Merchandise Manager

Ulta Beauty, Inc.•Wilmington, NC

11d

About The Position

The Merchandise Manager (MM) leads in alignment with Ulta Beauty’s mission, vision, and values and contributes to a high-performing team that delivers store sales growth. Reporting to the Operations Manager (OM), the MM guides Task Associates and supports retail store operations, including shipment, replenishment, omnichannel activity, price changes, and markdowns. The role focuses on business performance, people development, and adherence to operating processes and compliance standards, and calls for operational excellence, results orientation, and the ability to lead through unexpected complexity. The MM supports store performance by working toward sales, guest loyalty, payroll, omnichannel, and shrink goals; managing workload and expenses; reviewing financial and operational reports; and using company tools and programs to improve results. The role also includes serving guests through makeup applications, skincare analysis, and product demonstrations, and keeping current on relevant beauty products and trends. The MM helps attract, retain, and develop talent; fosters an inclusive and engaged team; coaches associates; and models operational excellence. The role ensures execution of store procedures and operational workload, supports inventory control and loss prevention, and communicates business trends, operational challenges, merchandise needs, and competitive information to field leadership. This is a full-time position with a flexible schedule that includes days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Shifts may begin at 5:00 a.m., and availability on Sundays and Mondays is required. The work involves continuous movement around the store and frequent handling of objects and merchandise, including lifting or moving up to 40 pounds.

Requirements

High school diploma is preferred.
1–2+ years of fast-paced retail management or other relevant work experience.
Financial management experience, including driving sales, interpreting reporting data, managing payroll budgets, and controlling expenses.
Retail management ability, including monitoring inventory, achieving operational excellence, driving a service culture, and executing merchandising directives.
Leadership experience attracting, developing, and motivating talent; adapting to change; building collaborative relationships; and leading and influencing a team.
Proficiency with basic technology, including point-of-sale systems, Microsoft Office programs, and Apple devices.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks.
Ability to react under pressure, exercise good judgment in ambiguous situations, and remain flexible and adaptable.
Ability to work a flexible full-time schedule that includes days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Availability for shifts beginning at 5:00 a.m. and shifts on Sundays and Mondays.

Responsibilities

Promote accountability for store goals related to retail and service sales, guest loyalty, payroll, omnichannel, and retail shrink.
Drive profitability through operational excellence, sales growth, and expense control.
Use store forecasts and payroll budgets to support scheduling, productivity, timely workload completion, and payroll goals; communicate scheduling needs to the General Manager.
Review and respond promptly to financial and operational reports, including store visit and audit results.
Use company programs, tools, and resources to improve store performance.
Perform makeup applications, skincare analysis, and product demonstrations for guests.
Stay informed about industry trends, products, services, ingredients, and benefits during work time.
Maintain regular attendance and hold store associates accountable to the attendance policy.
Attract, hire, and retain a diverse team; build engagement through collaboration, communication, and prioritization.
Support associate development through training, competency-based feedback, coaching, succession planning, and individual development plans.
Participate in ongoing training, including brand and category education.
Model operational excellence by leading by example, sharing best practices, setting priorities, and providing support.
Execute the Guest Engagement Leader program through business ownership, associate coaching, and a helpful, friendly guest experience.
Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, standards, and dress code.
Use the company scheduling tool to adjust schedules and manage attendance during manager-on-duty shifts.
Use the task management tool to prioritize and execute workload, including resets, pricing updates, inventory tasks, cleaning, and replenishment.
Ensure execution of shipment, replenishment, omnichannel, price changes, and markdowns.
Protect company assets and minimize loss by maintaining workplace safety, inventory control, cash management, and loss-prevention standards.
Execute inventory control processes involving known theft, damages, hazardous waste, adjustments, and product returns; complete theft reporting as needed.
Support adoption of company initiatives and technology, communicate expectations, and ensure store tasks are completed.
Communicate business trends, opportunities, events, operational challenges, merchandise needs, and competitive landscape to field leadership.