Carr Hardware is seeking a motivated, hands-on individual to join our leadership team as a Manager in Training. This is an intensive development position designed to build our next generation of store leaders—individuals who combine strong retail leadership with the technical product knowledge needed to confidently serve our customers and support our associates.
Retail management experience is valuable, but this role goes well beyond learning how to operate a store. Our stores carry thousands of products across a wide range of technical categories. The successful candidate must be prepared to make a significant commitment to product training and hands-on learning.
The goal is to develop a well-rounded leader who understands both how to run the business and how to help customers solve problems.
Extensive Product Training
A major focus of this position will be developing technical knowledge across our core departments, including:
- Plumbing fittings, repairs, and common household plumbing problems
- Electrical supplies, wiring applications, switches, outlets, and lighting
- Paint products, colour matching, surface preparation, and application
- Hand tools, power tools, accessories, and proper product selection
- Lawn and garden equipment, seasonal products, and outdoor power equipment
- Hardware, fasteners, anchors, locks, and security products
- Building materials, lumber, weatherproofing, and home-repair products
- Rental equipment, safe operation, and matching equipment to the customer’s project
- Propane procedures and safety requirements
- Grills, outdoor living, and seasonal product categories
- Commercial, contractor, and industrial products
- Vendor programmes, warranties, special orders, and product alternatives
Training will include a combination of structured courses, vendor certifications, hands-on demonstrations, department rotations, shadowing experienced employees, and practical customer-service experience. Candidates must be curious, willing to ask questions, and committed to continuing their product education throughout the program.
Because of the breadth of operational and technical product knowledge required, the Manager in Training program is expected to take a minimum of 6–12 months to complete. The actual timeframe will depend on the individual’s previous experience, progress, and demonstrated readiness. Completion of the training period does not guarantee promotion within a specific timeframe; advancement will be based on business needs and the successful demonstration of the leadership, operational, and technical skills required for the position.
Leadership and Store Operations Training
In addition to technical product development, the Manager in Training will learn to:
- Deliver exceptional service and help customers find practical solutions
- Lead, coach, and provide clear direction to store associates
- Delegate work and follow up to ensure tasks are completed
- Support employee development and accountability
- Learn opening, closing, cash-handling, and daily operating procedures
- Assist with scheduling and payroll management
- Maintain strong merchandising, recovery, cleanliness, and safety standards
- Monitor inventory, low-stock items, missed sales, and product availability
- Understand store sales, gross margin, shrink, inventory turns, and profitability
- Support receiving, ordering, special orders, and inventory management
- Assume increasing responsibility for the operation of the store as training progresses
What We’re Looking For
- Previous retail, customer-service, supervisory, trade, or leadership experience
- A genuine interest in developing a long-term career in hardware retail management
- Strong mechanical aptitude and an interest in understanding how products work
- The ability and willingness to learn a broad range of technical product categories
- Curiosity, initiative, and confidence asking questions
- Strong communication, organisation, and problem-solving skills
- A hands-on leadership style and willingness to work alongside the team
- Dependability and consistent follow-through
- The confidence to provide direction and hold employees accountable
- Ability to work a flexible retail schedule, including evenings and weekends
- Hardware, home-improvement, construction, or trade experience is helpful but not required
You do not need to arrive knowing every product we sell. However, you must be committed to developing the technical expertise required to become a trusted resource for customers and employees.
What We Offer
- A comprehensive, hands-on management and product-training programme
- Vendor training and opportunities to earn relevant product certifications
- Exposure to every major area of the hardware business
- Mentoring from experienced store and company leaders
- Increasing leadership responsibility as skills and knowledge develop
- Clear opportunities for advancement into Assistant Store Manager and Store Manager positions
- Competitive compensation
- Comprehensive benefits for eligible employees
- Employee discount
- A supportive, locally owned company with a strong community presence
Carr Hardware has been serving our communities since 1928. We are investing in building a strong bench of future leaders who can operate a successful store, develop their teams, and provide the technical knowledge our customers expect.
If you are ready to learn extensively, lead confidently, and build a long-term career in hardware retail, we encourage you to apply.
Carr Hardware is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Pay: $24.00 - $27.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Application Question(s):
- Please briefly describe your experience in retail leadership, hardware, home improvement, construction, maintenance, mechanical work, or a skilled trade.
- Are you willing and able to work a flexible retail schedule, including weekends, and train at different Carr Hardware locations as needed?
- Why are you interested in this development program, and what do you hope to achieve through it?
- Are you willing to complete an intensive Manager in Training program expected to take at least 6–12 months, including extensive hands-on product training across plumbing, electrical, paint, tools, power equipment, rental, and other hardware categories?
License/Certification:
- Driver's license (Required)
Work Location: In person
