Operations Manager

Ulta Beauty, Inc.•Apex, NC

About The Position

The Operations Manager (OM) leads through Ulta Beauty’s mission, vision, and values to develop a high-performing team that consistently delivers store sales growth. The OM leads Task Associates and the Merchandise Manager and supports retail store operations, including realignments, planograms, and inventory life-cycle processes such as cycle counts, damages, testers, returns to vendors, destroy-in-field processing, and inventory adjustments. The role drives store performance through sales and inventory results, operational compliance, talent acquisition and development, and adherence to procedures and standards. It calls for operational excellence, a results-oriented approach, adaptability in complex situations, and the ability to lead, influence, and develop a team. The OM supports the store’s retail and service sales, guest loyalty, payroll, omni-channel, and shrink goals; manages operational workload and expenses; and reviews financial and operational reporting. The role also supports guest service, including makeup applications, skincare analysis, and product demonstrations. The OM is responsible for hiring and developing talent, fostering an inclusive and engaged team, ensuring training and coaching, building vendor partnerships, and coordinating operational work and inventory. The position requires a flexible full-time schedule, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, with availability for Sunday and Monday shifts, as well as attendance at corporate business meetings and conferences.

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 experience, 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, 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 good judgment in ambiguous situations, and remain flexible and adaptable.
Availability for a flexible full-time schedule that includes days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, including Sundays and Mondays.
Ability to attend corporate business meetings and conferences.
Ability to meet the position’s 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 related to retail and service sales, guest loyalty, payroll, omni-channel, and retail shrink.
Drive profitability through operational excellence, sales growth, and expense control.
Use forecasts and payroll budgets to support scheduling and workload completion, communicating store needs to the General Manager.
Review and respond promptly to financial and operational reporting, store visit results, and audits.
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, and services and their ingredients and benefits.
Maintain regular attendance and hold store associates accountable to attendance policies.
Attract, hire, and retain diverse talent and address staffing needs and open positions.
Build an engaged team through collaboration, honest communication, and prioritization of work.
Create an inclusive environment that encourages associate growth and engagement.
Support professional development through training, feedback, coaching, performance reviews, succession planning, and individual development plans.
Participate in ongoing brand and category training and ensure direct reports do the same.
Establish vendor partnerships to support shipment and planogram expectations.
Model operational excellence by working with the leadership team, setting priorities, providing direction, and sharing best practices.
Execute the Guest Engagement Leader program through business ownership, coaching, and leadership of a helpful guest experience.
Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, standards, and dress code.
Oversee operational focuses, including ad sets, visual sets, planograms, realignments, and inventory life-cycle processes.
Use company scheduling tools to adjust schedules and manage attendance during manager-on-duty shifts.
Use company task-management tools to prioritize and complete store 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 by enforcing 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 reports as needed.
Support continuous improvement by encouraging adoption of company initiatives and technology and ensuring store tasks are completed.
Communicate business trends, opportunities, events, operational challenges, merchandise needs, and competitive information to field leadership.
Work a flexible full-time schedule, including days, evenings, weekends, holidays, and shifts on Sundays and Mondays.
Attend corporate business meetings and conferences.