Store Manager

Willow Tree Missions; Monticello (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Employee store discounts

Job summary

Willow Tree Missions in Illinois seeks a Thrift Store General Manager to lead multi-store operations, overseeing staff and volunteers while driving community engagement and revenue in line with our trauma-informed mission.

This role requires strategic leadership, inventory management, donor relations, and budgeting across locations, with a base salary of $52,000–$60,000 per year and a benefits package including paid time off and employee store discounts.

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to ending domestic violence and supporting survivors with trauma-informed dignity.
• At least three years of retail store management or assistant management experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, retail management, nonprofit leadership, or related field.
• Experience training staff and volunteers from foundational knowledge through advanced competency.

Responsibilities

• Oversee multiple thrift stores with consistent operations and brand standards.
• Manage donation intake, inventory flow, pricing, and floor rotation.
• Set pricing and merchandising strategies to sustain strong margins.
• Lead staff and volunteers; coordinate scheduling across sites.
• Develop community partnerships to increase donations and engagement.
• Monitor budgets, labor, overhead, and cash reconciliation; ensure safety.

Skills

Mission alignment

Retail management

Team leadership

Training ability

Cash handling

Retail math

Planning literacy

Discretion

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, retail management, nonprofit leadership, or related field

Tools

POS systems

Scheduling software

Tracking sheets

Digital communication tools

Job description

Thrift Store General Manager (Multi-Store Oversight)

Position Title: Thrift Store General Manager

Classification: Full-Time

Reports To: Executive Director

Position Summary

The Thrift Store General Manager provides strategic leadership and daily operational oversight for community-based thrift retail locations operated by a faith-based nonprofit. Net proceeds from the stores directly support the organization’s services for survivors of domestic violence and their families.

This role is ideal for a mission-focused leader who combines strong retail management with a trauma-informed approach. In partnership with the Executive Director, the General Manager independently leads team leads, staff, and volunteers while aligning store operations with mission priorities. The manager maintains welcoming, efficient, and respectful stores and builds community partnerships that increase donations, volunteer engagement, and consistency across locations.

Core Responsibilities

1. Multi-Store Leadership & Logistics

Multi-Site Oversight: Divide time strategically between locations to monitor performance, support staff, and maintain consistent operations and brand standards.

Community Ambassadorship: Build relationships with donors, estate coordinators, small businesses, and community groups to maintain a steady flow of clean, marketable donations.

Donation and Supply Chain Logistics: Manage donation intake, sorting, pricing, and floor rotation to keep inventory moving and reduce back-room bottlenecks.

Inventory Control and Merchandising: Set pricing and merchandising strategies that support strong margins, efficient floor use, seasonal relevance, and steady sales activity.

Local Marketing: Develop community-centered promotions, seasonal sales, and donation drives that engage residents and regional shoppers.

Budget Management: Review sales trends and maintain effective controls over labor, overhead, recycling, waste, and cash reconciliation.

Revenue Generation: Treat the stores as a key social enterprise and drive daily sales that support funding goals for domestic violence survivor services.

Data-Informed Evaluation: Use sales data and POS trends to guide promotions, improve floor layouts, and strengthen underperforming categories.

Staff Leadership: Hire, onboard, train, and manage retail staff; cross-train team members to support scheduling needs across both locations.

Volunteer Engagement: Build relationships with civic groups, faith communities, schools, and colleges to recruit, schedule, and recognize volunteers.

Workplace Culture: Foster a workplace grounded in empathy, safety, discretion, and confidentiality.

Performance Management: Set clear expectations, address performance concerns promptly, and maintain an inclusive environment for staff, volunteers, and shoppers.

4. Store Safety

Safety Protocols: Maintain safe retail practices across processing areas, loading zones, and the sales floor.

Asset Protection: Protect store facilities and donation areas from internal shrink and external property loss.

Self-Directed Leader: Takes ownership of store operations, anticipates needs, solves problems, and drives results with limited supervision.

Collaborative Partner: Works closely with the Executive Director and Director of Services and translates organizational vision and priorities into clear actionable store-level plans.

Positive Motivator: Inspires Team Leads, staff, and volunteers through supportive leadership and clear expectations and follow through.

Clear Communicator: Provides direct, concise guidance so staff and volunteers understand daily goals and expectations.

Mission-Focused and Empathetic: Balances revenue growth and operational improvement with deep sensitivity to the organization’s advocacy mission and the diverse team needs.

Disciplined Prioritization: Distinguishes urgent needs from important long-term priorities and allocates time and resources accordingly.

Initiative: Proactively identifies opportunities, addresses emerging needs, and moves solutions forward without waiting for direction.

Grant Data Support: Collects, organizes, and provides accurate operational and outcome data to support grant applications, reporting, and funding accountability.

Professional Development: Demonstrates a willingness to attend relevant conferences and participate in continuing education that strengthens leadership, retail operations, and mission effectiveness.

Base Salary Range: $52,000–$60,000 annually, based on experience and the scope of multi-store oversight.

Benefits Package: Paid time off and employee store discounts; health insurance is not offered.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications (Minimum)

Mission Alignment: Strong commitment to ending domestic violence and supporting survivors with trauma-informed dignity.

Experience: At least three years of retail store management or assistant management experience, including inventory rotation, cash handling, and team supervision.

Team Leadership: Experience leading, managing, organizing, or mentoring diverse teams, including community volunteers.

Training Literacy: Experience and ability to train staff and volunteers from foundational knowledge through advanced competency.

Financial Literacy: Proficiency in cash handling, retail math, register reconciliation, and profit-and-loss indicators.

Technical Literacy: Comfort using POS systems, staff scheduling software, multiple tracking sheets, and digital communication tools.

Planning Literacy: Strong time-management skills and the ability to plan store goals, seasonal rotations, and donation drives in advance.

Physical Expectations: Ability to stand for full shifts, navigate back-room processing areas, and lift 50 pounds regularly.

Scheduling: Monday – Friday with occasional Saturdays and holiday shifts.

Leadership Alignment: Ability to translate priorities established by executive leadership and the Board of Directors into clear, timely, and accountable action.

Discretion: Commitment to organizational confidentiality and protection of client identities.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, retail management, nonprofit leadership, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications (Highly Desired)

Thrift and Resale Experience: Direct management experience in a nonprofit thrift store, consignment boutique, retail shop, or high-volume manufacturing setting.

Multi-Store Management: Experience managing layout, scheduling, staffing, or logistics across multiple locations.

Central Illinois Community Ties: Familiarity with Central Illinois communities, volunteer networks, or civic groups.

Digital Commerce: Experience evaluating or selling high-value vintage goods, clothing, or collectibles through online sales channels.

Faith: Comfortable supporting and representing the organization’s faith-based mission.