Operations Manager

Ulta Beauty, Inc.•Fort Wayne, IN

About The Position

The Operations Manager (OM) leads through Ulta Beauty’s mission, vision, and values to develop a high-performing team and support top-line sales growth. The OM leads Task Associates and the Merchandise Manager and supports retail store operations, including merchandising realignments, planograms, and inventory life-cycle processes. The role focuses on performance, people, and process: achieving sales, inventory, and operational-compliance goals; attracting, training, and developing talent; and ensuring standard operating procedures and compliance standards are followed. It calls for operational excellence, a drive for results, adaptability in complex situations, and the ability to lead, influence, and develop a team. The OM oversees operational execution and store workload, supports scheduling and payroll goals, reviews business and audit reporting, and helps deliver a strong guest experience. The role also involves recruiting and developing associates, maintaining vendor partnerships, managing inventory and supplies, protecting company assets, and communicating business trends and operational needs to field leadership. The position requires a flexible full-time schedule, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, and availability for Sunday and Monday shifts.

Requirements

2–3+ 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 and leading through change; building collaborative relationships; and influencing a team.
Proficiency with basic technology, such as 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, use sound 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 to work shifts on Sundays and Mondays.
Ability to meet the described physical demands, including continuous store mobility and lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Promote accountability for store goals involving retail and service sales, guest loyalty, payroll, omni-channel performance, and retail shrink.
Drive profitability through operational excellence, sales growth, and expense control.
Use store forecasts and payroll budgets to support scheduling and workload completion, and communicate needs to the General Manager.
Review and respond to financial and operational reporting, store visit results, 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.
Maintain regular attendance and hold store associates accountable to the attendance policy.
Attract, hire, and retain diverse talent and address staffing needs and open positions.
Build an engaged, collaborative team and foster open communication and an inclusive environment.
Support professional development through training, feedback, coaching, performance reviews, succession planning, and individual development plans.
Participate in ongoing training, including brand and category education, and ensure direct reports do the same.
Establish vendor partnerships that support shipment and planogram expectations.
Model operational excellence alongside the leadership team by setting priorities, giving direction and support, and sharing best practices.
Execute the Guest Engagement Leader program and coach associates to deliver a helpful, friendly guest experience and achieve store performance goals.
Ensure store compliance with company policies, procedures, standards, and dress code.
Oversee operational execution, including ad sets, visual sets, planograms, realignments, and inventory life-cycle processes.
Use the 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.
Manage service, boutique, and store supply inventory and ordering within allocated budgets.
Protect company assets and minimize loss through workplace safety, inventory control, cash management, and loss-prevention standards.
Execute inventory control processes, including known theft, damages, hazardous waste, adjustments, and product returns, and 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 conditions to field leadership.
Attend corporate business meetings and conferences.