Department Manager, Operations Support

MEC; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

MEC is seeking a Department Manager, Operations Support to lead back-of-house operations, inventory flow, loss prevention, health and safety, and operational support functions. Reporting to the General Manager, you will partner with Senior Staff to drive operational excellence, balance risk and people-first leadership, and ensure the member experience aligns with MEC standards.

You bring 1–3 years of leadership in retail, strong KPI orientation, and experience with inventory systems; a passion

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of leadership experience in retail or service with operations responsibility.
• Strong operational and business acumen with KPI interpretation.
• Experience with inventory management systems and OMS workflows.
• Working knowledge of loss prevention, inventory controls, and health & safety.
• Strong communication and collaboration across teams.
• Sound judgment for fast-paced, complex environments.
• Passion for outdoor activities and lifestyle.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead inventory, stockroom, OMS, shipment, and back-of-house operations.
• Ensure standards, SLAs, and workflows are executed accurately.
• Identify risks and gaps, implement corrective actions.
• Serve as escalation point for systems, facilities, and issues.
• Lead loss prevention practices, audits, and cycle counts.
• Support a safe and compliant work environment and JHSC leadership.
• Respond to incidents and drive corrective actions.
• Lead, coach, and develop the operations team with training and feedback.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and workforce planning for operations roles.
• Build engagement and accountability across the team.
• Foster an inclusive, respectful, high-performing environment.
• Act as the Member Service Manager on the floor when required.
• Support consistent execution of Member Service Desk, Cash, Rental, RAC processes.
• Partner with store leadership to ensure operation supports member experience.

Skills

Leadership experience

Operations acumen

Inventory management

Loss prevention

Communication

Decision making

Outdoor lifestyle passion

Flexibility

Tools

Inventory management systems

OMS workflows

Retail operating systems

Job description

Why Join MEC

At MEC, our purpose is to equip people for a lifetime of great outdoor experiences and adventure. Our home is on the trail—and everything we do is grounded in a deep belief in the power of the outdoors to build confidence, connection, and community.

Why Join MEC

At MEC, our purpose is to equip people for a lifetime of great outdoor experiences and adventure. Our home is on the trail—and everything we do is grounded in a deep belief in the power of the outdoors to build confidence, connection, and community.

What sets MEC apart is our deep expertise, thoughtful product curation, and strong community connection, all focused on serving our members. Our teams bring lived outdoor experience and product knowledge to every interaction, helping members find the right gear and guidance for where they’re going next. We curate products with intention—prioritizing quality, performance, and sustainability—so members can trust what they buy and how it’s made. And we show up in our communities through local partnerships, events, and shared outdoor experiences that extend far beyond our store walls.

We’re a people‑first organization, grounded in our values of respect, integrity, inclusivity, collaboration, and accountability. Our leaders play a hands‑on role in bringing these values and differentiators to life—building strong teams, leading with care and clarity, and ensuring every decision supports meaningful experiences for our members, our staff, and the places we love to explore.

The Opportunity

As the Department Manager, Operations Support, you are a key store leader responsible for driving day‑to‑day operational excellence. You lead back‑of‑house operations, inventory flow, loss prevention, health and safety, and operational support functions that keep the store running safely, efficiently, and in alignment with MEC standards.

Reporting to the General Manager, you partner closely with the Senior Staff Team to identify risks, improve operational performance, and build strong operational capability within the team. You balance disciplined execution with people‑first leadership, ensuring operational excellence supports both the member experience and business results.

What You’ll Be Responsible For Operational Excellence

• Lead inventory, stockroom, OMS, shipment, and back‑of‑house operations
• Ensure operational standards, SLAs, and workflows are executed accurately and consistently
• Identify operational risks and gaps, implementing corrective action plans
• Serve as a key escalation point for systems, facilities, and operational issues

Loss Prevention, Health & Safety

• Lead loss prevention practices, audits, and cycle counts to protect inventory integrity
• Support a safe and compliant work environment, including Joint Health & Safety Committee leadership
• Respond to incidents, identify trends, and drive corrective actions

People Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop the operations team through training, feedback, and regular check‑ins
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and workforce planning for operations roles
• Build engagement, accountability, and operational capability across the team
• Foster an inclusive, respectful, and high‑performing team environment

Member Service & Store Operations

• Act as the Member Service Manager on the floor when required
• Support consistent execution of Member Service Desk, Cash, Rental, and RAC processes
• Partner with store leadership to ensure operational execution supports a strong member experience

What You Bring

• 1–3 years of leadership experience in a retail or service environment with accountability for operations and people leadership
• Strong operational and business acumen, with the ability to interpret KPIs and drive consistent execution
• Experience with inventory management systems, OMS workflows, and retail operating systems
• Working knowledge of loss prevention, inventory controls, and workplace health & safety
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across teams and partners
• Sound judgment and comfort making decisions in fast‑paced, operationally complex environments
• Passion for outdoor activities and the outdoor lifestyle
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays

Work Environment

This is an active, hands‑on leadership role requiring regular presence in back‑of‑house and on the sales floor. The role includes standing, walking, lifting (up to 50 lbs), and navigating stockroom and store environments while supporting daily operations.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

MEC is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive, respectful, and barrier‑free workplace. We value diversity and believe our teams are stronger when everyone feels safe, supported, and able to be themselves at work.

This posting is intended to backfill an existing role. The anticipated base salary range of this role is $48100 to $60200. The exact salary will be dependent on the successful candidate’s relevant skills, experience, qualifications, store location, and internal equity. This role is eligible for a variable annual incentive plan.