Full Time Shift Lead

About Princeton University Store

Princeton University Store is an independent omnichannel retailer serving the Princeton University community through two stores, ecommerce, campus events, and pop-up retail.

Why This Role Matters

The Sales Lead is a key member of the store leadership team and is responsible for helping manage the daily business. As the senior leader during assigned shifts, this position takes ownership of team performance, sales results, customer experience, operating standards, cash controls, safety, and asset protection. This role requires visible leadership, strong business judgment, and the ability to make decisions independently. The Sales Lead works closely with the General Manager, Stores to execute business priorities, address operational challenges, develop associates, and ensure the store consistently meets performance expectations.

What Success Looks Like

• Sales goals and key business priorities are clearly communicated and actively managed.
• Customers consistently receive welcoming, knowledgeable, and professional service.
• Associates understand expectations, remain engaged, and are held accountable for results.
• Staffing and responsibilities are adjusted effectively based on customer traffic and business needs.
• Cash handling, inventory, loss prevention, safety, and other operating controls are completed accurately.
• The store remains organized, replenished, clean, and ready to serve customers.
• Leadership receives clear communication regarding performance, staffing, incidents, and business needs.

What You Do

• Serve as the Manager on Duty and take ownership of the store's performance during assigned shifts.
• Set priorities, direct daily workflow, deploy associates, and adjust coverage as business needs change.
• Drive sales by monitoring performance, identifying opportunities, and coaching the team on customer engagement and selling behaviors.
• Lead, motivate, and develop associates through clear expectations, real-time feedback, recognition, and accountability.
• Support the General Manager, Stores in executing business plans, operational priorities, and company initiatives.
• Resolve customer concerns and make appropriate service, staffing, safety, and operational decisions.
• Maintain strong standards for merchandising, replenishment, recovery, cleanliness, and product presentation.
• Complete and enforce cash-handling, deposit, refund, inventory, loss prevention, security, and building procedures.
• Respond calmly and effectively to urgent, sensitive, or unexpected situations.
• Document and communicate results, incidents, staffing concerns, and outstanding business needs to store leadership.
• Help create a professional, inclusive, productive, and results-focused work environment.

What You Bring

• Three or more years of retail experience, including supervisory or management responsibility.
• Experience serving as Manager on Duty or independently leading a retail operation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead employees, manage competing priorities, and maintain accountability.
• Strong customer-service, coaching, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience driving sales and managing cash handling, replenishment, inventory, merchandising, and store operations.
• Sound judgment and confidence when making decisions in urgent or ambiguous situations.
• Dependable attendance and the ability to work independently.
• Ability to remain mobile throughout the store and regularly lift or move merchandise weighing up to 40 pounds.

Why You Will Enjoy This Role

• Take meaningful ownership of a highly visible university retail location.
• Play an important role in leading the team and running the daily business.
• Develop associates while directly influencing sales, operations, and customer experience.
• Build broader retail-management experience through hands-on leadership and decision-making.
• Work closely with senior store leadership to improve performance and support continued business growth.

Reports To: General Manager, Stores
Supervises: Sales associates during assigned shifts
Employment Type: Full-time, hourly
Schedule: Varied schedule based on business needs, including weekends, holidays, and peak university periods
Work Location: 36 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540