Retail Manager, Apparel and Gifts - Urbana, United States - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Verified Company
Urbana, United States

3 weeks ago

Mark Lane

Posted by:

Mark Lane

beBee recruiter
Description

Retail Manager, Apparel and Gifts - Illini Union Bookstore:


Illini Union:


Applications are now being accepted for the Retail Manager, Apparel and Gifts - Illini Union Bookstore position for Illini Union at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.


As the community center of the University, the Illini Union draws together all members of the University with approximately 16,000 visits of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests on a daily basis.

We are seeking individuals with diverse backgrounds who can help create and foster communities that strive toward this vision.

This includes supporting the academic mission of the University by developing environments conducive to student learning and academic success, respecting, appreciating, and advocating for the diversity of our student population, and supporting the holistic development of all our students.

Job Summary


Responsible for developing merchandising strategies, managing inventory, overseeing team development, determining pricing strategies, and handling vendor relations, aimed at enhancing store standards and operational efficiency in a customer-centric environment through creativity, analytical prowess and leadership.


  • Duties & Responsibilities
  • Merchandising Execution and

Store Standards:

Design and implement effective merchandising strategies to boost sales and enhance customer engagement, ensuring the store maintains high standards of cleanliness and organization.

Conduct regular assessments for presentation optimization and inventory management.

  • Team Leadership, Development, and

Customer Service Excellence:

Lead the recruitment, training, and mentoring of department supervisors and student employees, focusing on excellence in merchandising, presentation, and customer service.

Demonstrate exceptional customer service, coaching your team to excel in customer interactions, and instilling a culture that prioritizes the customer experience.


  • Inventory Management: Utilize sales reports, inventory data, and turnover metrics to manage inventory levels strategically, adjusting product offerings to maximize sales while ensuring optimal stock levels.
  • Purchasing and

Pricing Strategy:
Partner with the procurement team on purchasing decisions, selecting quality merchandise in appropriate quantities. Determine retail pricing and maintain profitable gross margins in alignment with financial goals.

  • Sales Promotion and

Markdown Strategy:

Devise and execute a dynamic strategy for sales promotion and markdowns to stimulate product interest and manage inventory lifecycle efficiently.

Collaborate with marketing teams to create compelling campaigns that drive demand and optimize sales opportunities.

  • Fiscal Prudence and

Vendor Relations:

Manage fiscal expenditures and maintain comprehensive records for all purchases, ensuring cost-effectiveness and accountability in vendor relationships and purchasing decisions.

Address ordering or billing disputes with vendors, managing special orders to maintain operational efficiency and financial integrity.

  • Operational Support: Assist in daily operational tasks, including managing registers, and overseeing store opening and closing procedures. Perform additional responsibilities as needed to support the bookstore's success.
Additional Physical Demands

  • Minimum Qualifications
  • Associate degree in any field or concentration including general studies.
  • Two (2) years (24 months) of experience in a retail environment
  • One (1) year (12 months) of supervisory experience in a retail environment.
Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in visual merchandising, highlighting the ability to create appealing and effective product displays that enhance customer engagement and sales.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Proficient in administrative and supervisory roles, effective leadership and organizational skills.
  • Indepth understanding of retail supply chain dynamics, including seasonal cycles.
  • Solid business acumen, with expertise in pricing, discounts, and inventory management.
  • Strong product knowledge to inform smart purchasing decisions.
  • Collaborative skills to work effectively with the procurement team.
  • Competent in computer use, familiarity with inventory management or POS systems.

Appointment Information:

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service Retail Manager position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 5/3/2024. Salary is commensurate with experience, with the minimum being $45,630 per year. The usual work days for this position are Tuesday through Saturday, with additional days/hours required for operational needs.

Work for this position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy.

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.


Application Procedures & Deadline Information:

The University of Illi
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