Operations Manager

Experience a place of energy, passion, and excitement. A place where the joy of discovery and uncommon artistry blend to create exhilarating buying experiences—for true beauty enthusiasts. At Ulta Beauty, we’re transforming the world one shade, one lash, one cut at a time. Because beauty is powerful. If you seek greater purpose—a place of vision, mission, and lived values—where voices are heard, contributions valued and recognized, and growth opportunities abound, consider Ulta Beauty. Nowhere else are the possibilities quite this beautiful.

About the Role

The Operations Manager (OM) is responsible for leading through Ulta Beauty’s mission, vision, and values to develop a high-performing team that consistently delivers top-line sales growth for the store. The OM leads a team of Task Associates and the Merchandise Manager (MM), supporting the management of retail store operations, including realignments, planograms, and inventory life-cycle processes (e.g., cycle counts, damages, testers, Return To Vendors (RTV), Destroy in Field (DIF), and inventory adjustments). This leader drives the store’s retail business through a focus on performance (sales, inventory results, and operational compliance), people (talent acquisition, training, and development), and process (standard operating procedures and compliance standards). The role requires a passion for operational excellence, a drive for results, and the ability to lead through unforeseen complexity while developing and influencing their team.

Responsibilities

• Performance:
  • Promote a culture of accountability to meet or exceed store goals related to retail and service sales, guest loyalty (including credit), payroll, omni-channel, and retail shrink.
  • Drive company profitability through operational excellence, top-line sales growth, and expense control.
  • Leverage store forecasts and payroll budgets to support scheduling needs and communicate requirements to the General Manager to maximize productivity, achieve sales and payroll goals, and complete workloads (e.g., realignments, planograms, ad set processes) on time and within budget.
  • Review, analyze, and react to Ulta Beauty’s financial and operational reporting, including store visit and audit results, in a timely manner.
  • Leverage company programs, tools, and resources to drive improvements and meet store goals.
  • Perform makeup applications, skincare analysis, and product demonstrations to drive sales and enhance the guest service experience.
  • Stay informed about new and existing industry trends, products, and services during work time, and be knowledgeable about their ingredients and benefits to better serve guests.
  • Maintain prompt, regular attendance and hold store associates accountable to the Ulta Beauty attendance policy.
• People:
  • Attract, hire, and retain a diverse team of top talent, addressing staffing needs and open positions efficiently.
  • Build a highly engaged team that embodies the Ulta Beauty brand through effective collaboration, open communication, and prioritization of work.
  • Create an inclusive environment that inspires and encourages associate growth and engagement.
  • Support all aspects of manager and associate professional development, including training, competency-based feedback, coaching, performance reviews, succession planning, and individual development plans to drive continuous development and sales performance.
  • Regularly participate in ongoing training, including brand and category education, to enable continuous professional development and drive sales performance.
  • Ensure direct reports participate in ongoing training, including brand and category education, for continuous professional development.
  • Establish professional vendor partnerships to collaboratively deliver on shipment and planogram expectations.
  • Model a culture of operational excellence by working alongside the leadership team, establishing priorities, providing direction and support, and sharing best practices.
  • Execute the Guest Engagement Leader program flawlessly through business ownership, associate coaching, and leading a helpful and friendly guest experience to drive business results across all Annual Performance Goals (APGs) metrics.
• Process:
  • Ensure compliance with Ulta Beauty’s policies, procedures, and standards for the store.
  • Adhere to and enforce Ulta Beauty’s dress code.
  • Ensure execution of all operational focuses, including ad set processes, visual sets, planograms, realignments, and inventory life-cycle processes (e.g., cycle counts, damages, testers, inventory adjustments, RTVs, and DIFs).
  • Use the company’s scheduling tool to adjust schedules and manage attendance in-the-moment during manager-on-duty shifts for accurate scheduling and reporting.
  • Use the company’s task management tool to prioritize and execute store workload, including product and marketing resets, pricing updates, inventory tasks, cleaning, and replenishment.
  • Manage service, boutique, and store supply inventory and ordering processes, ensuring adherence to allocated budget and availability of necessary products for services and retail.
  • Protect company assets and minimize loss by ensuring all store standards and operating procedures are met, including workplace safety, inventory control, cash management, and loss prevention.
  • Execute day-to-day inventory control processes (e.g., known theft, damages, hazardous waste, inventory adjustments, product returns) and complete theft reporting as necessary.
  • Support continuous improvement by influencing the adoption of company initiatives and technology, communicating expectations, and ensuring execution of all store tasks.
  • Utilize company programs, tools, and resources to drive store improvements.
  • Regularly communicate and provide feedback to field leadership on business trends, opportunities, events, operational challenges, merchandise needs, and the competitive landscape.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Experience:
  • 2-3+ years of fast-paced retail management or other relevant work experience.
  • Financial management: success with driving top-line sales, interpreting reporting data, managing payroll budgets, and controlling expenses.
  • Retail management: proven ability with monitoring inventory levels, achieving operational excellence, driving a service culture, and executing merchandising directives.
  • Leadership management: experience with attracting, developing, and motivating top talent; swiftly adapting to change and leading others through the change-curve; developing collaborative relationships; and leading and influencing a team.
• Skills:
  • Proficient with basic technology (e.g., Point of Sale system, Microsoft Office programs, and Apple devices).
  • Excellent written and verbal communication.
  • Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks.
  • Ability to react under pressure, use good judgment in ambiguous situations, and be flexible/adaptable.

Special Position Requirements

• Work a flexible, full-time schedule to include days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be available to work shifts on Sundays and Mondays.
• Attend corporate business meetings and conferences.

Working Conditions

• Continuous mobility throughout the store during shift, including twisting.
• Frequent bending, pulling, pushing, crouching, stooping, and reaching during shift.
• Continuous lifting and/or moving up to 25 lbs. during shift.
• Continuous coordination and manipulation of objects during shift.
• Frequent use of a computer, telephonic devices, and related office supplies.

If an associate has a disability that prevents them from performing an essential function of the job, the Company will engage in the interactive process with the associate to determine whether there is a reasonable accommodation that will enable the associate to perform the essential functions of the job.

About the Company

At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products, and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring hair, skin, brow, and make-up services. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable state and local laws.