Manager, Retail Operations

This is more than a store management position—it's an opportunity to shape the future of retail at Allegheny College. As the leader of the College's retail enterprise, you will oversee the campus store, e-commerce operations, athletic venue sales, and mobile retail opportunities while developing strategies that make retail operations more efficient, improve overall business performance, increase sales and revenue, and strengthen engagement with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the greater community. Working collaboratively with campus partners, you will create memorable experiences that build school pride, enhance the Allegheny brand, and support the College's mission through innovative merchandising, strategic partnerships, and exceptional customer service. What You'll Do Lead Strategic Growth and Operational Excellence As the strategic leader for all retail operations, you will develop and execute a bold vision that drives revenue growth, profitability, customer engagement, and brand visibility. Lead all retail operations, including the campus store, online store, athletic venues, and mobile retail locations such as the TailGator Trailer. Develop and execute a comprehensive retail strategy focused on improving operational efficiency, increasing revenue, enhancing customer experiences, and strengthening engagement with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. Identify opportunities to streamline processes, optimize resources, and implement innovative solutions that support sustainable retail growth. Create data-driven plans to improve inventory performance, increase turnover, reduce shrinkage, and maximize operational effectiveness. Design compelling visual merchandising experiences that showcase the Allegheny brand and inspire customer loyalty. Develop pricing, budgeting, and purchasing strategies that support long-term financial success. Identify new revenue opportunities through special events, partnerships, and expanded sales channels. Curate an Exciting Product Experience You'll have the opportunity to shape what customers see, buy, and remember. Select and purchase merchandise across all retail channels. Build strong vendor relationships and negotiate contracts that maximize value. Analyze market trends, customer preferences, and emerging opportunities. Manage annual open-to-buy budgets and inventory investments. Ensure brand consistency and licensing compliance while delivering fresh, relevant merchandise selections. Build a Dynamic Marketing Presence Help tell the Allegheny story through creative marketing and customer engagement initiatives. Develop and execute comprehensive marketing campaigns across retail channels. Leverage customer insights and demographic data to drive sales and engagement. Maintain a strong social media presence that promotes merchandise, events, and campus pride. Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to ensure brand excellence across all customer touchpoints. Create Strategic Partnerships Across Campus Success in this role means building relationships that strengthen the College community. Support major institutional events with strategic merchandising opportunities that enhance the Allegheny experience by partnering with Athletics, Student Life, Student Success, Conference & Event Services, and other departments to expand merchandise sales and event participation. Enhance the game-day and event experience for students, alumni, and fans. Explore new off-campus retail opportunities and community partnerships throughout Meadville and beyond. Serve as a campus ambassador for retail initiatives, helping departments leverage merchandise and branding opportunities. Lead and Inspire a Team You'll build a culture of service, innovation, and professional development. Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and develop retail staff and student employees. Create meaningful student employment experiences that build transferable career skills. Foster a positive, customer-focused environment that encourages creativity and accountability. Develop staffing models that support operational excellence across multiple locations and events. Mentor team members and empower them to contribute ideas that enhance performance and customer satisfaction. What We're Looking For Required Qualifications 4-7 years of retail management experience with demonstrated leadership success. Bachelor's degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and extensive retail leadership experience. Knowledge & Experience Retail operations and merchandising Inventory management and purchasing Budget development and financial reporting Employee supervision and team development Marketing and customer engagement strategies Skills & Abilities Exceptional leadership and relationship-building skills Strong organizational and project management abilities Data-driven decision-making and analytical thinking Creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial mindset Outstanding communication and customer service skills Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace Familiarity with social media platforms and digital engagement tools