stores from 2 to 10 by the end of 2027.
Would you like to help spread our philosophy of "honest craftsmanship for our customers" and grow HushTug into a globally recognized brand?
(We are conducting casual interviews with no resume required. Let's have a frank chat for about 15-30 minutes, either in person or online!)
01What is HushTug?
HushTug is a leather brand that started in 2019, with all founding members having no prior experience in apparel.
Initially, we only sold online, but in 2023, we opened a directly managed store in Ikebukuro, and in 2025, another in the Harajuku Omotesando area.
Ikebukuro store, operating since 2023
As you can see from the graph below, our annual sales (revenue) significantly increased in the years we opened new stores.
The number of people who buy bags costing tens of thousands of yen online alone is still small.
We believe that it is important for customers to have more places where they can "see the actual product and purchase with peace of mind," so we have made the expansion of our directly managed stores one of our biggest missions.
02What HushTug Aims For
We aim to create a world where "brands honest with their customers" are the most highly valued.
Instead of selling overpriced bags based on a vague image, we want customers to make purchases they are convinced about, after being told both the good and bad points.
By doing so, we believe that customers will not regret their purchases and can lead richer lives than before.
03HushTug's Features/Strengths
Here are some examples of HushTug's efforts to be a brand that is honest with its customers.
Disclosure of Product Costs
For each product, we disclose all costs, including "leather price, craftsman labor costs, and other shipping fees."
This is one of the things we have been doing since our founding to ensure customers purchase with confidence.
The ultimate simplicity, eliminating all unnecessary ornamentation.
We pursue simple designs that do not have unnecessary pockets or metal fittings on the surface, etc.
Instead of using over-spec materials for leather and metal fittings, we adopt materials that offer the best value for money and embody the most essential qualities.
04Reasons for Expanding Directly Managed Stores
No matter how "honest a business" we conduct, it's meaningless if it only reaches a limited number of people.
Also, we don't plan to take decades to achieve our goal of becoming a "globally recognized brand."
To grow at a pace that surpasses long-established brands, we need to expand our directly managed stores from 2 to 10 by the end of 2027, as they are the most effective way to convey HushTug's "honesty" to our customers.
05Job Responsibilities After Joining
If you join as a store management candidate, you will advance your career as a store staff, store manager, and eventually store supervisor.
Store Staff
- Provide honest customer service.
- Engage in web marketing activities such as managing social media for each store and sending newsletters.
Store Manager
- Create an environment where all staff, not just yourself, can provide honest customer service.
- Create manuals to help new staff quickly become proficient in customer service.
- Manage inventory ordering and control for your assigned store.
Store Supervisor
- Develop education and evaluation systems to ensure "honest customer service" is consistently implemented across all stores.
- Recruit and train store manager candidates.
- Fulfill P/L responsibilities by understanding the sales, expenses, and profits of the store operations business to ensure profitable operations.
- Analyze "customer feedback" collected from each store and plan and execute product development and store improvements.
You will achieve these career advancements by the end of 2027, when we reach 10 stores.
While the rapid growth means there's a lot to think about daily and it can be challenging, we welcome anyone with a strong desire to grow (over 80% of HushTug employees joined without prior experience).
06Examples of Senior Staff
Two store staff members who joined in 2025 had no prior experience as store managers, but are now making the following contributions:
Ms. Hayashi, joined September 2025, 27 years old
- Current Store Operations Manager
- Overall management of directly operated stores
- Staff training, manual creation, and recruitment for stores
- Responsible for the P/L of the store business, committed to maximizing profits
Mr. Akutsu, joined July 2025, 27 years old
- Current Head of Graphic Design
- Management/Administration of store operations
- Photography and management of images/videos for the e-commerce site
07What You Can Gain at HushTug
・Learn the entire business flow of brand operation
HushTug handles everything from product planning, sales, to after-sales support in-house.
As a still-small brand, there are no departmental barriers, allowing for casual communication.
