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. Lar