Retail Operations Leader — Drive Store Excellence

Academy Sports + Outdoors; Ocala (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Academy Sports + Outdoors is seeking an Operations Manager to lead the store experience, ensure sales, service and safety standards, and translate strategy into action on the shop floor. You will partner with store leaders to set priorities, coach teammates, and respond quickly to business needs, while mastering inventory flow, labor planning, and merchandising execution.

This role develops leadership capability through hands-on work, with opportunities to advance while maintaining a

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

• Lead store operations to deliver a strong store experience with leadership development.
• Support daily execution across departments to meet sales, service and safety standards.
• Translate strategy into action on the shop floor.
• Plan priorities with store leaders and respond quickly to business needs.
• Learn processes such as inventory flow, labor planning, and merchandising execution.
• Influence results and prepare for broader leadership through exposure and development.

Skills

Leadership

Retail Operations

Customer Service

Workforce Management

Driving Results

Education

Bachelor's degree related field

Tools

Inventory systems

Order processing

Payroll systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Academy Sports + Outdoors is seeking an Operations Manager to lead the store experience, ensure sales, service and safety standards, and translate strategy into action on the shop floor. You will partner with store leaders to set priorities, coach teammates, and respond quickly to business needs, while mastering inventory flow, labor planning, and merchandising execution.

This role develops leadership capability through hands-on work, with opportunities to advance while maintaining a