Retail Experience Manager
Cornivore Popcorn Company
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Starting Pay: $41,600 annually
Target Pay: Approximately $52,000 within two years based on performance, leadership, and company growth.
Build Something Special
At Cornivore, we don't just sell popcorn.
We create memorable moments.
Every customer who walks through our doors is looking for something a little different, whether it's discovering a new favorite flavor, finding the perfect gift, or simply enjoying a genuine conversation while sampling gourmet popcorn.
We're looking for a Retail Experience Manager who believes those memorable moments begin with great leadership.
This isn't just another retail management position. It's an opportunity to help shape the culture of a locally owned New Mexico company, develop an outstanding team, and create a place where customers love to visit and employees love to work.
This is a hands-on leadership position. You'll spend as much time coaching people and serving customers as you do managing operations.
If you're someone who naturally takes ownership, leads by example, and enjoys building people as much as building sales, we'd love to meet you.
We're looking for someone who is excited to build a long-term career with Cornivore and grow alongside our company.
The Cornivore Code
Skills can be taught. Character can't.
At Cornivore, we're looking for people who want more than just a paycheck. We're looking for people who want to become part of something special.
Everything we do is guided by The Cornivore Code.
Integrity
We do the right thing, even when no one is watching. We are honest, accountable, and trustworthy in everything we do—with our customers, our teammates, and ourselves.
Commitment
We keep our promises. We take ownership of our responsibilities, finish what we start, and strive to improve every day.
Loyalty
We support one another and work toward a common goal. Great companies are built by people who trust each other and have each other's backs.
Love of the Brand
We treat Cornivore like it's our own. We take pride in every product we make, every customer we serve, and every experience we create because every interaction shapes the reputation of the brand we're building together.
Your Opportunity
We're looking for someone who wants to grow with us.
Our goal is to hire someone who can become an integral part of Cornivore's future.
As you demonstrate leadership, build a strong team, improve operations, and help us grow, we believe your compensation should grow as well.
Our goal is for this position to grow from $41,600 per yea to approximately $52,000 per year within two years, based on performance, leadership, and the continued growth of the company.
We believe in promoting from within whenever possible because we'd rather develop great people than constantly look for new ones.
Your Mission
As the Retail Experience Manager, you'll be entrusted with the daily operation of our retail store and the continued development of the team that serves our customers.
This position combines retail management, employee development, merchandising, customer service, inventory management, event coordination, website management, and operational excellence.
No two days are ever the same...and that's exactly why we love it.
Leadership Responsibilities
You'll help build a retail team that customers remember by:
- Leading daily retail operations
- Scheduling and developing retail associates
- Training and mentoring new employees
- Coaching team members to deliver exceptional customer experiences
- Setting clear expectations while maintaining accountability and respect
- Assisting with interviewing and hiring
- Coordinating onboarding and training
- Addressing employee performance professionally and constructively
- Leading by example every day
Customer Experience
Every customer who walks through our doors leaves with an opinion about Cornivore.
Your mission is to make sure it's a great one.
You'll help create that experience by:
- Delivering exceptional customer service
- Becoming an expert on every Cornivore flavor and its story
- Helping customers discover new favorites
- Managing customer communications
- Creating a warm and welcoming retail environment
- Building relationships that keep customers coming back
Retail Operations
You'll oversee and maintain:
- Retail inventory
- Product merchandising
- Seasonal displays
- Holiday decorating
- Special event preparation
- Store organization
- Opening and closing procedures
- Daily retail presentation
Website & Communication
Help keep our retail presence current by:
- Updating product availability
- Adding new flavors
- Maintaining our Wix website
- Updating store hours
- Posting holiday and special event information
- Keeping customer information accurate and current
Product Knowledge
Become an expert on every Cornivore product.
You'll learn:
- Flavor profiles
- Ingredients
- Allergens
- Nutritional information
Then you'll help every retail associate become just as confident in serving our customers.
Quality Standards
Our customers expect exceptional quality every time.
You'll help ensure:
- Fresh product rotation (FIFO)
- Accurate labeling
- Proper bag presentation
- Product freshness
- Cleanliness throughout the retail store
- Consistent presentation worthy of the Cornivore name
Event Leadership
Cornivore participates in many of New Mexico's signature events, including Balloon Fiesta, Zozobra, and seasonal festivals.
You'll help prepare our retail operation on-site by coordinating inventory, displays, merchandising, booth setup, technology and event logistics while helping lead our team through some of our busiest... and most rewarding... times of the year.
Who Will Thrive Here?
You may be a great fit if you...
- Have experience leading retail, restaurant, hospitality, or customer service teams.
- Believe accountability and kindness can coexist.
- Enjoy coaching people instead of simply managing them.
- Can have difficult conversations professionally while earning the respect of your team.
- Stay calm and focused when things get busy.
- Notice when something isn't right and fix it without being asked.
- Take ownership instead of waiting for direction.
- Enjoy creating systems that make everyone around you more successful.
- Pay attention to details that others often miss.
- Believe exceptional customer experiences are created by exceptional teams.
- Believe the best leaders don't ask people to do things they're unwilling to do themselves.
- Want to help build something you're proud of... not just manage another store.
Preferred Experience
- Retail management
- Restaurant management
- Hospitality management
- Specialty retail
- Inventory management
- Employee scheduling
- Team leadership
- Hiring and onboarding
- Customer service leadership
- Square POS (preferred)
- Wix (Website) experience (helpful but not required)
Physical Requirements
- Able to stand for extended periods
- Able to lift up to 40 pounds
- Comfortable working evenings, weekends, and holidays during busy seasons
Benefits
We may not be a large corporation, but we believe in taking care of our team and creating a workplace where people enjoy coming to work.
We currently offer:
- Flexible scheduling when business needs allow
- Paid time off for approved days away from work
- Employee discount on Cornivore products
- Optional access to ancillary benefits, including dental, vision, and life insurance through UnitedHealthcare (employee-paid; eligibility requirements apply)
- Performance-based wage growth
- Advancement opportunities as Cornivore continues to grow
Picture Yourself Here...
Imagine yourself six months from now.
You've built a team that enjoys coming to work.
Customers ask for you by name.
The store is organized, inventory is under control, and new employees are confident because you've invested in their success.
When something goes wrong, your team doesn't wait for someone else to solve it, they step up because they've learned to lead by your example.
You've earned the trust of the owners because you treat Cornivore like it's your own.
If that sounds like the kind of work that motivates you, we'd love to meet you.
Ready to Build Something Special?
We're not just looking for someone to manage a store.
We're looking for someone to help build the future of Cornivore.
At Cornivore, we believe great people build great companies. If you're looking for a place where your leadership, ideas, and work ethic truly matter, we'd love to hear your story.
Pay: From $41,600.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Application Question(s):
- 1. Do you have at least two years of experience supervising employees?
- 2. Do you have experience creating employee schedules?
- 3. Have you ever been responsible for hiring or interviewing employees?
- 4. Are you available to work weekends, evenings, and holidays during peak seasons?
- 5. Are you comfortable standing for extended periods and lifting up to 40 pounds?
- 6. In one or two sentences, tell us why you're interested in joining Cornivore.
- 7. Describe a time you took ownership of a problem at work without being asked. What did you do?
Work Location: In person
