Winter/Water/Camping/Athletic Dept. Manager

JotForm Inc; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Safe Harbor 401(k) Match Program

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Fun, team-focused outdoor retail environment

Job summary

A leading outdoor retail company in Missoula is seeking a motivated Winter/Water/Camping & Athletic Department Manager. This position involves overseeing multiple departments, coaching staff, and ensuring exceptional customer service. The ideal candidate possesses retail management experience, a passion for outdoor activities, and excellent leadership and communication skills. Responsibilities include managing personnel, analyzing sales trends, and maintaining store presentation. This role requires open availability and the ability to lift weights as needed.

Qualifications

• Previous retail management or supervisory experience in outdoor or sporting goods.
• Extensive experience in team sports and outdoor recreation.
• Open availability for evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Strong merchandising, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate department staff to achieve sales and service goals.
• Maintain strong sales floor presence and exceptional customer engagement.
• Manage scheduling and performance feedback for staff.
• Coach and develop team members' skills through training.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Communication

Team motivation

Outdoor sports knowledge

Problem-solving

Job description

Winter/Water/Camping & Athletic Dept. Manager

Bob Ward's Sports & Outdoors | Missoula, MT

We are seeking a motivated, experienced, and proactive leader to join our Missoula store as a Winter/Water/Camping & Athletics Department Manager. In this role, you will oversee the winter, water, camping, climbing, and athletic departments, ensuring your team delivers outstanding customer service, meets sales goals, and maintains the highest standards of department performance.

As an active, visible leader, you will spend the majority of your time on the sales floor motivating, coaching, and directing staff. You will foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and outdoor expertise while ensuring the highest levels of customer satisfaction are achieved. This position reports directly to the Store Manager.

We sell gear for everything from hitting the slopes and wake surfing to tubing behind a boat, camping under the stars, playing your favorite team sport, or reaching the top of a climb. We’re looking for someone with a broad range of outdoor and athletic experience who can confidently lead multiple departments and inspire both staff and customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and motivate department staff to achieve sales, service, and operational goals.
• Maintain a strong sales floor presence and deliver exceptional customer engagement.
• Manage scheduling, daily direction, and performance feedback.
• Coach and develop team and individual skills through training and engagement.
• Build and maintain customer relationships with expert product knowledge in winter sports, water sports, and camping.
• Oversee merchandising, visual presentation, signage, and promotional setups.
• Prepare for events and promotions, ensuring organized and accurate displays.
• Analyze sales trends and collaborate with management to optimize inventory, product selection, and promotions.
• Perform store opening and closing duties as needed.
• Assist other departments and complete additional tasks as assigned.
• Maintain high standards of organization, cleanliness, and product knowledge.
• Stay current on outdoor trends, technology, and merchandise

Qualifications

Required

• Previous retail management or supervisory experience, preferably in outdoor, sporting goods, or specialty retail.
• Extensive experience and passion for team sports, outdoor recreation, and athletic activities (winter sports, water sports, camping, etc.).
• Open availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and customer service skills.
• Ability to coach, motivate, and develop team members.
• Strong merchandising, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Confident approaching customers, initiating conversation, and providing expert guidance.
• Ability to remain objective and calm in stressful situations, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.
• Well‑developed decision‑making, time management, and creative problem‑solving skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail and ability to accurately follow instructions.
• Proactive work ethic with a team‑oriented mindset.
• Ability to lift 25+ lbs as needed.
• Passion for outdoor activities and knowledge of the latest trends and technologies in sports and recreation.

Helpful

• Snowboard experience
• Wakesurf experience
• Camping/climbing and backpacking experience
• Team Sports Experience
• Familiarity with tents, sleeping systems, stoves, and other camping gear
• Knowledge of outdoor recreation and seasonal gear trends
• Safe Harbor 401(k) Match Program
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Fun, team‑focused outdoor retail environment

For questions or more details contact Trevor Mills at [e-mail]