Assistant Store Manager - Back-end Ops

Kent Building Supplies; Antigonish; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with annual bonus incentives

Wellness Program

Employee and Family Assistance Plan

Employee Discounts

Medical, Dental, Vision, RRSP Matching, and PTO benefits

Growth and development opportunities

Job summary

Kent Building Supplies in Antigonish is looking for an Assistant Store Manager – Back-End Operations to lead operational efficiency and support customer fulfillment. This vital role oversees the materials yard, shipping, and inventory integrity while ensuring safety standards are met.

The ideal candidate has over 5 years of retail management experience, excellent communication skills, and a strong customer service attitude. Benefit offerings include competitive salary, wellness programs, and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in retail management.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Ability to leverage technology for project management and analysis.
• Openness to continuous improvement and responsibility for independent learning.
• Experience with shrink and inventory control.
• 21+ years of age due to forklift training requirement.

Responsibilities

• Oversee back-end operations and lead building materials yard.
• Ensure accurate inventory counts and implement loss prevention practices.
• Maintain organized and compliant yard and back-end workspaces.
• Partner with front-end leadership to support sales execution.
• Review sales and operational data for improvements.
• Oversee delivery operations for timely service.
• Coach and train associates through regular check-ins.
• Leverage technology for operational tracking.

Skills

Retail Management

Communication Skills

Customer Service

Technology Leveraging

Inventory Control

Flexibility

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Kronos

D365

Job description

At KENT, we believe our success is driven by strong, people‑focused leadership and operational excellence. Each retail location operates as a complex, multi‑unit business designed to serve a wide range of customer needs. In addition to our core home improvement retail operation, our stores support a strong Pro‑focused business and deliver Install Sales solutions, all of which rely heavily on efficient, well‑executed back‑end operations.

Role Overview

As an Assistant Store Manager – Back‑End Operations, you will play a critical leadership role in ensuring these business lines are supported through safe, efficient, and accurate operational execution. This includes oversight of the building materials yard, shipping, order picking, inventory integrity, and fleet operations. Your leadership directly impacts customer experience, sales execution, and profitability across the store.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee back‑end operations: lead building materials yard, shipping, and order‑picking functions to support store‑wide execution and customer fulfillment.
• Manage inventory integrity and shrink: ensure accurate inventory counts, loss prevention practices, and strong controls across back‑end areas.
• Maintain yard standards and safety: ensure the yard and back‑end workspaces are organized, compliant, and safe for both associates and customers.
• Drive operational support for sales: partner with front‑end leadership to support lumber, building materials, Pro, and Install Sales execution through accurate product availability and timely fulfillment.
• Analyze performance: review sales, operational, and inventory data to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, service levels, and profitability.
• Manage fleet operations (where applicable): oversee delivery operations to ensure timely, efficient service aligned with customer expectations.
• Develop and engage teams: coach, train, and support associates through regular check‑ins, feedback, and development conversations.
• Use systems effectively: leverage Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook), Kronos for timekeeping, and D365 for inventory, sales, and operational tracking.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in retail management.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Ability to leverage technology for project management, analysis, and solving problems (including Microsoft Office Suite).
• Openness to continuous improvement and responsibility for independent learning.
• Flexible schedule based on retail needs.
• Experience with shrink and inventory control.
• 21+ years of age due to the forklift training requirement (in‑house training provided); previous forklift experience is an asset.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with eligibility for annual bonus incentives.
• Wellness Program
• Employee and Family Assistance Plan
• Employee Discounts
• Medical, Dental, Vision, RRSP Matching, and PTO benefits.
• Growth and development opportunities through KENT and the greater J.D. Irving, Limited organization.