While your department will be store operations, it's an environment where you can learn the entire brand operation end-to-end.
・Gain experience in cutting-edge web marketing
All founding members of HushTug have experience in web marketing.
Therefore, we pride ourselves on having some of the best web marketing knowledge in Japan among leather brands.
Naturally, you will be involved in using AI for operational efficiency and web advertising for online customer acquisition in store operations, allowing you to learn not only store management but also cutting-edge AI and IT technologies.
・Work with highly enthusiastic colleagues
All HushTug employees are eager to improve their skills and grow.
Every day, they are actively experimenting and refining their abilities to acquire new skills.
While this environment may not suit those who prefer only routine tasks, it's a perfect fit for individuals who are ambitious about personal growth.
・Experience the brand's growth firsthand
We are currently growing at a pace that is surpassing established brands.
Although still a small brand, witnessing a rapidly growing brand up close can be a great source of inspiration.
08About Work-Life Balance
・No forced purchases
There is no forced purchase of HushTug products.
・Salary review after 6 months of employment
Regardless of the time of year, there is a salary review 6 months after joining.
Of the approximately 10 people who have been subject to this so far, all have achieved a salary increase of at least 20,000 yen.
Almost all employees have also continued to receive raises in the subsequent twice-yearly salary reviews (as of 2025, not a guarantee of future raises).
・No individual sales targets
While there are sales targets for the entire store business, there are no individual sales targets.
You can focus on maximizing customer satisfaction.
・Breaks are always guaranteed
Even during busy periods like Christmas, a 1-hour break is always guaranteed.
・50% off staff discount
If you wish to purchase HushTug products, you and your family can buy all products at 50% off (friends get 25% off).
・No overtime due to closing procedures
Your scheduled working hours end 30 minutes after closing, so there is no chronic overtime.
・No obligation to wear heels
Walking shoes like sneakers are fine.
However, we do not allow Crocs or similar footwear that would significantly detract from the store's atmosphere.
・No extremely restrictive clothing
You can serve customers in your casual clothes, and there are no strict dress code regulations.
However, tracksuits, sweatshirts, and overly eccentric fashion are not permitted.
・More than half of working hours are seated
As there are almost no walk-in customers, we serve about 10 customer groups per day.
During times when there are no customers, you will be seated and engaged in desk work such as web marketing.
09About Work Style
Work Location
You will primarily be working at:
- HushTug Harajuku Omotesando store (approx. 8 minutes walk from Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line, approx. 4 minutes from Meiji-jingumae Station, approx. 9 minutes from Omotesando Station)
- HushTug Ikebukuro store (approx. 15 minutes walk from Ikebukuro Station on the JR Yamanote Line)
- Future stores (Shinjuku/Ginza, etc.)
You may also be asked to commute to the head office in Otsuka on an irregular basis.
Unless requested, there is currently no possibility of relocation or transfer from existing stores or future stores in urban areas.
Workplace Atmosphere
We have 10 full-time employees, consisting of 5 men and 5 women (+ 3 male executives).
There are 20 contractors and part-time workers (11 men, 9 women), with an average age of about 27.
Employee Interview Notes
While there are rules in the stores to ensure customer comfort, we aim to eliminate all other unnecessary stressors in the workplace.
There are no suffocating hierarchies or internal politics; everyone is genuinely focused on improving their skills and maximizing customer satisfaction.
HushTug Designer Nakajima
Also appears on YouTube
Unlike other brands, store staff have significant discretion, including input on store improvements and customer service methods.
Additionally, due to the small team size, there are frequent opportunities to communicate with the CEO, Vice President, and head office staff, and store staff's opinions are often adopted.
About Holidays
One of HushTug's cultural principles is to "take proper time off."
We have a two-day work week, and employees submit their preferred days off for the following week by Thursday of the current week.
For store staff, shifts are managed by multiple staff members, allowing for flexible holiday arrangements with adjustments as needed.
