Store Manager

Job Summary

A Barnes & Noble bookstore is a gathering place for readers and the community. As a Store Manager (SM), your key focus and responsibility is the smooth running of your store. You do this by leading, developing, and working through your team and Cluster to ensure the store is delivering expected results. In this role, the effectiveness of your team is a direct reflection of your ability to lead and motivate that team.

About the Role

You and the management team hold yourselves and the team to these standards, reinforcing expectations. These behaviors collectively demonstrate that your store team understands and reflects the following:

• Firm understanding and consistency of all Bookstore Basics, maintaining the store’s presentation to expected standards.
• Strong operational standards maintaining a well-organized stockroom and backstock, receiving and shelving deliveries in a timely manner.
• Commercial direction, presentation, and execution across the Front of Store (FOS) and table displays, that highlight key titles and promotions.
• Strong section detail and appropriate stock levels, with the team working effectively with the Inventory Cluster Support (ICS) team to ensure appropriate offerings.
• A well-presented Children’s Department with clear ownership, balanced stock, a strong commercial offer, and a welcoming space.
• Proper execution and understanding around Specialty visual merchandising, replenishment, and disciplines, delivering the Gift and FOS presentation, Toys & Games, and other non-book sections correctly.
• Solid execution of café standards supported by the store team, fostering a positive culture of partnership within the café team and actively promoting Membership and book picks.
• Delivery of good service by having the FOS well covered and the team being “heads up,” greeting and offering help to most customers in an unintrusive, natural way.
• Solid execution of roster aligning with the budget, so store scheduling is balanced to effectively and smoothly run the store, collaborating well with Rota Cluster Support (RCS) and when needed, with Recruiter Cluster Support (RC).

Responsibilities

As a Store Manager, you will be required to lead the team to strong, consistent performance. Each Barnes & Noble bookstore is the product of its leadership, who supports the bookselling and café team. You will be expected to deliver results through your ability to inspire and support your team. You will:

• Assess the capabilities and potential of the store team fairly and with good understanding of individual skills, conducting reviews consistently and promptly.
• Prioritize the development of individual booksellers purposefully, meeting the demands of the store, working with the People Cluster Support to do so.
• Hold the store team accountable for consistent standards appropriate for their position, addressing opportunities promptly and fairly.
• Lead the store team with kindness, fairness, and respect, encouraging the same throughout the team, while creating a positive working environment.
• Communicate and deliver appropriate company messages to the store team in a clear, consistent way, sharing necessary feedback and questions with the Cluster, Area, or Home Office resources.
• Demonstrate integrity and personal credibility, inspiring engagement and performance within the team and Cluster.
• Be resilient and determined when under pressure, remaining equitable and consistent while focusing and achieving goals and objectives.
• Be open to learning, listen and accept feedback about your own skills and opportunities, and actively work to improve and develop.
• Seek to use your strengths at the Cluster level and show a willingness to offer support outside your store and accept cluster partnerships.
• Work proactively to remedy weaknesses and develop strengths in position with continual learning to progress in your personal development and career ambition.

Qualifications

You must have:

• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in a retail management role, preferably in a bookstore setting.
• Experience managing a team of at least 10 employees.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize responsibilities.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
• Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, including prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and a lot of walking.

Skills

Required skills include:

• Understanding of Bookstore Basics and ability to maintain store presentation to expected standards.
• Strong operational standards for stockroom and delivery management.
• Commercial direction and execution across FOS and table displays.
• Section detail and stock level management with ICS team collaboration.
• Children’s Department management, including visual merchandising and stock levels.
• Café standards execution and team support.
• Service delivery and customer interaction.
• Roster alignment and budget management.
• Leadership, team development, and performance management.
• Communication and company message delivery.
• Resilience and determination under pressure.
• Learning and continuous improvement.
• Cluster-level support and partnerships.

Benefits

The benefits package includes:

• Health insurance coverage.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Discounts on books and other products.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $40,000 - $60,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

The schedule for this position is typically Monday through Saturday, with some flexibility based on store needs.