Retail Operations Leader

Academy Sports + Outdoors; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Academy Sports + Outdoors is seeking an Operations Manager to lead store operations, develop leadership capabilities, and drive performance across departments. The role focuses on delivering a strong store experience, coaching team members, and translating strategy into action on the sales floor.

You will partner with store leadership to plan priorities, manage inventory flow and scheduling, ensure safety and sales targets, and prepare for broader leadership responsibilities through hands-on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant leadership or management experience required
• Demonstrated success leading departments of up to 40 team members while driving operational excellence and achieving sales targets
• Strong leadership and coaching skills with the ability to develop people
• Solid business acumen with the ability to interpret operational and financial data
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with inventory systems, order processing, payroll systems, and Microsoft Office
• Sound judgment and decision‑making skills in a fast‑paced environment
• Ability to complete and maintain required certifications, including Firearms Sales and Power Industrial Truck
• Comfortably manage and audit firearm sales, ensuring all transactions meet federal and state requirements through accurate completion of ATF Form 4473, background check verification, and final approval
• A team-first attitude; while your core duties are your priority, you're happy to step in wherever you're needed

Responsibilities

• hands-on role in delivering a strong store experience while building leadership capability and operational excellence
• support daily execution across departments, ensuring sales, service, and safety standards are consistently met
• translate strategy into action on the sales floor
• partner with store leaders to plan priorities, coach team members, and respond quickly to business needs
• learn key processes such as inventory flow, labor planning, and merchandising execution, strengthening ability to influence results
• prepare for broader leadership responsibility through exposure and development

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Communication

Business Acumen

Team Management

Problem Solving

People Development

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Payroll systems

Inventory systems

Order processing

Job description

Academy Sports + Outdoors is seeking an Operations Manager to lead store operations, develop leadership capabilities, and drive performance across departments. The role focuses on delivering a strong store experience, coaching team members, and translating strategy into action on the sales floor.

You will partner with store leadership to plan priorities, manage inventory flow and scheduling, ensure safety and sales targets, and prepare for broader leadership responsibilities through hands-on