Department Manager, Operations Support

Socket.dev; Whistler; On-site; CAD 48,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

MEC Whistler is seeking an experienced Department Manager, Operations Support to lead day-to-day store operations, back-of-house processes, inventory flow, loss prevention, and safety, reporting to the General Manager.

You will partner with the Senior Staff Team to balance disciplined execution with people-first leadership, build operational capability, and ensure the member experience aligns with MEC standards and values.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of leadership experience in a retail or service environment responsible for operations and people leadership
• Strong operational and business acumen with ability to interpret KPIs and drive 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
• Comfort making decisions in fast-paced, complex environments
• Passion for outdoor lifestyle and customer service
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays

Responsibilities

• Lead inventory, stockroom, OMS, shipment, and back-of-house operations
• Ensure operational standards, SLAs, and workflows are executed accurately
• Identify operational risks and gaps, implementing corrective actions
• Serve as a key escalation point for systems, facilities, and operational issues
• Lead loss prevention practices, audits, and cycle counts to protect inventory
• 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
• Act as the Member Service Manager on the floor when required
• Support consistent execution of Member Service Desk, Cash, Rental, and RAC processes

Job description

Why Join MEC

MEC is expanding! We're opening our newest store in Whistler, and we're looking for an experienced retail leader to join our founding leadership team. As a Department Manager, you'll have a unique opportunity to help shape the culture, build the team, and bring MEC's purpose and values to life from day one in one of the world's most iconic mountain destinations.

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. As part of a founding team, you'll play a hands-on role in bringing these values and differentiators to life from the very start—leading with care and clarity, and helping build what MEC means to the Whistler community for years to come.

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.

Compensation

• This role ranges from $48,100 to $58,00 depending on skills and experience.