Operations Manager

Full-Time | Leadership Position

Pop’s Midtown is looking for an experienced, hands-on Operations Manager to join our leadership team.

This is a key role for us - we're looking for more than someone who can simply “manage a store.”

We're looking for a strong people leader and natural problem-solver who can work alongside ownership to turn priorities into action, keep our team moving in the same direction, and make sure the day-to-day operation runs the way it should.

Pop’s is a locally owned, highly seasonal retail business. Throughout the year, our business changes dramatically - from Mardi Gras to the garden center, major events and our pumpkin patch to Christmas. Some weeks are relatively predictable. Others are fast, crowded and constantly changing.

The right person will enjoy that.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach and hold team members accountable
• Make sure employees understand expectations and daily priorities
• Delegate effectively and follow through to ensure work gets completed
• Help create a positive, productive workplace where strong employees thrive
• Address performance or personnel issues promptly rather than allowing problems to linger
• Help train and develop Shift Leaders/Key Holders and seasonal staff

Daily Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of Pop’s Midtown
• Turn ownership's priorities into clear plans for the team
• Make sure the right people are in the right places, particularly during high-volume periods
• Coordinate opening, closing, staffing, receiving, stocking, merchandising and operational projects
• Identify problems, bottlenecks and unfinished work — and take ownership of getting them resolved
• Maintain the highest standards for organization, presentation and customer experience

Planning & Execution

• Help prepare the store and team for seasonal transitions, major events, promotions and high-volume weeks
• Manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
• Anticipate operational needs instead of waiting for problems to occur
• Communicate clearly with ownership about priorities, progress, staffing concerns and operational issues
• Develop and improve systems and processes as the business grows

Customer Experience

• Support the sales floor when leadership is needed
• Resolve escalated customer issues calmly and appropriately
• Be willing to jump in wherever necessary during exceptionally busy periods — including a register — while understanding that cashiering is not the primary function of this position
  

You may be a great fit if you:

• Have meaningful experience leading and managing a team
• Are comfortable giving direction and holding people accountable
• Are highly organized but can adapt quickly when the plan changes
• Naturally notice what needs to be done without waiting to be told
• Have a brain that likes to solve problems
• Can prioritize when five things need attention at once
• Communicate clearly, directly and respectfully
• Have strong judgment and don't need ownership to make every decision for you
• Enjoy building better systems rather than working around broken ones
• Are comfortable in a hands-on environment and aren't afraid to jump in when needed
• Want to help grow a locally owned business 

Retail management experience is helpful, but it is not required . Strong candidates may come from retail, hospitality, restaurants, events, attractions, service businesses or other fast-paced team environments.

Within your first several months, you understand how Pop’s operates, have earned the trust of the team and are confidently managing day-to-day execution.

Longer term, ownership should be able to set the direction and trust you to help make it happen.

Starting salary: $52,000 , depending on experience

Target salary: $58,000–$65,000 , depending on experience and demonstrated leadership ability.

Full-time position with scheduling that reflects the seasonal nature of our business. Availability during key seasonal periods, major events and high-volume weekends is an important part of the role.

Please submit your resume along with brief answers to the following:

1. What is the largest team you have directly managed, and what were you responsible for?
2. Tell us about a time you walked into an operation, department or project that wasn't running well. What did you change?
3. What does holding an employee accountable look like to you?
4. Tell us about a time you had several urgent problems competing for your attention. How did you decide what came first?
5. Why does working for a growing, locally owned and highly seasonal business interest you?