• Job Description

  Req#: 1499

  Powell's Books flagship Burnside location is seeking to fill an Operations Manager position.

  Powell’s City of Books is known worldwide as a premier independent bookstore and an icon in the Portland community.
  
  Operations Managers are critical to the function of day-to-day store operations. They work as a well-trained team to facilitate a safe and comfortable shopping environment for Powell’s customers. The job entails resolving customer service issues, employee support, staff scheduling, monitoring the sales floor, and agile problem solving.

  Beyond sales floor supervision, Operations Managers may also:

  • Participate in creating and providing staff training
  • Schedule and develop Powell’s store tour and special occasions program
  • Provide support for in-store and offsite events
  • Assist in supply management for the store

  This position is ideal for people who like to “do-it-all” and enjoy learning, growing, and creating in an ever-changing work environment. This is a great opportunity to be part of a cornerstone in the Portland community and help further develop your personal skillset.

  We’re committed to fostering a culture and environment of inclusion, empowerment, and respect – a place where everyone can show up fully as themselves and do their best work every day.

  Here's some other benefits Powell’s provides full-time employees:

  • Generous healthcare plan (medical, vision, and dental)
  • Education benefit
  • Childcare subsidy
  • Substantial employee discount that is also available to your significant other, children, parents, and siblings

  Pay: $23.08 per hour or more, depending on experience.

  Schedule: The schedule is to be determined, but will include both weekend days with shifts as early as 10am or ending as late as 9:30pm.

  Closing Date: Sunday, June 15th, 2025

  Additional Information: Please include a cover letter with a brief description of relevant skills and experience and the reason why you’re interested in the position.

  Position Title: Operations Manager
  Location: Burnside
  Group: X5-B
  Date: 3/24

  
  Position Summary:
  This position is part of the management team at our flagship City of Books location on Burnside St. in downtown Portland. This is a high volume, fast paced environment with a store team of over 100 employees. The Operations Manager works independently and as a part of the Operations Team to oversee retail floor operations. Responsibilities include providing an exceptional in-store customer experience, ensuring a safe and secure retail environment, supervising staff on the retail floor, and coordinating Burnside’s day-to-day retail floor functions. This position also requires a substantial amount of time spent on the floor as a Manager on Duty supporting store operations, responding to customer service calls, supporting staff, providing incident response support and mentoring staff and peers. Reports to Operations Team Manager or Senior Operations Manager.

  Essential Functions:

  • Takes an active role in the ongoing development of the Operations and Manager on Duty teams by providing guidance, mentoring and peer feedback.
  • Facilitates interdepartmental communication and staff-management relations.
  • Fosters and maintain effective relationships with all employees and managers, including acting as a resource and educating staff on operations, procedures, and decisions.
  • Educates and coaches employees on store and company procedures, expectations, and standards. Initiates and participates in performance management through feedback, mentoring, acknowledging accomplishments, and when necessary, disciplinary action regarding performance.
  • Acts as point person for all departments when no representatives are on hand. Acts as a managerial contact for all locations when primary manager is not available.
  • Shares responsibility for the efficient functioning of the store including prioritizing workflow, assigning tasks, and opening and closing the building. Takes responsibility in emergencies, responds to safety and security issues and facilities problems.
  • Performs Manager on Duty functions including, but not limited to: supervision of all sales floor activity; resolution of the full spectrum of customer service calls; coordination of daily schedule coverage; representing the company to customers, vendors, and media; coordinating with other department managers, Facilities, Computer Support and others as needed.
  • Acts as a change agent in the store. Helps establish policies, procedures, standards and controls, and helps to convey changes to staff. Ensures company compliance goals are met at Burnside.
  • Takes initiative in advancing new and on-going projects and ideas within the team and the store.
  • Supports and demonstrates a culture of passionate bookselling including active engagement with customers.
  • May supervise employees and conduct performance evaluations.
  • May be assigned specific team tasks, portfolio and/or committee responsibilities.
  • Other duties as needed.

  Requirements / Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated excellence in judgment, customer service, and communication skills.
  • Leadership skills necessary to supervise, lead, and train others, including a demonstrated ability to assume a leadership role in crisis situations.
  • Demonstrated ability to oversee and integrate all aspects of the store’s functioning under all conditions.
  • Ability to multi-task, set priorities, and effectively manage work in a high stress environment.
  • Strong analytical and problem solving skills. Definite attention to detail.
  • Ability to work independently and as a member of a team, with demonstrated team building and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to learn and retrieve necessary information relating to emergency and legal matters regarding the store (theft, exclusion from the premises, fire, bomb threats, etc.).
  • Must obtain and maintain First Aid, CPR, AED, and DPSST certification.
  • Demonstrated ability to make important decisions independently.
  • Demonstrated conflict management and resolution skills.
  • Demonstrated teamwork, team building and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent computer skills, with a strong desire to learn more.
  • Absolute ability to maintain confidential information.
  • Satisfactory results from criminal background check required.
  • Love of books and reading.
  • Physical requirements – Group K.

• About the company

  Powell's Books is a chain of bookstores in Portland, Oregon, and its surrounding metropolitan area.

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