Manager, Retail Operations

Job Description

This is more than a store management position-it's an opportunity to shape the future of retail at Allegheny College. As the leader of the College's retail enterprise, you will oversee the campus store, e-commerce operations, athletic venue sales, and mobile retail opportunities while developing strategies that make retail operations more efficient, improve overall business performance, increase sales and revenue, and strengthen engagement with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the greater community.
Working collaboratively with campus partners, you will create memorable experiences that build school pride, enhance the Allegheny brand, and support the College's mission through innovative merchandising, strategic partnerships, and exceptional customer service.


What You'll Do
Lead Strategic Growth and Operational Excellence

As the strategic leader for all retail operations, you will develop and execute a bold vision that drives revenue growth, profitability, customer engagement, and brand visibility.

• Lead all retail operations, including the campus store, online store, athletic venues, and mobile retail locations such as the TailGator Trailer.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive retail strategy focused on improving operational efficiency, increasing revenue, enhancing customer experiences, and strengthening engagement with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, optimize resources, and implement innovative solutions that support sustainable retail growth.
• Create data-driven plans to improve inventory performance, increase turnover, reduce shrinkage, and maximize operational effectiveness.
• Design compelling visual merchandising experiences that showcase the Allegheny brand and inspire customer loyalty.
• Develop pricing, budgeting, and purchasing strategies that support long-term financial success.
• Identify new revenue opportunities through special events, partnerships, and expanded sales channels.

Curate an Exciting Product Experience
You'll have the opportunity to shape what customers see, buy, and remember.

• Select and purchase merchandise across all retail channels.
• Build strong vendor relationships and negotiate contracts that maximize value.
• Analyze market trends, customer preferences, and emerging opportunities.
• Manage annual open-to-buy budgets and inventory investments.
• Ensure brand consistency and licensing compliance while delivering fresh, relevant merchandise selections.

Build a Dynamic Marketing Presence
Help tell the Allegheny story through creative marketing and customer engagement initiatives.

• Develop and execute comprehensive marketing campaigns across retail channels.
• Leverage customer insights and demographic data to drive sales and engagement.
• Maintain a strong social media presence that promotes merchandise, events, and campus pride.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to ensure brand excellence across all customer touchpoints.

Create Strategic Partnerships Across Campus
Success in this role means building relationships that strengthen the College community.

• Support major institutional events with strategic merchandising opportunities that enhance the Allegheny experience by partnering with Athletics, Student Life, Student Success, Conference & Event Services, and other departments to expand merchandise sales and event participation.
• Enhance the game-day and event experience for students, alumni, and fans.
• Explore new off-campus retail opportunities and community partnerships throughout Meadville and beyond.
• Serve as a campus ambassador for retail initiatives, helping departments leverage merchandise and branding opportunities.

Lead and Inspire a Team
You'll build a culture of service, innovation, and professional development.

• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and develop retail staff and student employees.
• Create meaningful student employment experiences that build transferable career skills.
• Foster a positive, customer-focused environment that encourages creativity and accountability.
• Develop staffing models that support operational excellence across multiple locations and events.
• Mentor team members and empower them to contribute ideas that enhance performance and customer satisfaction.

What We're Looking For Required Qualifications

• 4-7 years of retail management experience with demonstrated leadership success.
• Bachelor's degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and extensive retail leadership experience.

Knowledge & Experience

• Retail operations and merchandising
• Inventory management and purchasing
• Budget development and financial reporting
• Employee supervision and team development
• Marketing and customer engagement strategies

Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional leadership and relationship-building skills
• Strong organizational and project management abilities
• Data-driven decision-making and analytical thinking
• Creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial mindset
• Outstanding communication and customer service skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• Familiarity with social media platforms and digital engagement tools

About Us

Allegheny College, founded in 1815, is one of the nation's most historic and innovative four-year colleges with the distinct requirement of completing a major and minor in different academic areas. This multidisciplinary learning celebrates students' unusual combinations of interests and provides creative, independent thinkers with a path for educational depth and intellectual growth, preparing them for a successful launch after graduation and even for careers that may not yet exist. Located in western Pennsylvania, 1.5 hours equidistant from Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Buffalo, Allegheny College is one of 40 colleges featured in Loren Pope's "Colleges That Change Lives" and recently ranked #4 by The Princeton Review in its Top 20 Best Private Schools for Making an Impact. In its 2025 rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognized Allegheny College as one of the country's top 100 national liberal arts colleges, with special distinctions including one of the top 10 best for senior capstone experience and one of the top 25 best for undergraduate research and creative activities.

Allegheny's undergraduate residential education prepares students for successful, meaningful lives by promoting students' intellectual, moral, and social development and encouraging personal and civic responsibility. Allegheny's faculty and staff combine high academic standards and a commitment to the exchange of knowledge with a supportive approach to learning. Graduates are equipped to think critically and creatively, write clearly, speak persuasively, and meet challenges in a diverse, interconnected world. Allegheny College is deeply committed to creating an inclusive community that actively challenges racism, sexism, heterosexism, religious bigotry, and other forms of bias (see Allegheny College Statement of Community).

Allegheny College is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Allegheny does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, or national origin.

Allegheny College is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact the Director of Human Resources.

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