How to hire a senior store manager

How to hire a senior store manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step senior store manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a senior store manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new senior store manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The senior store manager hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A senior store manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, senior store managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of senior store manager salaries for various roles:

   Type of Senior Store Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Senior Store Manager	Top executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and organizations.	$30-73
   Regional Training Manager	A regional training manager focuses on improving and upskilling employees of a company located in different regions. The regional training manager works with employees, provides assessments, evaluations, and determinations on what areas need improvement and development... Show more	$18-39
   Retail Operation Manager	A retail operation manager is a professional 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... Show more	$22-59

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Store Sales
   • Direct Reports
   • Bank Deposits
   • Store Management
   • Customer Service
   • Payroll
   • Cash Management
   • Retail Environment
   • Loss Prevention
   • Sales Associates
   • Retail Store
   • Multi-Unit
   • Store Locations
   • Customer Relations

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Create implementation plans to support execution of Starbucks initiatives to achieve both operational excellence and business results.
   • Implement solutions for various technical, management, and POS issues of rapidly expanding start- up company.
   • Train staff on RPOS and POS equipment, products, guest service, resort information and sales techniques.
   • Prepare sales and customer relations reports by analyzing and categorizing sales information; identifying and investigating customer complaints and service suggestions.
   • Analyze stylist performance weekly and schedule base on individual KPIs and needs of the business.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your senior store manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A senior store manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, senior store managers' average salary in kentucky is 53% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level senior store managers earn 58% less than senior-level senior store managers.
   • Certifications. A senior store manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a senior store manager's salary.

   Average senior store manager salary

   $99,759yearly

   $47.96 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level senior store manager salary

   $64,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a senior store manager job description

   A senior store manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a senior store manager job description:

   Senior store manager job description example

   * Total Rewards Philosophy: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Wellbeing plans
   * Paid Time Off and Floating Holidays
   * DEI and Volunteer Hours provided to support your passion!
   * Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
   * Tuition Assistance Program
   * Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
   * Employees can purchase from our portfolio of brands at discounted prices
   * 401 (k) Company Match: eligible after 1,000 cumulative hours
   
   OUTGROWN YOUR OWN BACKYARD? COME PLAY IN OURS.
   
   At Columbia, we're as passionate about the outdoors as you are. And while our gear is available worldwide, we're proud to be based in the Pacific Northwest, where natural wonders are our playground.
   
   Every product we make and every task we undertake is inspired by the famous words of our founder Gert Boyle: "It's perfect. Now make it better." As pioneers of relentless improvement, we are constantly evolving.
   
   We believe the outdoors is ours to protect and strive to keep our planet healthy. We believe in empowering people to experience the outdoors to the fullest.
   
   And we believe in you.
   
   ABOUT THE POSITION
   
   With over 430 retail stores worldwide, our Store Leadership Teams are essential to our business. From ensuring effective store operations, strategies, and procedures, to guiding and developing team members, our Store Leadership Teams help create memorable customer experiences while supporting and helping drive the company's mission of "Connecting Active People with Their Passions."
   
   As the Store Manager, you will be a leader that plans and directs day-to-day operations of the store aimed to develop strategies to improve customer service, drive store sales, increase profitability, execute marketing and promotional directives that will increase sales and grow our existing customer base. This role is responsible for maintaining high store standards, fostering a positive environment, forecasting staffing needs and developing a recruiting strategy. The Store Manager develops a diverse team, associates and keyholders, to be prepared to successfully obtain their career goals and company goals.
   
   HOW YOU'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
   
   * Leads the store team to develop, evaluate and coach a diverse staff as necessary to maintain a high level of service and quality to meet customer experience expectations.
   * Inspires, educates, guides and develops diverse associates and keyholders to meet short- and long-range growth plans/career paths within the store, field and general office.
   * Delivers on operating budgets and manages expense control within division guidelines to deliver positive results and meet profitability expectations.
   * Ensures accuracy of all functions related to store operations to include both Front and Back of House Operations.
   * Performs timely completion of all recordkeeping associated with applicants, new hires, payroll, performance reviews, coaching, disciplinary actions and terminations.
   * Maintains appropriate inventory levels through effective replenishment, organization, shrink control and communication.
   * Communicates regularly with Area/District Manager providing relevant market information and employee successes and challenges.
   
   YOU HAVE
   
   * Bachelor's or master's degree, or applicable certification or equivalent experience
   * 5 years functional experience
   * Experience managing individual contributors and a department or has acted as a lead
   * Strong problem-solving skills; ability to resolve technical, operational and organizational problems and drive decisions that impact finances, efficiency and effectiveness of the store
   * Skill operating a Point of Sales (POS) system, and various software packages
   
   JOB CONDITIONS
   
   * Frequently in a more active environment (i.e., requires ability to constantly move about) that can be physical or strenuous in nature (frequently adjusting/moving items weighing up to 40 lbs.), may frequently use specialized equipment, may have exposure to dust and noise
   * Occasionally requires the ability to work in place
   * Ability to clearly communicate with others
   * Availability to work a flexible, often changing retail schedule to support needs of the business which may change seasonally and in response to business trends or forecasts
   
   Columbia Sportswear Company and our portfolio of brands, including Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear and pr Ana, know a thing or two about adventures. After all, we've been on one since 1938, working to perfect the art of enjoying the outdoors. Behind everything we make is an employee who's found that the greatest adventure starts with joining a company that strives to do the right thing.
   
   This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.
   
   At Columbia Sportswear Company (CSC), we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. CSC believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a global company, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find senior store managers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your senior store manager job on Zippia to find and recruit senior store manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit senior store managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new senior store manager

   Once you have selected a candidate for the senior store manager position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new senior store manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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