RETAIL ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER

Full-time. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance. Vacation and holidays. 401k retirement. The Assistant General Manager (AGM) is responsible for assisting the General Manager in overseeing daily retail operations, including the Gift Shop, inventory management, fulfillment, online sales, staffing, and customer service. This position requires a highly motivated, dependable, and results-driven leader who demonstrates professionalism, accountability, flexibility, and a commitment to operational excellence. The Assistant General Manager serves as a key member of the leadership team and is expected to take ownership of departmental operations, support organizational goals, and ensure business continuity in the General Manager’s absence.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions

Duties/Responsibilities/Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Leadership and Staff Management

• Assist the General Manager in supervising daily operations and departmental personnel.
• Provide leadership, coaching, training, and performance feedback to employees and supervisors.
• Hold employees accountable for established policies, procedures, attendance, and performance expectations.
• Address employee concerns professionally and consistently.
• Assist with employee evaluations, corrective actions, and disciplinary documentation.
• Promote a positive, respectful, and productive workplace.
• Lead by example through professionalism, dependability, teamwork, and ethical behavior.
• Assume responsibility for departmental operations when the General Manager is unavailable.

Scheduling and Workforce Management

• Assist with preparing and maintaining employee schedules based on business demands, operational needs, and approved labor budgets.
• Ensure appropriate staffing during peak seasons, weekends, holidays, special events, and inventory periods.
• Monitor attendance, punctuality, and adherence to assigned schedules.
• Assist in managing labor expenses and minimizing unnecessary overtime.
• Respond to unexpected staffing shortages and operational challenges.
• Demonstrate flexibility in scheduling, including availability to work weekends, holidays, and extended hours as business needs require.
• Ensure schedule adjustments receive appropriate management approval.

Retail Operations and Customer Service

• Oversee daily Gift Shop operations to ensure efficiency, organization, and excellent customer service.
• Maintain high standards of store presentation, cleanliness, merchandising, and product availability.
• Assist in resolving customer complaints and operational issues.
• Monitor daily sales performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure opening and closing procedures are completed accurately.
• Maintain compliance with cash-handling, point-of-sale, and loss-prevention procedures.
• Support promotional initiatives and seasonal merchandising strategies.

Inventory Control and Merchandise Management

• Assist in overseeing inventory accuracy, product movement, receiving, stocking, and replenishment.
• Participate in physical inventory counts, cycle counts, and inventory reconciliation.
• Help identify and resolve inventory discrepancies.
• Monitor shrinkage, damaged merchandise, and product loss.
• Ensure merchandise is properly received, labeled, priced, and displayed.
• Support inventory preparation and execution, including annual inventory requirements.
• Work with the General Manager to improve inventory processes and operational efficiency.

Fulfillment and Online Sales

• Assist in overseeing order fulfillment and e-commerce operations.
• Ensure online orders are processed, packed, and shipped accurately and promptly.
• Monitor order accuracy, customer satisfaction, and fulfillment productivity.
• Coordinate with employees responsible for online inventory and order processing.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflow, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Assist with resolving online customer service issues and order discrepancies.

Financial Performance and Sales Goals

• Support the General Manager in achieving departmental sales, revenue, and profitability goals.
• Review daily, weekly, and monthly sales performance.
• Assist in controlling labor costs, operating expenses, and inventory-related losses.
• Monitor sales trends and recommend improvements.
• Support merchandising and promotional strategies that increase revenue.
• Assist with financial reporting and operational performance reviews.
• Demonstrate an understanding of sales budgets, cost of goods sold, gross margins, and profitability.

Communication and Collaboration

• Maintain open, professional communication with the General Manager, supervisors, employees, and other departments.
• Communicate operational updates, staffing concerns, and business priorities promptly.
• Attend and participate in management meetings, training sessions, and organizational events.
• Work collaboratively with other departments to support the mission of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
• Ensure management directives, policies, and operational expectations are communicated clearly and consistently.

Accountability and Operational Ownership

• Take initiative in identifying and resolving operational challenges without requiring constant direction.
• Demonstrate sound judgment and appropriate decision-making.
• Follow through on assigned projects, deadlines, and departmental priorities.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding employee matters and organizational information.
• Accept responsibility for decisions and actions.
• Ensure the department continues operating effectively in the General Manager’s absence.
• Communicate significant issues and escalate matters requiring General Manager approval.
• Ensure consistent execution of standard operating procedures
• Represent the brand, understand the competition, and retail landscape
• Foster a culture of collaboration within merchandise team and across the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
• Maintain a high caliber customer experience for external and internal customers
• Ensure all compliance standards are met
• Working knowledge of Gift Shop, Catalog Sales, and HAB
• Maintain inventory accuracy and counts for your department

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Level of Supervision: Supervisory

Travel Required: No

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education

• High school graduate with some college

Required Experience

• Previous retail management or supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop employees.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with inventory management, scheduling, and retail operations.
• Basic understanding of sales reporting and financial performance.
• Proficiency with point-of-sale systems and standard computer applications.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain professionalism during challenging situations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years of progressive retail management experience.
• Experience in high-volume retail operations.
• Experience overseeing multiple operational functions.
• Familiarity with e-commerce and fulfillment operations.
• Experience with Shopify or comparable retail management systems.
• Experience with budgeting, labor management, and inventory controls.

Other Requirements

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to perform routine retail and stockroom activities.
• Ability to lift and move merchandise within established organizational safety guidelines. Pushing, carrying, lifting items and merchandise weighing up to 50 pounds to waist and shoulder height.
• Ability to work in a busy retail environment.

Eligibility Qualifications

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Performance Expectations

Success in this position will be measured by:

• Achievement of departmental sales and operational goals.
• Effective leadership, employee development, and accountability.
• Inventory accuracy and shrinkage control.
• Customer service quality and satisfaction.
• Effective labor management and scheduling.
• Completion of assigned responsibilities and deadlines.
• Professional communication and teamwork.
• Ability to independently manage daily operations when needed.

Leadership Expectations

• The Assistant General Manager is expected to function as an extension of the General Manager’s leadership, not simply as an additional supervisor.
• The individual in this position must demonstrate the ability to make informed decisions, take initiative, manage employees fairly, and maintain departmental standards without constant oversight.
• The Assistant General Manager must understand that leadership requires accountability, adaptability, professionalism, and a willingness to place the operational needs of the organization above personal scheduling preferences.
• The ultimate responsibility of this position is to support the General Manager in building a successful, efficient, accountable, and high-performing retail operation.

Expected Hours of Work

• 5 days a week
• Weekends, holiday weeks, and inventory availability is not an option / these are requirements for the job

DISCLAIMERS

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Duties and Responsibilities May Change with or Without Notice

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.