General Store Manager

Experience Champaign Urbana; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts on Products

401(k) with a company match

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Medical, Dental, Vision

HSA and FSA options

Life Insurance

Job summary

Horizon Hobby in Champaign, Illinois, is seeking a General Store Manager to lead our first owned-and-operated retail pilot store. You will drive store performance, oversee merchandising, inventory, and daily operations, and build a welcoming community around Horizon Hobby products.

This full-time, on-site role requires 40–45 hours per week with weekends, and a base pay range of $55,000–$65,000, potentially with a bonus based on experience.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of retail experience including merchandising, inventory and store operations.
• 3+ years of experience leading and developing teams.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills that build trust with partners and team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop employees into hobby experts rather than simply retail associates.
• Create a memorable customer experience - education, troubleshooting, recommendations, demonstrations, and technical support.
• Experiential Retail - operate the Experience Center showcasing Horizon Hobby products.
• Events & Programming – maintain a detailed active event calendar.
• Community Development – build relationships with local hobby enthusiasts and partners.
• Merchandising & Brand Representation – own the physical presentation of Horizon Hobby brands.
• Inventory Management - oversee receiving, replenishment, audits and stock controls.
• Store Operations – establish a clear routine for consistent store performance.
• Product Knowledge & Technical Capability - ensure team maintains sufficient product knowledge.

Skills

Leadership

Team leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

People management

Merchandising

Inventory management

Store operations

Customer service

Job description

At Horizon Hobby, we inspire dreams and help build memories! Our company is the leader in the global Radio Control industry, celebrating 40 years in 2025! We offer tremendous opportunities for growth and development and a full array of benefits including discounts on our products! We are currently hiring for a General Store Manager!

This is a full-time, on-site position in Champaign Illinois. The store will be open seven days a week, generally from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with shorter weekend hours A standard work schedule will consist of working 40-45 hours a week with weekends required. A permanent schedule will be determined after hire based on store needs and staffing requirements.

Typical pay for this position is $55,000-$65,000. The final offer for this position will be based on the unique experience and qualifications of the candidate selected. This position may also be eligible for a bonus not included in the base pay range.

Horizon Hobby is looking for a dynamic, energetic enthusiast to lead the overall performance of their first owned-and-operated retail pilot store! We are looking for someone to help us strengthen our retail partnerships while offering an experience center for our customers and their guests. The idea of this store is to continue to help turn visitors into hobbyists, and hobbyists into a community.

This role will not only lead the team, but maintain merchandising & inventory, manage operating standards and guide performance all while building an active local hobby community through events, demonstrations, technical assistance and other customer experiences.

This stores success will be driven through effective merchandising, impactful store programs and a memorable brand experience that engages customers not only instore but across our widespread team of retail partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Development – develop employees into hobby experts rather than simply retail associates
• Create a memorable customer experience - hobby retail differs from many other retail environments because customers frequently require education, troubleshooting, recommendations, demonstrations, and technical support.
• Experiential Retail - The Experience Center will allow customers to see, touch, drive, race, crawl, fly, learn, compete, and socialize around Horizon Hobby products.
• Events & Programming – maintain a clear and detailed active event calendar rather than relying exclusively on normal retail traffic.
• Community Development – Have the desire to build relationships outside the four walls of the store. The Horizon Hobby retail store is the first of its kind and will be the main testing center for us to help support our retail partners.
• Merchandising & Brand Representation – Positively own the physical presentation of the Horizon Hobby brands
• Inventory Management -receiving, replenishment, cycle counting, backroom organization, damaged products, returns, shrink prevention, stock adjustments, and inventory audits.
• Store Operations – establish and put into place a clear routine so the store operates consistently
• Product Knowledge & Technical Capability - The Store Manager doesn't necessarily need to be the most technically advanced hobbyist in the building, but they must ensure the team has sufficient expertise.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of retail experience including merchandising, inventory and store operations
• 3+ years of experience leading and developing teams
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills that build trust with partners and team members
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where priorities shift and no two days look the same
• A proven track record of energizing teams, driving engagement, and getting the best out of the people you lead

Preferred

• Experience in the RC, hobby products, powersports, automotive aftermarket, consumer products, or related industries
• Experience working directly with enthusiast communities, racers, influencers, or brand ambassadors
• Solid grasp of customer service best practices and emerging trends, with an eye toward what's next

Physical Requirements

• Occasional lifting of supplies and materials, up to 20 pounds
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working on a computer
• Occasional travel may be required for local and domestic events

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Benefits & Other Perks

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• HSA and FSA options
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance and Supplemental Life Insurance
• 401(k) with a company match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Internal Rewards
• Discounts on Products
• Additional Coverage such as accident, critical, hospital and pet insurance

Horizon Hobby is a progressive, innovative company and, as such, is constantly reevaluating and reinventing the processes and procedures associated with each job. The essential duties and responsibilities of this position may change at any time. In addition, employees may be asked to work on special projects or to assist with other work necessary or important to the operation of Horizon. Your cooperation and assistance in performing such additional work is expected and appreciated.

Horizon Hobby, LLC is an equal opportunity and E-Verify employer