Operations Manager

Ulta Beauty, Inc. • Columbus, OH

2d

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 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 items, and inventory adjustments. The role drives store performance through sales, inventory results, operational compliance, talent acquisition and development, standard operating procedures, and compliance standards. It calls for operational excellence, a results-oriented approach, the ability to lead through unexpected complexity, and the ability to influence and develop a team.

The OM oversees store performance, people, and processes. This includes supporting sales and service goals, guest loyalty, payroll and expense control; using financial and operational reports to identify opportunities; hiring, training, coaching, and developing associates; ensuring operational and policy compliance; and executing merchandising, inventory, scheduling, and workload processes. The role also performs makeup applications, skincare analysis, and product demonstrations, and works with store and field leadership, vendors, and associates to support business results and the guest experience.

The position requires a flexible full-time schedule that includes days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, with availability for Sunday and Monday shifts. Attendance at corporate business meetings and conferences is required. The work involves continuous mobility and object handling in the store, frequent bending and similar movements, and continuous lifting or moving of up to 25 pounds, as well as frequent computer and telephonic-device use.

The hourly pay range is $24.00–$31.00, with the opportunity for eligible associates to earn additional compensation under the company bonus plan. Full-time positions are eligible for paid time off and health, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits.

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, 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 to work shifts on Sundays and Mondays.
• Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including continuous store mobility, object coordination, 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, omnichannel, and retail shrink.
• Drive profitability through operational excellence, sales growth, and expense control.
• Support store scheduling using forecasts and payroll budgets, and communicate staffing and workload needs to the General Manager.
• Review and respond to financial and operational reporting, including store visit and audit results.
• Use company programs, tools, and resources to improve store results.
• 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 a diverse team, and address staffing needs and open positions.
• Build an engaged, collaborative team and foster an inclusive environment that supports associate growth.
• Support professional development through training, feedback, coaching, performance reviews, succession planning, and development plans.
• Participate in ongoing brand and category training and ensure direct reports do the same.
• Develop vendor partnerships that 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 and coach associates to deliver a helpful and friendly guest experience.
• Ensure 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 scheduling tools to adjust schedules and manage attendance during manager-on-duty shifts.
• Use task management tools 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 by enforcing workplace safety, inventory control, cash management, and loss-prevention procedures.
• Execute inventory-control processes and complete theft reporting as necessary.
• 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 information to field leadership.
• Attend corporate business meetings and conferences.

Benefits

• Eligible full-time associates receive paid time off.
• Eligible full-time associates receive health insurance.
• Eligible full-time associates receive dental insurance.
• Eligible full-time associates receive vision insurance.
• Eligible full-time associates receive life insurance.
• Eligible full-time associates receive disability benefits.
• Eligible associates may earn additional compensation under the company bonus plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed