Operations Manager

Ulta Beauty, Inc. • Hampton, VA

15d

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 management of retail store operations, including realignments, planograms, and inventory lifecycle processes. The role drives store performance through sales, inventory results, and operational compliance; talent acquisition, training, and development; and adherence to standard operating procedures and compliance standards. It calls for operational excellence, results orientation, adaptability in complex situations, and the ability to lead, influence, and develop a team.

The OM promotes accountability for store sales, service, guest loyalty, payroll, omnichannel, and shrink goals; supports scheduling and workload planning; reviews business and operational results; and helps deliver guest service through product demonstrations and beauty services. The role also recruits and develops talent, builds an inclusive and engaged team, coaches associates, partners with vendors, and leads operational priorities.

The OM ensures compliance with company policies and standards and oversees store workload, merchandising, inventory, supply ordering, safety, cash management, and loss prevention. The position requires a flexible full-time schedule, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, and availability for shifts on Sundays and Mondays. The role also requires attendance at corporate business meetings and conferences. Work involves continuous mobility and object handling, frequent bending and other movements, continuous lifting or moving of up to 25 pounds, and frequent use of computers, telephonic devices, and office supplies.

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 and leading through 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, exercise good judgment in ambiguous situations, and remain flexible and adaptable.
• Ability to work a flexible full-time schedule, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, and shifts on Sundays and Mondays.
• Ability to attend corporate business meetings and conferences.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Promote accountability for the store’s retail and service sales, guest loyalty, payroll, omnichannel, and shrink goals.
• Drive profitability through operational excellence, sales growth, and expense control.
• Use store forecasts and payroll budgets to support scheduling, communicate staffing needs to the General Manager, and complete store workload on time and within budget.
• Review and respond to financial and operational reports, including store visit and audit results.
• Use company programs, tools, and resources to improve store results.
• Perform makeup applications, skincare analyses, and product demonstrations for guests.
• Stay informed about industry trends, products, services, ingredients, and benefits to better serve guests.
• 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 team through collaboration, communication, and prioritization of work.
• Create an inclusive environment that supports associate growth and engagement.
• Support professional development through training, feedback, coaching, performance reviews, succession planning, and development plans.
• Participate in ongoing training, including brand and category education, and ensure direct reports do the same.
• Build professional 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, friendly guest experience and meet store performance goals.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, standards, and dress code.
• Oversee operational execution, including ad sets, visual sets, planograms, realignments, and inventory lifecycle processes.
• Use company scheduling tools to adjust schedules and manage attendance during manager-on-duty shifts.
• Use company task management tools to prioritize 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 through workplace safety, inventory control, cash management, and loss prevention practices.
• Execute day-to-day inventory control, including reporting theft and handling damages, hazardous waste, adjustments, and returns.
• 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.

Benefits

• Eligible full-time associates receive paid time off and health, dental, vision, life, and 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