Store Manager
About Our Company
At Lids Sports Group, we don’t just sell hats - we fuel fandom. As the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, we bring sports, fashion, and culture together in more than 1,300 stores nationwide. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Lids delivers premium, fan-driven products and unforgettable retail experiences.
Our stores feature officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional teams, alongside top brands like Champion, Nike, New Era, Lululemon Athletica, and Mitchell & Ness. We’re also the industry leader in on-demand customization, offering in-store embroidery that turns everyday gear into one-of-a-kind statements.
From specialty concept stores for the NBA and NHL, to iconic clubhouse destinations for the Yankees and Dodgers, we create immersive retail experiences that celebrate the teams fans love. Through collaborations with brands like Marvel, Peanuts, and The Walt Disney Company, Lids continues to redefine how fans represent their teams - in style.
General Position Summary
At Lids, our Store Managers are the heart and soul of the Lids brand. These cap experts strive to foster the passion for sporting and fashion goods by meeting the needs of our customers while ensuring that all areas of the store are engaged. Store Managers are accountable for every aspect of the retail store performance inclusive of achieving key results, creating a fun and inclusive environment for their team, and delivering exceptional customer service by offering their expertise on Lids’ products and services.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
People & Training Development
- Manage your store’s hiring strategy, including planning needs, recruitment strategy, projected turnover, and leaves of absence.
- Assist in onboarding to acclimate new team members to Lids.
- Engage team members by creating a fun and productive environment, including helping them understand how their work supports company objectives and the success of their stores and Lids overall.
- Contribute to a respectful and inclusive team environment by establishing supportive working relationships and adhering to Lids Standards (e.g. company dress code, etc.)
- Perform people-related actions to update team member information, including approving time off requests, approving shift swaps, updating availability, timecards, qualifications, and other employee records as needed.
- Lead and monitor your store’s ongoing training strategy, including training non-Keyholders, process changes, promotions or job changes, and new programs or initiatives.
- Address all employee concerns or issues, including knowing when to partner with internal support (e.g. Help Desk, HR, DSM, RD, etc.) to take appropriate action.
- Drive team engagement by ensuring team members are given recognition and continuous check-ins, including performance management and documentation when relevant, to support and reinforce career and personal growth.
- Collaborate across store channels and/or districts using company Discussion Boards or district and regional chat platforms.
Customer Experience
- Lead and execute Lids selling strategy to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs), sales targets, and deliver exceptional customer service.
- Resolve customer feedback and address issues in the moment, including customer escalations, urgent requests, and resolve to “make it right” for customers.
- Manage and direct in-store team members to ensure optimal customer service that values customers’ time and supports overall store operations.
- Ensure every customer is offered the opportunity to participate in Lids membership programs or special in-store offers through employee education.
Operations
- Manage team’s compliance within the scheduling and payroll process to align with policies, procedures, budgets, and applicable law.
- Plan, prepare, and manage the schedule by considering team members’ qualifications, availability, and performance to maintain efficient and effective operations.
- Manage business disruptions and provide operational continuity (e.g., store closures, employee absenteeism, schedule/wages, operating hours impact, etc.)
- Execute operations-focused company-level directives, promotions, and initiatives (e.g. from Lids HQ).
- Understand and adhere to the Policies & Procedures Manual to maintain a safe work environment.
- Maintain store technology and equipment – MPOS, Lids Custom, etc. – by conducting daily audits, verifying continued functionality, facilitating updates and maintenance as instructed, or ordering repair as needed.
- Maintain store facilities, supplies, and services by executing service requests, assessing maintenance or repair needs, placing repair work orders, or replenishing store supplies.
- Effectively manage cash, including accurate opening and closing of the till, using counterfeit protection practices, and consistent bank drops.
- Effectively prepare store for inventory audits and support in performing them as needed to confirm inventory accuracy.
Product & Inventory Management
- Drive overall store product strategy, including supervision and oversight of receiving, processing, merchandising, and exiting through purchase or transfer.
- Strategically organize the backroom to maximize efficiency, including arranging product/ supplies to optimize space and productivity.
- Ensure product integrity in line with vendor-specific regulations, including custom embroidery limitations, purchase amount limitations, or special release dates.
- Lead execution of weekly markdowns and markups as needed to ensure proper pricing.
- Monitor and manage sell-through by monitoring product levels and ensuring inventory accuracy.
- Manage any transfers or ship-backs (e.g. process damages) according to company standards.
- Execute optimal layout and visual merchandising (VM) or product presentation strategy, including managing window activations, hardware flips, mannequin flips, and seasonal or weekly merchandise changes.
- Maintain the look and feel of the store through day-to-day VM and store actions (e.g., ensuring product recovery, restock, destock, or minor VM changes)
- Execute special pricing signage and promotional presentation adjustments during operating hours to align with overall product sell-through strategy.
Job Required Knowledge and Skills
- Established ability to produce sales results while minimizing loss.
- Proven supervisory skills, with capacity to deliver training material and assess retention.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Proven ability to perform independently with minimal supervision.
- Ability and willingness to travel overnight for training and/or business meetings.
- Ability to work varying days and hours, based on business needs, and maintain an excellent attendance record.
- Proven managerial skills.
What We Offer
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Retirement plan
- 100% employer-paid benefits, including short-term and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program
- Paid Time Off
- Generous employee discount and exclusive perks
- Ongoing career development, including discounted secondary education courses
- A collaborative, innovative, and team-oriented work environment
- Early Wage Access options to provide added financial flexibility
- Uncapped monthly bonus potential
Physical Demands & Requirements
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to occasionally climb a ladder and work with hands overhead.
- Ability to constantly stand on shift.
- Ability to frequently walk on shift.
- Ability to frequently hear and communicate verbally with customers, employees, and other personnel.
- Ability to frequently visually observe the store and read written or digital information.
- Ability to frequently operate a computer and mobile Point-of-Sale system, as well as maneuver related software programs.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. For inquiries related to reasonable accommodations, please contact HR@Lids.com
Reports to:
- District Sales Manager
- #INDNWSWS1
Additional Information
Employment Requirements
Candidates must possess the experience, skills, physical abilities, and qualifications, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform the essential duties of the role and must be able to meet all applicable employment standards. Legal authorization to work in the applicable country of employment is a condition of employment for this position. Current or future employment-based visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Notice to Applicants
In connection with your application, we collect information that identifies, reasonably relates to, or describes you (“Personal Information”). The categories of Personal Information we collect include your name, email address, mailing address, other contact information, employment history, and educational history. We collect and use this information for human resources and business management purposes, including identifying and evaluating candidates for employment or future contract opportunities, and maintaining recruiting and hiring records. Upon a conditional job offer, we may require additional Personal Information for business purposes and may conduct background checks as permitted by law. Where required by applicable law, including the Philadelphia Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance, any criminal history information will be evaluated using an individualized assessment that considers the nature of the offense, the time that has passed, and its relevance to the duties of the position. Additional information collected may include government-issued identification numbers, work authorization, emergency contact information, criminal record information, and demographic data used for analytics and compliance.
Need Accessibility Assistance?
Applicants who require accessibility assistance to submit an employment application may email hr@lids.com. A member of our Talent team will respond as soon as reasonably possible. This email address is only for individuals seeking reasonable accommodation when applying for a career at Lids.