Although there are no public holidays off, there are special holidays during Obon and New Year's (dates may be adjusted in coordination with store operations).
Additionally, all employees have a 100% paid leave utilization rate, so they can use it freely.
Overtime is never enforced, so almost all employees go home at the scheduled time every day.
Let's take proper rest and maximize our performance during working hours.
10Job Vacancy
| Job Description | Retail customer service for the leather brand "HushTug" (Store Management Candidate) |
|---|---|
| Employment Type | Full-time employee |
| Work Location | Fuki Building 301, 6-9-1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Approx. 8 minutes walk from Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line, approx. 4 minutes from Meiji-jingumae Station, approx. 9 minutes from Omotesando Station) or 3-11-12 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo (Approx. 15 minutes walk from Ikebukuro Station on the JR Yamanote Line) or New stores opening soon in the Tokyo area (Shinjuku/Ginza, etc.) |
| Working Hours/Holidays |
|
| Salary |
First year: Base salary 300,000 - 400,000 yen + incentive (varies based on skills and performance) Salary reviews: Twice a year (April, October) Bonus: Once a year (January * Amount varies based on contribution) |
| Benefits | Social insurance complete Commuting allowance (up to 20,000 yen per month) |
| Application Requirements | Individuals who resonate with HushTug's philosophy and wish to embody it. |
(*We also welcome inquiries for consultations or questions, not just applications.)
Learn more about our benefits here ↓
We plan to continue adjusting to even better systems in the future.
We also welcome suggestions like, "I would be happy if there were benefits like this!"
Let's create a comfortable working environment together.
11Hiring Process
We will proceed with hiring according to the following flow.
Apply via LINE
Please contact us via the official LINE at the bottom of this page.
We will reply within 3 business days.
Casual Interview
First, you'll have a casual interview with Hayashi, the Head of Store Operations (conducted at a directly managed store, so you can also check out the products and store atmosphere).
Feel free to ask any questions you have about this recruitment for about 15-30 minutes.
This is not an evaluative selection process.
It's an opportunity for mutual understanding, where we can have a frank discussion to see if our values and career aspirations align.
◇Interview with Hayashi
First Interview
If you are interested in our company after the casual interview, you will have a first interview with our Vice Representative, Takahashi.
We will discuss more detailed topics such as actual job responsibilities and what we are looking for.
◇Interview with Takahashi
Final Interview
You will have a final interview with our CEO, Toda.
We will assess the applicant's aptitude and values to determine suitability for employment.
◇Interview with Toda
〈SNS Accounts〉
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@ec_web-marketing
Job Offer
We will notify you of the hiring decision (successful or unsuccessful) via official LINE within a few days of the final interview.
If hired, we will discuss and confirm your start date.
12How to Apply
Please apply via the official LINE at the bottom of this page.
We typically start with a casual interview of 15-30 minutes (in-person or online) without requiring a resume, but it is also possible to proceed directly to the formal selection process.
If you wish to proceed directly to the formal selection process, please prepare the following and contact us via LINE:
- Name
- Age
- Desired position
- Resume
- Curriculum Vitae
13Finally
HushTug is a young brand, only about 6 years old, but we aim not only to become a top-class brand in Japan, but also to diversify into other product genres beyond leather goods and expand overseas.
Currently, HushTug is in its founding stage, and while our internal systems may not be as established as larger corporations, everyone possesses a venture mindset and is eager for growth.
Achieving results leads to significant salary increases, and you can experience firsthand a brand undergoing rapid expansion.
While this means there will be many challenges, we promise an environment where you can truly say, "I'm glad I joined HushTug" when you look back in the future.
We look forward to receiving applications from enthusiastic individuals who are willing to contribute to the store expansion that will take HushTug to the next level.
*Due to delivery rates, all communication until your first day of work will be conducted via LINE, not email.
(Please rest assured that the information you provide will not be used for any purpose other than recruitment)