Experience-First Store Leader - Guest Experience & Growth

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. in Louisville, KY seeks a Chief Workshop Manager (CWM) to ensure an exceptional Guest experience, lead a high‑performing team, and drive financial results in the Experience First culture.

You will coach AWMs, SLs, Bear Builders; oversee scheduling, payroll, inventory, and policy adherence; hire and promote teammates; and model leadership across shifts to deliver consistent brand standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of management experience with a proven, successful history in a customer‑centric business.
• High school diploma or GED required
• Experience using common store technology solutions (POS, scheduling, HRIS, time and attendance)
• 2-4 years of store management experience (preferred)
• Associate’s degree or higher in business, management, or a related field (preferred)
• Proficiency in the use of common store technology solutions (POS, scheduling, HRIS, time and attendance)

Responsibilities

• Drive sales and team performance by coaching AWMs, SLs, and Bear Builders, ensuring a Guest experience that reflects the Experience First culture, and managing payroll, forecasting, and scheduling based on business trends to achieve or surpass targets.
• Create weekly schedules and determine associates’ daily assignments with the assistance of the Assistant Workshop Manager (AWM); direct their work, including managing break schedules, completing assigned tasks and daily priorities, and serving as a role model leader.
• Make hiring and promotion decisions, taking into consideration feedback and recommendations from the AWM regarding applicant selection and staff advancement.
• Lead and inspire your team during scheduled shifts, enforcing and adhering to Build-A-Bear Workshop policies, procedures, and standards. Identify and communicate any possible violations to the District Manager and/or Territory Manager immediately, for escalation to HR. Take appropriate disciplinary actions in coordination with DM and HR as required by policy, and deliver corrective actions to team members, with the assistance of the AWM, when violations occur. This includes store security and cash management, product confidentiality, safety, attendance, business conduct, and all other policies as communicated in the associate handbook.
• Ensure that all merchandising displays and layouts adhere to brand standards, creating an inviting and cohesive store environment.
• Exercise common sense and independent judgment in responding to and leading the team to maintain operational efficiencies and adherence to store safety policies and procedures and in resolving Guest issues.
• Oversee inventory management processes, including receiving, stocking, and inventory counts.
• Build and develop a high-performing team in partnership with the AWM that consistently delivers an exceptional Guest experience.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Customer focus

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s degree or higher in business, management, or related field

Tools

POS systems

Scheduling

HRIS

Time and attendance

Job description

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. in Louisville, KY seeks a Chief Workshop Manager (CWM) to ensure an exceptional Guest experience, lead a high‑performing team, and drive financial results in the Experience First culture.

You will coach AWMs, SLs, Bear Builders; oversee scheduling, payroll, inventory, and policy adherence; hire and promote teammates; and model leadership across shifts to deliver consistent brand standards.