Retail Shop Operations Manager

VARSITY SPIRIT, A VARSITY BRANDS COMPANY - THE DRIVING FORCE IN SPIRIT ACROSS CHEER, DANCE, BAND AND YEARBOOK

For over 50 years, Varsity Spirit has been the leading global source for all things spirit, including cheerleading, dance team, performing arts and yearbook. Focused on safety, entertainment and traditional school leadership, Varsity Spirit’s 5,000+ employees are dedicated to celebrating school spirit. A leader in apparel innovation, educational camps, clinics, competitions, and yearbook, Varsity Spirit impacts more than a million athletes each year.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

At Varsity Spirit, the safety and wellbeing of the young people we serve is of the utmost importance. Since our inception 50 years ago, we have been – and remain – steadfastly committed to doing our part to create a safe and positive environment for our participants’ physical, emotional, and social development, and promoting an environment free from abuse and misconduct. Varsity has a zero tolerance for abuse in its programs, events, and associated business activities. Varsity is committed to reporting all suspicions, allegations, and incidents of abuse in full accordance with local laws and reporting requirements. Learn more at Our Commitment to Safety - Varsity.com.

Location: Hybrid onsite 4 days per week in Memphis TN HQ

Travel: 10 to 11 weekends per year (25-30%)

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

Retail Shop Operations Manager with deep expertise in temporary retail environments, specializing in high-volume, event-driven sales and multi-location execution. Proven ability to lead end-to-end retail operations across pop-up locations, delivering strong sales performance and elevated brand experiences. Skilled in merchandising, staffing strategy, and real-time operational management in fast-paced settings. Known for building high-performing teams, ensuring brand consistency, and driving continuous improvement through data-driven insights.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Lead end-to-end operations for Varsity Shop retail locations, including pop-up, event-based, and campus storefronts
• Execute retail activations aligned with competitions and brand initiatives, ensuring seamless setup, operation, and teardown
• Partner with marketing, brand, and event teams to deliver cohesive and engaging retail experiences that amplify school spirit and brand presence
• Drive revenue performance by optimizing staffing models and customer engagement strategies during peak traffic events
• Monitor and analyze key performance metrics (sales, traffic, conversion, inventory turnover) to inform real-time decision-making
• Ensure consistent execution of visual merchandising standards and brand guidelines across all Varsity Shop locations
• Train and lead temporary retail staff, fostering a high-energy, customer-focused team culture. Manage third party labor relationships to ensure operational expectations and level of execution are met.  
• Develop staffing plans to support high-volume event schedules, seasonal peaks, and regional demand fluctuations
• Serve as on-site operational leader during events, quickly resolving challenges and ensuring smooth customer experiences
• Conduct regular site visits to assess performance, support teams, and uphold operational and brand standards
• Evaluate post-event performance, identifying opportunities to enhance future retail activations and improve profitability
• Build and maintain strong relationships with venue partners, event operators, and third-party vendors
• Drive continuous improvement of Varsity Shop retail playbooks, scaling best practices across regions and events

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Strong understanding of point of service (POS) systems for the retail space.
• Ability to understand and analyze data.
• Proven experience managing people including third part labor (3PL).
• Strong fluency in Microsoft Excel along with other Microsoft Office programs.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a team.
• Ability to multi-task and work efficiently.
• Strong time management and attention to timelines.

Education & Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in retail
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a leadership role
• Experience with Shopify a plus

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job operates in a professional office environment. Largely a sedentary role with some filing requiring the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending or standing on a stool as necessary. The ability to sit or stand for long periods through meetings and while operating office equipment, PC’s, laptop, telephone will be required.  

During events, the ability to stand and walk for long periods of time (5 hours plus) is required. The ability to communicate with customers and colleagues using the following but not limited to radio, walkie talkie, text message and email is required. The ability to lift, bend, push, pull and manipulate equipment that is a minimum of 30 lbs. is required.

TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS

Travel will include out-of-the-area and overnight travel for specific event-based retail opportunities at seasonal times across Varsity Spirit’s event-based operations estimated at 10 to 11 weekends per year (25-30%).

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Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job.

JOIN THE BEST TEAM IN SPORT & SPIRIT

At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference. It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our two divisions – BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit – and our network of 6,000+ employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with a wide range of educational institutions and club and professional sports to transform the student journey in SPORT and SPIRIT.

OUR VALUES

Service - We lead with heart. We champion community.

Passion - We love what we do. It fuels our purpose.

Integrity - We do what we promise. We own our actions and decisions.

Respect - We earn it by giving it. Because everyone deserves it.

Innovation - We never stop striving to be better. For ourselves and our community.

Transparency - We are committed to openness and honesty in everything we do.

OUR BENEFITS

We are committed to putting you and your families first. For benefits eligible roles, we offer a variety of choices and costs as well as program enhancements that align with our responsibility to elevate the employee experience. Some of our offerings include:

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits
• HSA Employer Contribution/ FSA Opportunities
• Wellbeing Program
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability
• Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Varsity Brands Ownership Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities
• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment!

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.