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
The District Sales Manager (DSM) is an inspiring field leader who supports and directs stores within a given geographic area to drive strategic product sell-through, deliver key business results, hire, and develop store associates. DSMs ensure that store operational principles are followed and that each store provides exceptional customer service by offering their expertise on Lids' products and services. DSMs are accountable for all aspects of their district performance.
PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
People & Training Development
- Manage the district's hiring strategy, including planning/pipeline needs, recruitment strategy, projected turnover, and leaves of absence. Develop Store Managers (SM) in the skills of recruiting and training to continually strengthen the talents and results in the market.
- Share role and behavior expectations and coordinate onboarding training programs 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 the success of the district and Lids overall.
- Contribute to a respectful and inclusive team environment by establishing supportive working relationships and adhering to Lids Brand Standards (e.g. company dress code, etc.)
- Perform people-related actions to update team member personnel information, including completing wages, executing job changes or transfers, and other documentation.
- Hold SMs accountable for managing and developing their store team.
- Address all employee concerns or issues and administer the progressive steps of discipline, including knowing when to partner with internal support (e.g. HR, RD, etc.) to take appropriate action.
- Drive team engagement through impactful store visits and follow-up by ensuring district-wide store management team is provided recognition, gap assessment, ongoing training, and continuous check-ins, including performance management and documentation when relevant, to support and reinforce career and personal growth.
- Provide consistent, documented appraisal of store's performance and work to give feedback on areas of strength and opportunity while keeping in line with Company objectives.
- Collaborate across districts and/or regions and ensure compliance of all established company policies, procedures, and guidelines including, but not limited to, safekeeping of company inventory, funds, and property.
Customer Experience
- Ensure that stores are delivering exceptional customer service, achieving key performance indicators (KPIs), and sales target by conducting a minimum of bimonthly store visits.
- Create a "selling culture" within stores by training and coaching on selling techniques with all associates and provide feedback and documentation following each store visit.
- Resolve customer feedback and address issues, 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.
- Drive customer participation in special offers such as Access Pass, Fanatics Sportsbook, etc. by ensuring all associates are educated on program details.
Operations
- Manage district's compliance within the scheduling and payroll process to align with budget, policies, procedures, and applicable law.
- Hold SMs accountable to planning, preparing, and managing the schedule according to labor requirements, availability, safety requirements, inventory management and budget considerations to maintain efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
- Utilize retail management tools and analyze financial reports to identify and address trends and issues in district performance.
- Manage business disruptions and provide operational continuity (e.g. store closures, employee absenteeism, schedule/wages, operating hours impact, etc.). Perform work/essential functions of subordinates as needed.
- Manage operations-focused company-level directives, promotions, and initiatives (e.g. from Lids HQ).
- Understand and adhere to people safety policies and procedures to maintain a safe work environment.
- Ensure store technology and equipment is maintained as instructed – MPOS, Lids Custom, etc. by verifying continued functionality, facilitating periodic updates, or ordering repair or maintenance 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.
- Support in performing inventory audits as needed to confirm inventory accuracy. Research store discrepancies and analyze reports. Respond to all store level issues in a timely manner.
- Manage and direct the required store audit frequency through communication and scheduling with the Regional Director, Regional Loss Prevention Investigator, and Store Manager.
- Support and manage new store openings within the market as needed, including leading recruitment strategy, visual merchandising, and partnership with vendors.
- Ensure proper cash management practices, including accurate open and close of the till and consistent counterfeit protection practices and bank drops.
Product & Inventory Management
- Oversee district's product strategy, including supervision and oversite of receiving, processing, merchandising, and exiting.
- Monitor and manage sell-through by monitoring store product levels and ensuring inventory accuracy.
- Ensure adherence to visual brand standards, inclusive of optimal layout and visual merchandising (VM) or product presentation strategy, window activations, hardware flips, mannequin flips, and seasonal or weekly merchandise changes.
- Monitor execution of special pricing signage and promotional presentation adjustments during operating hours to align with overall product sell-through strategy.
JOB REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Four-year degree in business or a related field and one-year relevant experience or; two-year degree in a related field and at least two years of relevant experience or; three years of relevant experience.
- Established ability to produce sales results, while minimizing loss.
- Proven aptitude to perform independently with minimal supervision.
- Proven supervisory skills, with capacity to deliver training material and assess retention.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate verbally in a clear, audible, and professional manner.
- Ability to operate a computer, as well as maneuver relative software programs.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to work varying days and hours, based on business needs, and maintain an excellent attendance record.
- Must possess a valid driver's license, certificate of auto insurance coverage, and the ability to drive an automobile.
- Extensive travel (up to 90%) in a given geographic area. Driving required for up to 100% of the daily work schedule.
- Ability and willingness to travel overnight for training and/or business meetings.
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 relative 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.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Retirement plan with company match
- 100% employer-paid benefits, including short-term and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program
- Paid Parental Leave
- Uncapped Monthly Bonus Potential
- Generous employee discount and exclusive perks
- Attractive paid time off package including holidays and floating holidays
- Ongoing career development and professional training, including discounted secondary education courses and certification reimbursement for select departments.
- A collaborative, innovative, and team-oriented work environment
- Early Wage Access options to provide added financial flexibility
REPORTS TO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Pay Transparency Statement The salary range for this position represents base pay only. The base pay offered will consider internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, scheduled hours, and experience, among other factors. A monthly store performance bonus may be provided as part of the compensation package depending on the employee's role and organizational level. In addition to base and bonus compensation, full-time employees are eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement plan, paid time off (PTO), and additional benefits such as pet insurance, family accidental and critical care benefits, and more. A cell phone stipend may be provided in certain geographical areas as required by law. This role is also eligible for a car and mileage allowance program.
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. Being legally authorized to work in the United States or Canada is a pre-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. Additional information collected may include government-issued identification numbers, work authorization, emergency contact information, and other employment-related information.
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.