Department Manager

About This Role

Leading an assigned area of the business, the Department Manager creates engaging retail experiences that inspire customers and support the campus community. Through strong leadership, operational excellence, and customer focus, Department Managers help elevate the campus store experience every day. This role is a key member of the store leadership team, responsible for leading the daily operations and overall performance of an assigned department while supporting the success of the campus store.

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operations of an assigned department by delivering exceptional customer service, coaching team members, and fostering a customer-first culture
• Own department performance by executing business strategies, driving sales, managing inventory, monitoring operational results, and identifying opportunities to improve performance
• Recruit, hire, train, coach, schedule, and develop department team members while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous development
• Partner with store leadership to support overall store operations, serve as Manager-on-Duty as needed, and ensure company initiatives and operational priorities are successfully executed
• Build strong relationships with customers, campus partners, and team members while resolving customer concerns with professionalism, sound judgment, and a commitment to exceptional service
• Lead merchandising, inventory management, visual presentation, and workload execution to ensure merchandise availability, operational excellence, and a customer-ready department
• Analyze department performance, sales trends, and operational metrics to make informed decisions, forecast business needs, and achieve measurable results
• Champion company initiatives, operational standards, safety, and loss prevention practices while ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized department while supporting overall store operations, performing physical tasks as needed, and working a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak business periods

Requirements

• 2+ years of retail experience, including leadership, supervisory, or buying experience preferred, or successful completion of the Barnes & Noble College Aspiring Leader Program
• Demonstrated leadership experience recruiting, coaching, developing, and motivating team members
• Experience with retail operations, including merchandising, inventory management, visual merchandising, customer service, and sales performance
• Strong customer service, communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment