Store Manager

Hot Topic; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 31,684 - 39,606; Full time

Job summary

Hot Topic is seeking a Store Manager in Columbia, Maryland, to enhance the in-store experience and achieve sales targets. The ideal candidate will have retail management experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to adapt to a dynamic retail environment.

This role involves recruiting and developing a passionate team while ensuring operational efficiency and delivering excellent customer service.

The role offers a competitive pay range of $23 to $28.75 an hour, depending on experience and qualifications.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of retail store management experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively and lead a team.
• Capability to adapt to the fast-changing retail industry.

Responsibilities

• Ensure store achieves sales goals.
• Recruit and develop a collaborative team.
• Lead operational and customer-first selling practices.

Skills

Retail management experience

Strong communication skills

Operations skills

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or GED equivalent

Preferred degree

Job description

At Hot Topic, we’re passionate about music, pop culture, and creating the most amazing in‑store experience for our customers and employees. We’re looking for a Store Manager to lead the team in achieving sales targets, recruiting, developing talent, and delivering excellent customer service.

What You’ll Do

• Ensure that your store achieves the sales plan and/or comp sales goals.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a collaborative and passionate team to run the store alongside you.
• Create buzz and customer engagement through social media, store web applications, and clienteling.
• Lead an operationally sound business, balancing organizational structure, delegation, autonomy, and customer‑first selling practices.
• Monitor shrink/loss prevention, payroll hours, schedules, and external factors that affect business.
• Collaboratively communicate with retail leadership and HQ partners on trends and customer feedback.
• Run sales reports and use data to guide strategy to hit sales targets.
• Adapt to new technologies, communicate company policies, and control supply ownership.
• Merchandise the store compellingly, leveraging planograms and launch all promotions on time.
• Build a bench of talented staff through mentorship, recognition, and feedback.

What You’ll Need

• At least 1–2 years of retail store management experience.
• A high school diploma or GED equivalent; a degree is preferred.
• Strong communication, recruiting, and operations skills (payroll, reporting, scheduling, merchandising).
• A willingness to adapt to the fast‑changing retail industry.
• Open‑mindedness and curiosity about pop culture fandoms and music trends.
• Physical ability to navigate the store, merchandise products, and handle merchandise up to 50 lbs.

$23 – $28.75 an hour. The pay range may vary based on education, location, meeting the minimum job requirements, training and experience.