Director of Retail & Distribution - Glacier National Park

Xanterra Travel Collection•Columbia Falls, MT

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides strategic and hands-on leadership for the day-to-day operation of all Glacier National Park retail outlets, including gift shops, general stores, and food and beverage grab-and-go operations located within retail locations. The position also oversees warehouse and supply chain operations, including the central distribution center and parkwide distribution truck operation. Responsible for the overall financial and operational performance of the department, including inventory control, merchandising, product availability, labor management, leadership development, guest service, and compliance with Public Health and National Park Service (NPS) concession requirements and company standards. This position works closely with the Corporate Retail team, including the Vice President of Retail and corporate buying staff, to ensure effective product selection and flow, appropriate inventory levels, consistent merchandising standards, and operational excellence throughout the retail operation. The Retail Director also collaborates with property leadership, Human Resources, Finance, Sustainability, vendors, suppliers, and other operational departments to achieve financial objectives, maintain contractual compliance, develop strong retail leaders, and deliver exceptional guest experience.

Requirements

Strong financial and analytical skills, including experience interpreting sales performance, cost of sales, labor, inventory, financial statements, budgets, and purchasing agreements.
Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships with managers, employees, corporate leadership, vendors, suppliers, business partners, and National Park Service Concessions personnel.
Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel, as well as computerized point-of-sale (POS), inventory management, and related retail systems.
Demonstrated ability to lead in a fast-paced, seasonal, and geographically dispersed operation while maintaining a strong commitment to safety, operational excellence, and Legendary Hospitality™.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and meet company requirements for operating company vehicles, including a satisfactory driving record with no more than one traffic violation within the previous three years.
Must also successfully complete and meet company standards for a pre-employment background check.
Minimum of five years of progressive retail management experience in a high volume, high-sales, multi-unit retail environment, with demonstrated experience leading managers and geographically dispersed operations.
Experience with food service operations, preferably including grab-and-go, coffee/specialty beverage, or other retail-based food and beverage concepts.
Experience with warehouse or distribution center operations, supply chain management, inventory control, receiving, product distribution, and logistics preferred.
Ability to regularly sit, stand, walk, bend, and navigate stairs and uneven surfaces in lodges, warehouse, food service, and outdoor environments.
Must be able to safely operate a company vehicle for extended periods and travel frequently between in-park locations.
Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds and assist with hands-on operational needs when necessary.
Must be able to work extended periods on their feet and adapt to varying weather and environmental conditions.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Retail, Hospitality, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, or a related field preferred.
Significant relevant management and operational experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Responsibilities

Provide overall leadership and hands-on oversight of retail operations at Many Glacier Hotel, Lake McDonald Lodge, Rising Sun Motor Inn, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, and Two Medicine Campstore, as well as associated warehouse, central distribution, and parkwide delivery operations.
Oversee two retail grab-and-go food operations located at Heidi’s and Two Medicine, including the barista and specialty coffee operation at Heidi’s, ensuring appropriate food safety, sanitation, product quality, and service standards.
Support Store Managers in achieving operational, financial, Legendary Hospitality™, merchandising, safety, sustainability, and contractual objectives.
Oversee distribution fleet operations, including the collection and transportation of cardboard recycling from park locations, ensuring materials are handled and disposed of in accordance with established safety, sustainability, and environmental practices.
Maintain a visible presence across retail locations, requiring regular travel throughout Glacier National Park, including drive times of up to five hours from the home office.
Participate in the development of the annual Retail operating and financial plan.
Monitor revenue, cost of sales, labor, inventory, productivity, and other key performance indicators; identify variances and implement corrective action as needed.
Ensure staffing levels and labor schedules support business demand while maximizing productivity and maintaining excellent guest service.
Partner with the General Manager and Corporate Retail team to develop and manage annual capital and CEA plans.
Lead inventory control processes across the Retail Department, including receiving, transfers, pricing, cash handling, shrink prevention, and inventory system accuracy.
Coordinate and oversee annual physical inventories.
Ensure consistent compliance with established inventory control policies and procedures.
Work with Corporate Retail, vendors, warehouse operations, and local suppliers to maintain appropriate product levels and timely distribution throughout the season.
Support the selection of high-quality merchandise that meets Xanterra, Corporate Retail, and NPS concession standards.
Ensure stores follow Corporate Visual Merchandising Standards and established merchandising best practices.
Monitor required product markups, pricing requirements, and other NPS retail compliance standards.
Maintain effective communication and professional relationships with Corporate Retail personnel, vendors, suppliers, and peers.
Ensure retail locations comply with applicable NPS Concessions Contract requirements, operating standards, and evaluation criteria.
Coordinate timely responses and corrective actions associated with Public Health inspections, NPS evaluations, and internal Retail Standards Reviews.
Ensure all required Corporate and NPS contractual reports, documentation, approval requests, and other required submissions are accurate, complete, and submitted within established deadlines.
Maintain a working knowledge of Corporate Retail policies, procedures, and standards and ensure consistent implementation throughout the department.
Partner with Human Resources to recruit, interview, select, and onboard seasonal retail employees and supervisors.
Train, develop, and support Store Managers and other retail leaders in building effective, engaged teams.
Ensure employee performance evaluations are completed accurately and on time.
Coordinate and support training related to guest service, merchandising, cash handling, inventory controls, safety, store cleanliness, operational standards, food safety standards, Training for Intervention ProcedureS (TIPS) barista training and Xanterra Core Values.
Address employee concerns professionally, consistently, and in partnership with Human Resources when appropriate.
Promote a culture of Legendary Hospitality™ throughout all retail locations.
Ensure guest concerns and service recovery opportunities are handled promptly, sincerely, and professionally.
Maintain retail and grab & go dining environments that are welcoming, clean, well stocked, visually appealing, and reflective of Glacier National Park and Xanterra standards.
Partner with Risk and Sustainability leadership to promote a strong culture of safety and environmental responsibility throughout Retail, Supply Chain and Distribution operations.
Ensure compliance with established safety policies and procedures, proactively identify and address workplace hazards, and reinforce employee accountability for safe work practices.
Support Xanterra’s environmental goals related to merchandise purchasing, packaging, transportation, waste reduction, product messaging, and operational practices.
Demonstrate and reinforce a consistent commitment to Xanterra’s safety and environmental standards.
Provide Retail leadership and operational input for store renovations, retrofits, capital improvements, equipment purchases, and other department projects.
Coordinate with Corporate Retail and property leadership from project development through implementation and completion.
Maintain professional and effective communication and collaboration with leadership, colleagues, and other operational departments.
Set a positive example for employees by consistently demonstrating a professional appearance, demeanor, and conduct appropriate to a senior leadership position.
Take initiative to participate in and support company, office, employee, and community events and activities, serving as an engaged representative of the organization.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.