Retail Manager, The Nest Spirit Shop, UT Southern (Pulaski, TN)

The Retail Manager of The Nest is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the University of Tennessee Southern’s campus spirit shop. This role focuses on retail execution, customer experience, inventory control, and supervision of student staff to ensure The Nest operates efficiently, professionally, and in alignment with university standards. 

Retail Operations & Store Management
• Manage daily operations of The Nest, including opening and closing procedures
• Ensure a welcoming, well-organized, and customer-focused retail environment
• Maintain compliance with university policies, cash-handling procedures, and security protocols
• Oversee point-of-sale systems, inventory controls, and basic sales reporting
• Ensure accurate record-keeping related to sales, inventory, and staffing

Inventory & Merchandising
• Receive, stock, price, and merchandise spirit shop inventory
• Monitor inventory levels and coordinate reorders with approved vendors
• Assist with seasonal merchandising, promotions, and visual displays
• Track inventory movement and identify best-selling and slow-moving items
• Support basic forecasting and inventory planning within established guidelines

Staff & Student Worker Supervision
• Hire, train, schedule, and supervise student employees
• Provide clear expectations, on-the-job training, and performance feedback
• Foster a positive, service-oriented work environment
• Ensure appropriate staffing coverage for extended hours, events, and peak periods

Vendor & Campus Coordination
• Serve as the primary point of contact for spirit shop vendors
• Coordinate with campus partners on merchandise needs related to events or initiatives
• Support campus activities through timely fulfillment of approved merchandise requests

Reporting & Administrative Support
• Prepare routine sales and inventory summaries for leadership
• Maintain an operations reference guide for store procedures
• Participate in required meetings and training

Minimum Qualifications 

• High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) required

• Retail or store management experience, preferably in apparel, bookstore, or specialty retail
• Experience supervising and scheduling part-time or student employees
• Strong customer service orientation and interpersonal skills
• Familiarity with point-of-sale and inventory systems
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office applications

Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Experience working in a college or university retail environment
• Familiarity with collegiate spirit merchandise and licensing standards
• Experience supporting campus events or seasonal retail cycles

Located in southern middle Tennessee, UT Southern is about 70 miles south of Nashville and 40 miles north of Huntsville, Alabama. The campus is nestled in the small community of Pulaski and currently enrolls about 800 students a year.
UT Southern is the newest campus to join the UT System, evolving from UT’s acquisition of Martin Methodist College in 2021. Students enrolling at UT Southern enjoy a private-college experience at an affordable, public-school cost. Among the many advantages are low student-teacher ratios and high classroom personalization. More than 30 academic programs of study are available through the divisions of business, education, humanities, mathematics and sciences, nursing and social sciences.
UT Southern is a college community where friends become family, where learning leads to doing and where everyone sees opportunity.