Product Operations Lead | Chicago

Lululemon Athletica; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); On-site; USD 31,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan matching

Employee discount

Fitness & yoga classes

Parenthood top-up

Development courses

Mentorship programs

Job summary

lululemon is seeking a Product Operations Lead to join the store leadership team in Chicago. The role focuses on executing the store product strategy, managing inventory shifts, and overseeing all back-of-house product operations to keep floor and BOH well-stocked and organized.

You will contribute to performance reviews, hiring recommendations, and act as Supervisor on Duty while ensuring a world-class guest experience when on the floor.

Qualifications

• 1 year of work experience in retail or operations.
• Experience with inventory management, merchandising, stocking, or planning and logistics using business technology.
• Experience in leading, mentoring, delegating or implementing processes with others.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with store leadership to implement product strategy.
• Plan, manage, and lead inventory processing and accuracy per SOPs.
• Oversee product actions such as pull backs, consolidations, and repricing.
• Engage team members to create a productive inventory shift environment.
• Monitor product levels and inform sell-through strategy for guests.
• Analyze daily data to advise leadership on product focus or pricing for outlets.
• Participate in hiring processes, including selection and onboarding.
• Provide feedback and coaching to team members for learning and development.
• Foster an inclusive team environment and supportive relations.
• As Supervisor on Duty, lead from the floor to deliver on-floor product education.

Skills

Inventory management

Store operations

Leadership

Guest experience

Data analysis

Hiring support

Education

High school diploma/GED

Job description

lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.

Job Summary

The Product Operations Lead is a part of the store leadership team responsible for executing on the store product strategy, including product operations and inventory management. They are responsible for leading inventory shifts, overseeing all back of house (BOH) product operations, and ensuring both the floor and BOH are stocked and well-organized. The Product Operations Lead provides input to team member performance evaluations, recommendations into store hiring decisions, and acts as Supervisor on Duty (SOD) while leading inventory shifts. The Product Operations Lead also oversees and delivers a world‑class guest (i.e., customer) experience when scheduled to work on the floor.

Core Responsibilities of the Job

• Collaborate with store leadership to bring product strategy to life.
• Proactively plan, prioritize, manage, and lead inventory processing and accuracy activities in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure execution of product actions (e.g., pull backs, consolidations, repricing).
• Engage team members in inventory management by creating a fun and productive atmosphere for the shift.
• Monitor product levels and communicate findings to support sell-through strategy and optimal product availability for the guest.
• Review and interpret daily business data and metrics to inform actions, for example analyzing product sell-through data to provide recommendations to store leadership regarding product focus or, for outlets, pricing.
• Participate in the store’s hiring process, including recruitment, selection and hiring recommendations, onboarding, and training.
• Address team member performance and support their ongoing learning and development by providing direct feedback and in‑the‑moment recognition, coaching, demonstrations, and hands‑on experiences.
• Contribute to a respectful and inclusive team environment by establishing supportive working relationships with team members.
• When serving as Supervisor on Duty during store open hours, move dynamically and lead from the floor to ensure every guest receives technical product education and establish a world‑class guest experience.

Job Requirements

• Must be legally authorized to work in the country in which the store is located
• Must have the ability to travel to assigned store with reliable transportation methods

Schedule/Availability

• The work schedule can vary based on store needs
• Shifts are typically scheduled: mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays
• In addition, during peak timeframes, special events, or other circumstances, the schedule may include early mornings or late nights/overnights for some team members

Experience

• 1 year of work experience
• Some experience with inventory management, product or visual merchandising, stocking, or planning and logistics including using business technology to accomplish work
• Some experience in leading, mentoring, delegating or process implementation with others

Job Assets (i.e., nice to have; not required)

• Education: High school diploma/GED/equivalent, or above
• Experience (not necessarily the only focus of a role): retail, sales, distribution center, or warehouse operations related; reviewing and interpreting business reports and metrics to inform action
• For Experiential stores with food/beverage service only: Food safety and/or liquor service certification

What We Look For

• Inclusion & Diversity:Creates/supports an inclusive environment that values/celebrates differences
• Integrity: Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner
• Adaptability/Agility: Navigates uncertainty and ambiguity and can change priorities in a fast‑paced environment; recovers quickly from setbacks
• Leadership: Is able and desires to lead and inspire others; motivates, empowers, develops, and directs people as they work
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Works productively with and supports others to achieve common goals; seeks connections, partnerships, and diverse perspectives
• Decision Making/Problem Solving: Identifies opportunities for improvement; evaluates alternatives and makes effective, timely decisions
• Planning and Organizing:Plans and organizes work in a clear and efficient manner to ensure completion in alignment with priorities
• Interactive Communication: Conveys information effectively and understands information shared while interacting with others

Work Context (e.g., environment, interactions, physical)

• Work involves moving through the store, sometimes in the front of the house with bright lights and loud music, and sometimes in the back of the house with no windows or natural light
• Work is accomplished as part of a team, sometimes independently, and sometimes using a computer or other technical devices
• Work may occasionally involve moving boxes weighing up to 30 lbs (13.6 kg) or using ladders to reach materials
• For Experiential stores with food/beverage service only: Work may involve using industrial kitchen equipment and exposure to heat in order to prepare food or beverages

Compensation & Benefits Package

Base Pay Range: $22.50 - $25.89/hour, subject to minimum wage in the location Target Bonus:$2.00/hour Total Target Base Pay Range: $24.50 - $27.89/hour

lululemon’s compensation offerings are grounded in a pay-for-performance philosophy that recognizes exceptional individual and team performance. The base pay offered is based on market location and may vary depending on job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity. As part of our offerings, employees in this position are eligible for our competitive bonus program, subject to program eligibility requirements.

• Extended health and dental benefits, and mental health plans
• Paid time off
• Savings and retirement plan matching
• Generous employee discount
• Fitness & yoga classes
• Parenthood top-up
• Extensive catalog of development course offerings
• People networks, mentorship programs, and leadership series (to name a few)

Note: The incentive programs, benefits, and perks have certain eligibility requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter these incentive programs, benefits, and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

Lululemon is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on race, color, creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state or provincial and local laws and ordinances. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request. This Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies to all practices relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, discipline, transfer, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. While management is primarily responsible for seeing that Lululemon equal employment opportunity policies are implemented, you share in the responsibility for assuring that, by your personal actions, the policies are effective.

lululemon is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you would like someone from our team to contact you for individualized support, email us [e-mail] . In your email, please include the position title, the location of the position and the nature of your request.