Corporate Store Manager

The Store Manager is responsible for leading all aspects of the HobbyTown corporate store's daily operations, including customer service, sales performance, inventory management, merchandising, and team development.

This role ensures the store operates with excellence, reflects the HobbyTown brand, and delivers an engaging, educational, and fun customer experience.

Reporting directly to the Area Manager or Regional Director, the Store Manager is accountable for financial performance, operational execution, and the development of a high-performing team.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales Leadership & Financial Performance

• Drive daily, weekly, and monthly sales goals.
• Monitor key financial metrics including gross margin, payroll %, inventory turns, shrink, and category mix.
• Execute sales-to-purchase planning to ensure accurate COGS and strong margin results.
• Identify category growth opportunities across RC, TCG, Models, LEGO, STEM, and Toys.
• Lead initiatives to increase conversion, average basket, and transaction count.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee all store operations, including opening/closing, cash handling, receiving, inventory control, and store safety.
• Maintain compliance with corporate policies, brand standards, and operational processes.
• Ensure accuracy in ordering, receiving, returns, and inventory adjustments.
• Manage store payroll, scheduling, and labor planning within targets.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and engaging store environment.

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, hire, and develop a high-performing team with strong customer service and product knowledge skills.
• Train team members on service standards, merchandising, and operational routines.
• Provide coaching, performance reviews, and leadership development.
• Maintain strong communication and alignment with the Area Manager/Regional Director.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and hobby-focused culture.

Customer Experience

• Ensure every guest receives exceptional, friendly, and knowledgeable service.
• Train team members to provide demos, build relationships, and offer expert recommendations.
• Resolve customer concerns professionally and promptly.
• Create a store environment that encourages exploration, creativity, and learning.

Merchandising & Brand Presentation

• Execute all merchandising plans, planograms, seasonal sets, and promotional displays.
• Maintain brand consistency in signage, fixtures, and product adjacencies.
• Ensure fully stocked shelves, clean displays, and accurate pricing.
• Adjust displays based on sales trends and customer behavior.
• Provide feedback to corporate merchandising on product opportunities and performance.

Community Engagement

• Support store events, demos, classes, and hobby meetups to increase traffic and loyalty.
• Build relationships with local clubs, schools, hobby groups, and community organizations.
• Represent HobbyTown as a positive, community-focused brand.

Communication & Execution

• Execute all corporate initiatives, including resets, promotional events, and brand updates.
• Communicate store needs, opportunities, and performance updates to leadership.
• Maintain accurate store records, documentation, and reporting.
• Ensure alignment with corporate strategy and store goals.

Requirements:

Qualifications & Experience:

• 2–4 years in a Manager role in retail, hospitality, or a customer-facing environment.
• Strong experience in customer service, daily operations, and merchandising.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop a team.
• Ability to analyze KPIs and make action-based decisions.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage payroll, scheduling, inventory, and store routines.
• Flexible availability, including weekends and holidays.
• Passion for hobbies, creativity, and hands-on retail engagement.

Success Traits:

• Inspiring, positive leader with strong team-building skills.
• High accountability and ownership of results.
• Strong customer service focus.
• Entrepreneurial, adaptable, and solutions-oriented.
• Passionate about hobbies and community engagement.