What does a retail operation manager do?

A retail operation manager is an individual who is responsible for managing the daily operations of retail stores while maintaining their physical space tidy and organized. Retail operation manager must ensure proper staffing at all stores as well as train employees to enhance their job performance and retention. They are required to conduct inventory analysis to ensure optimal stock levels. Retail operation managers must also visit retail locations so that they can evaluate the sales performance and level of customer satisfaction of each store.
Retail operation manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real retail operation manager resumes:
- Work to build and maintain Client/Retailer partnerships while managing ongoing client goals and KPI objectives.
- Manage photo lab operations in multi-unit retail locations throughout multiple geographies.
- Manage day-to-day store operations including inventory management, sales generation, and payroll.
- Manage scheduling and payroll for team; conduct performance evaluations, promotions and terminations when necessary.
- Manage the day-to-day oversight of funding requirements for vendors, retailers and wholesalers using company sponsor software.
- Provide leadership and direction to facility management and program owners while motivating and interacting with employees to achieve continuous improvement.
- Advance to increasingly responsible positions, culminating in management role with full oversight of store operations.
- Monitor KPI's and adjust the focus of improvement efforts as necessary to meet target goals.
- Monitor all orders, shipments, service, inventory, and points of sale (POS) to maximize open-to-buy.
- Process information/merchandise through German POS register system.
- Prepare sales and customer relations reports by analyzing and categorizing sales information; identifying and investigating customer complaints and service suggestions.
- Train all staff in HACCP rules and regualtions.
- Verse in HACCP and OSHA policies and procedures, with experience in successful audit compliance and report/investigation procedures).
- Increase the ROI by professionalizing the purchase procedures
- Detail-Orient, efficient and organize professional with extensive experience in accounting system QuickBooks and Microsoft office.
Retail operation manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Retail Operation Managers are proficient in POS, Retail Operations, and Payroll. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.
We break down the percentage of Retail Operation Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- POS, 14%
Retail IT Lead - monitor and coordinate all IT projects impacting Retail Stores, including POS, AS400, RTR initiatives.
- Retail Operations, 11%
Oversee Retail Operations-wide efforts to increase effectiveness and/or efficiency enabling the organization to achieve its strategic goals.
- Payroll, 9%
Managed scheduling and payroll for team; conducted performance evaluations, promotions and terminations when necessary.
- Store Sales, 8%
Developed innovative and effective marketing programs; exceeding store sales quotas.
- Retail Store, 8%
Support 10 retail stores operational needs including banking, inventory, maintenance and corporate communication.
- Loss Prevention, 8%
Developed and implemented new loss prevention methods which resulted in reduction in shrinkage and improvement in over-all team performance.
"pos," "retail operations," and "payroll" are among the most common skills that retail operation managers use at work. You can find even more retail operation manager responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a retail operation manager to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Additionally, a retail operation manager resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "oversee creation and implementation of operations, communications, training, loss prevention, maintenance and safety processes for stores. "
Leadership skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling retail operation manager duties is leadership skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." According to a retail operation manager resume, here's how retail operation managers can utilize leadership skills in their job responsibilities: "provided leadership and direction throughout the launch of the 7-11 retail business. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain retail operation manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a retail operation manager rely on this skill, as "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what retail operation managers do: "resolved customer complaints regarding sales and service. "
Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for a retail operation manager to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what retail operation managers relies on this skill, since "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." How this skill relates to retail operation manager duties can be seen in an example from a retail operation manager resume snippet: "improved pos transaction times and store layout displays. "
The three companies that hire the most retail operation managers are:
- Ulta Beauty83 retail operation managers jobs
- Land O'Lakes12 retail operation managers jobs
- Apple6 retail operation managers jobs
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Retail operation manager vs. Manager
Managers are responsible for a specific department, function, or employee group. They oversee their assigned departments and all the employees under the department. Managers are responsible that the department they are handling is functioning well. They set the department goals and the steps they must take to achieve the goals. They are also in charge of assessing the performance of their departments and their employees. Additionally, managers are responsible for interviewing prospective candidates for department vacancies and assessing their fit to the needs of the department. Managers also set the general working environment in the department, and they are expected to ensure that their employees remain motivated.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a retail operation manager are more likely to require skills like "retail operations," "store sales," "food handling," and "operational procedures." On the other hand, a job as a manager requires skills like "customer service," "food safety," "management," and "powerpoint." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
On average, managers reach similar levels of education than retail operation managers. Managers are 0.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Retail operation manager vs. Co-manager
A co-manager's role is to supervise business operations and perform administrative tasks as support to a manager. One of the primary functions of a co-manager is to delegate tasks of team members and arrange schedules. They also evaluate progress, produce the necessary documentation, maintain a record of data, identify issues and opportunities, and assist in coordinating with other employees. A co-manager may also have the task of hiring and training new workforce members, enforcing policies and regulations at all times.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that retail operation manager responsibilities requires skills like "retail operations," "food handling," "operational procedures," and "store management." But a co-manager might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "food safety," "perform routine maintenance," and "basic math."
In general, co-managers achieve similar levels of education than retail operation managers. They're 3.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for retail operation managers in the next 3-5 years?
Retail operation manager vs. Manager, center operations
The duties of a manager of center operations depend on one's industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing business operations, setting targets, assessing the workforce's performance, and performing corrective measures on any issues or concerns. Moreover, there are also instances where they have to produce progress reports, devise strategies for optimal business performance, delegate tasks, and even manage the budget. As a manager, it is crucial to lead and encourage the team to reach goals and sales targets while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, retail operation managers are more likely to have skills like "pos," "retail operations," "payroll," and "store sales." But a manager, center operations is more likely to have skills like "infrastructure," "osha," "standard operating procedure," and "quality standards."
When it comes to education, managers, center operations tend to earn similar degree levels compared to retail operation managers. In fact, they're 3.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Retail operation manager vs. Store manager
A store manager is responsible for monitoring the daily operations, making sure of its smooth and efficient performance with the best services provided to the customers. Store managers' duty also includes tracking the budget of the store to ensure that all expenses are meeting the sales goals. A store manager must also be able to plan and share strategies to boost sales performance and provide the needed support for the employees by communicating with them regularly, listening on suggestions, and taking necessary actions for complaints as required.
Types of retail operation manager
Updated January 8, 2025











