Store Manager

Lids; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Lids is seeking a passionate Store Manager for their Des Plaines location, responsible for team leadership, customer service excellence, and operational efficiency. Ideal candidates will have strong sales and supervisory experience, ensuring a fun and inclusive environment for both staff and customers.

Qualifications

• Two years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work varying days and hours.

Responsibilities

• Manage the hiring strategy and onboarding of new team members.
• Lead and execute the customer service strategy.
• Manage store operations focusing on compliance and efficiency.

Skills

Sales experience

Supervisory skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Education

Two year post-secondary education

Job description

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About Our Company

Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores offer officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional sports teams, plus top brands like Nike, New Era, Adidas, and Mitchell & Ness.

About Our Company

Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores offer officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional sports teams, plus top brands like Nike, New Era, Adidas, and Mitchell & Ness.

We currently operate 1,200+ locations domestically and 50+ internationally, including specialty concept stores for the NBA, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, and numerous MLB teams. In recent years, Lids has built partnerships with iconic global brands including Marvel, Playboy, and the Harlem Globetrotters, and gained ambassadors like Justin Jefferson, Quavo, and Josephine Skriver – creating a community for both sports fans and fashion lovers.

The company is currently expanding with the goal of becoming the largest licensed brick-and-mortar sports retailer across the globe.

General Position Summary

At Lids, our Store Managers are the heart and soul of the Lids brand. These cap experts strive to foster the passion for sporting and fashion goods by meeting the needs of our customers while ensuring that all areas of the store are engaged. Store Managers are accountable for every aspect of the retail store performance inclusive of achieving key results, creating a fun and inclusive environment for their team, and delivering exceptional customer service by offering their expertise on Lids’ products and services.

Principle Duties And Responsibilities

People & Training Development

• Manage the store’s hiring strategy, including planning needs, recruitment strategy, projected turnover, and leaves of absence.
• Assist the market’s Authorized Trainer in coordinating onboarding to acclimate new team members to Lids.
• Engage team members by creating a fun and productive environment, including helping them understand how their work supports company objectives and the success of the store and Lids overall.
• Contribute to a respectful and inclusive team environment by establishing supportive working relationships and adhering to Lids Brand Standards (e.g. company dress code, etc.)
• Perform people-related actions to update team member information, including approving time off requests, approving shift swaps, updating availability, timecards, qualifications and other employee records as needed.
• Lead and monitor the store’s ongoing training strategy, including training for non-Keyholders, process changes, promotions or job changes, and new programs or initiatives.
• Address all employee concerns or issues, including knowing when to partner with internal support (e.g. Help Desk, HR, DSM, RD, etc.) to take appropriate action.
• Drive team engagement by ensuring team members are provided recognition and continuous check-ins, including performance management and documentation when relevant, to support and reinforce career and personal growth.
• Collaborate across store channels and/or districts using company Discussion Boards or district and regional chat platforms.
  
  
  

Customer Experience

• Lead and execute Selling 101 strategy to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs), sales target and deliver exceptional customer service.
• Resolve customer feedback and address issues in the moment, including customer escalations, urgent requests, and resolve to “make it right” for customers.
• Manage and direct in-store team members to ensure optimal customer service that values customers’ time and supports overall store operations.
• Ensure every customer is offered the opportunity to participate in Lids’ membership programs or special offers when live in-store through employee education.
  
  
  

Additional Principal Duties And Responsibilities

Operations

• Manage team’s compliance within the scheduling and payroll process to align with policies, procedures, budgets, and applicable law.
• Plan, prepare, and manage the schedule by considering team members’ qualifications, availability, and performance to maintain efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
• Manage business disruptions and provide operational continuity (e.g. store closures, employee absenteeism, schedule / wages, operating hours impact, etc.)
• Execute operations-focused company-level directives, promotions, and initiatives (e.g. from Lids HQ).
• Understand and adhere to Policies & Procedures Manual to maintain a safe work environment.
• Maintain store technology and equipment – MPOS, Lids Custom, etc. – by conducting daily audits, verifying continued functionality, facilitating updates and maintenance as instructed, or ordering repair as needed.
• Maintain store facilities, supplies, and services by executing service requests, assessing maintenance or repair needs, placing repair work orders, or replenishing store supplies.
• Effectively manage cash, including accurate opening and closing of the till, using counterfeit protection practices, and consistent bank drops.
• Effectively prepare store for inventory audits and support in performing them as needed to confirm inventory accuracy.
  
  
  

Product & Inventory Management

• Drive overall store product strategy, including supervision and oversite of receiving, processing, merchandising, and exiting through purchase or transfer.
• Strategically organize the backroom to maximize efficiency, including arranging product / supplies to optimize space and productivity.
• Ensure integrity of product held to vendor-specific regulations, including custom embroidery limitations, purchase amount limitations, or special release dates.
• Lead execution of weekly markdowns and markups as needed to ensure proper pricing.
• Monitor and manage sell-through by monitoring product levels and ensuring inventory accuracy.
• Manage any transfers or ship-backs (e.g. process damages) according to company standards.
• Execute optimal layout and visual merchandising (VM) or product presentation strategy, including managing window activations, hardware flips, mannequin flips, and seasonal or weekly merchandise changes.
• Maintain the look and feel of the store through day-to-day VM and store actions (e.g. ensuring product recovery, restock, destock, or minor VM changes.)
• Execute special pricing signage and promotional presentation adjustments during operating hours to align with overall product sell-through strategy.
  
  
  

Job Required Knowledge & Skills

• A two year post-secondary education and one-year related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Established ability to produce sales results while minimizing loss.
• Proven supervisory skills, with capacity to deliver training material and assess retention.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to operate a computer, as well as maneuver relative software programs.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb a ladder and work with hands overhead.
• Standing required for up to 100% of the work time.
• Ability and willingness to travel overnight for training and/or business meetings.
• Ability to work varying days and hours, based on business needs, and maintain an excellent attendance record.
  
  
  

Preferred Job Required Knowledge & Skills

Education

Reports To

District Sales Manager

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Sales and Business Development

• Industries

  Retail

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