Retail Store Team Lead

Horizon Hobby; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

HSA and FSA options

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance and Supplemental Life

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Discounts on Products

Internal Rewards

Additional Insurance coverage

Job summary

Horizon Hobby in Champaign, Illinois is hiring an Experience Center Team Lead to create memorable RC experiences for customers. The role focuses on demonstrations, coaching, and maintaining dynamic product displays in a new Retail Store & Experience Center.

The position is on-site with a flexible 20–40 hour work week, including weekends. Typical pay ranges from $20 to $22 per hour, determined by experience and qualifications.

Qualifications

• Customer service in retail, hospitality, entertainment, or supervisory roles.
• Experience handling cash and following opening/closing procedures.
• Comfort with learning and demonstrating RC products and simulators.

Responsibilities

• Create an engaging, welcoming environment for RC enthusiasts and customers.
• Encourage hands-on experiences through demonstrations and workshops.
• Demonstrate RC products to first-time users and coach team members.
• Maintain merchandising standards and replenish stock as needed.
• Lead opening and closing duties and ensure safe event areas.

Skills

Customer service

People leadership

Cash handling

POS operation

Product demonstrations

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

POS system

Store technology

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 individuals to join our team at our new Retail Store & Experience Center in Champaign Illinois as team leads!

This is an on-site position in Champaign Illinois. The store will be open seven days a week, generally from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with shorter weekend hours. A standard work schedule will consist of working 20-40 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 $20-$22 an hour. The final offer for this position will be based on the unique experience and qualifications of the candidate selected.

The Experience Center Team Lead (ECTL) is a key contributor to the store's mission of creating exceptional RC experiences. They capture customer feedback and observations that help shape future programs, merchandising strategies, factory tours, and customer experiences across Horizon Hobby. Unlike a traditional retail sales lead, the ECTL helps create an environment where customers can see, touch, try, learn, and experience RC firsthand. They will be comfortable introducing a first-time customer to the hobby, demonstrating RC products, coaching team members, maintaining engaging product displays, and ensuring store operations run smoothly. Through every interaction, they help create memorable experiences that inspire customers to explore the hobby and return for more.

Key Responsibilities

• Create an engaging and welcoming environment for RC enthusiasts, families, first-time customers, and experienced hobbyists.
• Encourage customers to interact with the hobby through demonstrations, simulators, workshops, and other hands-on experiences.
• Help teach first-time users basic RC operation and create excitement for upcoming activities by encouraging customers to return and participate.
• Maintain Horizon's merchandising and presentation standards throughout the store.
• Ensure merchandise is properly located, faced, organized and replenished.
• Perform designated opening and closing leadership responsibilities.
• Help prepare event areas by explaining the rules, engaging participants and maintaining a safe environment.
• Stay current on new products, promotions, featured items, demonstrations, and Experience Center activities.
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of the position.

Team Leads are responsible for creating an engaging and exciting RC experience for every customer. They will ensure team members understand their priorities, receive ongoing coaching, and are equipped to deliver exceptional experiences. They will encourage active use of tracks and hands-on experiences, uphold merchandising and operational standards, and ensure events are organized, energetic, and well-executed. They will proactively identify and solve problems while ensuring that every person who enters the Experience Center leaves with a personalized experience, the confidence to enjoy the hobby, and a desire to learn more.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Previous customer service in retail, hospitality, entertainment, or supervisor experience is required.
• Previous cash handling, opening & closing store procedures and general retail store operations is required.
• Must be comfortable learning and demonstrating RC products and simulators.
• Must be able to operate a POS and other store technology.
• Previous RC hobby experience is preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Occasional lifting of office supplies and materials, up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working on a computer.
• Ability to bend, reach, squat, and lift or carry products periodically

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