Store Manager

Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, offering fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores carry officially licensed products from collegiate and professional sports teams, as well as top brands like Nike, New Era, Adidas, and Mitchell & Ness. General Position Summary At Lids, Store Managers are the heart and soul of the brand.

These leaders foster excitement for sporting and fashion goods by meeting customer needs and ensuring all areas of the store are engaged. Store Managers are accountable for every aspect of retail performance, creating a fun and inclusive environment for their team, and delivering exceptional customer service. Principle Duties And Responsibilities People & Training Development Manage the store’s hiring strategy, including planning needs, recruitment strategy, projected turnover, and leaves of absence.

Assist the market’s Authorized Trainer in coordinating onboarding to acclimate new team members to Lids. Engage team members by creating a fun and productive environment, and help them understand how their work supports company objectives and the success of the store and Lids overall. Contribute to a respectful and inclusive team environment by establishing supportive working relationships and adhering to Lids Brand Standards.

Perform people‑related actions to update team member information, including approving time‑off requests, approving shift swaps, and updating availability and timecards. Lead and monitor the store’s ongoing training strategy, including training for non‑Keyholders, process changes, promotions, or job changes. Address all employee concerns or issues, including knowing when to partner with internal support to take appropriate action.

Drive team engagement by ensuring team members receive recognition and continuous check‑ins, including performance management and documentation when relevant. Collaborate across store channels and/or districts using company Discussion Boards or district and regional chat platforms. Customer Experience Lead and execute Selling 101 strategy to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs), sales target and deliver exceptional customer service.

Resolve customer feedback and address issues in the moment, including customer escalations, urgent requests, and “make it right” initiatives. Manage and direct in‑store team members to ensure optimal customer service that values customers’ time and supports overall store operations. Ensure every customer is offered the opportunity to participate in Lids’ membership programs or special offers when live in‑store through employee education.

Additional Principal Duties And Responsibilities Operations Manage the team’s compliance within the scheduling and payroll process to align with policies, procedures, budgets, and applicable law. Plan, prepare, and manage the schedule by considering team members’ qualifications, availability, and performance to maintain operational efficiency. Manage business disruptions and provide operational continuity (e.g., store closures, employee absenteeism, schedule/wages, operating hours impact).

Execute operations‑focused company‑level directives, promotions, and initiatives. Understand and adhere to Policies & Procedures Manual to maintain a safe work environment. Maintain store technology and equipment—MPOS, Lids Custom, etc.—by conducting daily audits, verifying continued functionality, facilitating updates, and ordering repairs as needed.

Maintain store facilities, supplies, and services by executing service requests, assessing maintenance or repair needs, and replenishing store supplies. Effectively manage cash, including accurate opening and closing of the till, using counterfeit protection practices, and consistent bank drops. Effectively prepare the store for inventory audits and support in performing them to confirm inventory accuracy.

Product & Inventory Management Drive overall store product strategy, including supervision and oversight of receiving, processing, merchandising, and exiting through purchase or transfer. Strategically organize the backroom to maximize efficiency. Ensure integrity of product held to vendor‑specific regulations.

Lead execution of weekly markdowns and markups as needed to ensure proper pricing. Monitor and manage sell‑through by monitoring product levels and ensuring inventory accuracy. Manage any transfers or ship‑backs according to company standards.

Execute optimal layout and visual merchandising strategy, including managing window activations and seasonal merchandise changes. Maintain the look and feel of the store through day‑to‑day VM and store actions. Execute special pricing signage and promotional presentation adjustments during operating hours to align with overall product sell‑through strategy.

Job Required Knowledge & Skills Two years of post‑secondary education and one‑year related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Established ability to produce sales results while minimizing loss. Proven supervisory skills, with capacity to deliver training material and assess retention.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability and willingness to travel overnight for training and/or business meetings. Ability to work varying days and hours, based on business needs, and maintain an excellent attendance record.

Reports To District Sales Manager Employment Requirements Candidates must possess the experience, skills, physical abilities, and qualifications, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform the essential duties of the role and must be able to meet all applicable employment standards. Being legally authorized to work in the United States is a pre‑condition of employment for this position. Current or future employment‑based visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr