Join Our Team at Search360: Planet Access Senior Retail Store Operations Manager
Location: Planet Access – Chicago, IL (Lincoln Square & Wicker Park)
Benefits Offered: Medical, Life Insurance, 401k, Dental
Employment Type: Full Time
Schedule: Sunday to Thursday
Salary: $73,000-75,000 annually (exempt)
About the Role: The Senior Retail Operations Manager is a key leader responsible for the success of Planet Access's retail stores in Lincoln Square and Wicker Park. In this role, you will provide leadership on daily operations alongside the Store Managers, drive sales growth and build high-performing teams to ensure an outstanding shopping experience for every customer across both stores.
You will use sales data and business insights to improve store performance, manage inventory, increase profitability and support purchasing decisions. You'll work closely with leadership to ensure both stores operate efficiently and with a focus on continuous improvement and building customer loyalty.
This role is about more than running retail stores. As part of Search360, you'll help lead a business that creates meaningful opportunities and supports a mission that changes lives. Your leadership will directly contribute to the growth of Planet Access while supporting programs that empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
This position is approximately 75% administrative and 25% on the sales floor. Depending on business needs, you may spend additional time supporting store operations, filling in for a Store Manager, or coaching team members to ensure both locations continue to succeed.
Be a part of something bigger: Join our mission-driven team today!
Benefits We Offer:
- Paid Time Off: Vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.
- Health Coverage: Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Pet Insurance too!
- Financial Support: 401(k), flexible spending account, and help with loan forgiveness programs.
- Professional Growth: Ongoing training, staff development, and appreciation events.
- Employee Perks: Discounts, swag, and more!
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent retail leadership experience.
- Five or more years of retail management experience, with demonstrated success driving sales growth, inventory management and operational performance.
- Strong analytical skills with experience using sales and inventory data to make business decisions.
- Proven ability to recruit, coach and develop high-performing teams.
- Excellent communication, organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency with retail POS systems (Lightspeed a plus) and Microsoft 365.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and holidays as business needs require.
Physical Requirements:
- Stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
- Lift and move merchandise weighing up to 40 pounds.
- Travel regularly between both store locations.
- Perform tasks requiring bending, reaching, climbing ladders and moving merchandise.
Responsibilities:
Sales Leadership
- Drive sales performance across both locations by establishing goals, monitoring KPIs, analyzing sales trends and implementing strategies that increase revenue, customer loyalty and profitability.
- Partner with store leadership to execute merchandising initiatives, promotions and product launches that maximize sales performance.
- Coach and support store leaders in developing and executing sales strategies, fostering accountability for achieving store sales goals.
- Prepare regular reports on sales performance, inventory metrics and operational performance.
Retail Operations
- Oversee all operational functions for both stores, ensuring consistency in execution, customer experience, merchandising standards and operational procedures.
- Develop and maintain efficient operational processes that support profitability and an exceptional shopping experience.
- Maintain compliance with company policies, cash-handling procedures, safety standards, and operational best practices.
Staff Leadership & Development
- Supervise, mentor and develop store managers, as well as support the retention of retail staff across both locations.
- Create employee schedules, conduct performance evaluations and provide coaching to develop consistency across both locations.
Inventory Management & Merchandising
- Oversee inventory accuracy and reporting across both locations, alongside team, to assist with informed purchase and replenishment recommendations.
- Coordinate inventory counts and cycle count schedules across both locations in partnership with the team.
- Ensure merchandising standards are consistently executed to maximize product presentation and sales.
Other
- Champion a customer-first culture that delivers exceptional service, shopping experiences and drives customer loyalty.
- Serve as an ambassador for the organization's mission, ensuring the retail experience reflects the values and purpose of the organization.
- Identify opportunities to build partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and supporters that increase store visibility, customer engagement and mission awareness.
Why Join Search360:
Lead with Purpose: Use your retail leadership skills to grow a mission-driven business that directly supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
Drive Growth & Innovation: Lead two retail locations, build high-performing teams, improve operations, and help shape the future of Planet Access.
Make a Lasting Impact: Every sale helps fund Search360's programs and services, allowing you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people we support while building a rewarding career.
Pay: $73,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- Retail management: 5 years (Required)
- Sales: 2 years (Required)
- Inventory Data: 2 years (Required)
- Technology sales: 3 years (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Chicago, IL 60622 (Required)
Work Location: In person
