Barnes & Noble College is a retail partner for nearly 800 colleges and universities nationwide.  We offer a retail environment like no other – uniquely focused on delivering essential educational content, tools, and merchandise within a dynamic retail environment on campuses of higher education.  Our teams interact directly with our customers including students, faculty, administration, alumni, and the general public to provide outstanding customer service to sell or rent books, general merchandise, and an array of products and services for an academic community.

Barnes & Noble College is in search of a customer-focused, sales-driven Retail General Manager to propel our retail location at the University of Connecticut ("UConn") to new heights. Ideal for a visionary leader skilled in overseeing high-volume, multi-unit retail operations, the role entails guiding the store's daily operations. The manager will cultivate and sustain positive relationships within the campus community, manage and mentor staff across departments, and engage directly with customers and faculty to deliver significant results. The role demands proficiency in driving sales, embodying leadership, ensuring customer satisfaction, team empowerment, and adept problem-solving on a daily basis.

The Retail General Manager is the cornerstone of the bookstore's operations, entrusted with comprehensive oversight of financial health, operational workflow, product merchandising, team development, customer engagement, and fostering relationships with the campus community. This individual will collaborate closely with the campus and corporate partners, channeling efforts to establish the most distinguished and profitable bookstore, tailored to the needs of the academic environment. As a pivotal leadership figure, responsibilities include providing training, guidance, and support to staff, cultivating a customer-focused culture that bolsters loyalty to the bookstore, and driving tangible outcomes. Expertise across all facets of bookstore operations is essential, coupled with the ability to exemplify stellar customer service, drive sales growth, and navigate challenges with strategic problem-solving.

Expectations:

• Execute developed business strategies and identify opportunities drive sales, increase customer satisfaction, and expand store traffic.
• Strong delegation, follow up, and management skills to maintain outstanding visual merchandising standards, ensure availability of merchandise, maintain appropriate inventories, and complete projects in a deadline driven industry.
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and sales through effective scheduling, talent acquisition, training, and development of store team members.
• Ability to identify creative solutions, learn independently, embrace change, and act as a change agent.
• Analyze sales figures, interpret trends, and forecast future sales to manage all controllable costs and keep operations profitable.
• Ensure standards for quality, customer service, and health and safety are met by providing a safe and clean store environment and implementing loss prevention measures.
• Foster a fair and equitable workplace, encourage an environment where team members express their concerns and ideas.
• Provide feedback through counseling and appraisals; relate to others, build rapport, and work collaboratively with customers, campus partners, and the Store Team.

Physical Demands:

• Frequent movement within the store to access various departments, areas, and/or products.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods.
• Frequent lifting.
• Occasional reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and climbing ladders.

Connecticut Pay Transparency Information (Only applicable in Connecticut stores):

Pay:  Pay range $90,000 - 110,000 /year.

Supplemental Pay:  Eligible to participate in an annual bonus program. Target bonus is 15% of base salary. Payout eligibility and amount is based on meeting stated objectives updated each year.

Benefits available include:

• Get paid sooner! Daily Pay earned wage access is available to all store employees.
• Employee Discount
• Paid sick time (accrued based on time worked)
• Eligibility to participate in a 401k (after the completion of 1000 hours worked in a 12 month period)
• Commuter Benefits

Eligibility for each plan may include a waiting period and may require the employee to enroll during a stated eligibility period.

COVID-19 Considerations:

Our stores comply with all applicable federal, state and local requirements and/or recommendations regarding social distancing and sanitizing. In accordance with individual campus requirements, positions may require confirmation of vaccination. The use of face masks throughout the day and while on campus may also be expected or required.

• 5+ years’ supervisory experience in a retail setting preferred or a graduate of the Best Seller Program.
• Bachelors in Business Administration or relevant field preferred.
• Leadership experience to direct and develop a workforce of managers and sales associates.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem solving skills to manage campus relationships and corporate initiatives while achieving customer sales and service goals.
• Familiarity with financial and customer service principles.
• Basic reading, writing and accounting skills required.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills needed.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Barnes & Noble College is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer committed to diversity in the workplace.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

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