(USA) Optical Manager, Non-Certified – Sam’s Club

Walmart • Portage, MI

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Optical Manager leads the optical department’s sales, merchandising, pricing, inventory, and seasonal execution. The role uses sales trends, member needs, community demographics, local economic patterns, competitive pricing, and operational reports to guide assortments and improve financial performance. The manager builds departmental visibility through community outreach and represents the optical department in community programs and internal and cross-functional initiatives.

The manager sets service standards and oversees member consultations for eyewear and contact lenses, measurements, fittings, adjustments, repairs, inspections, order processing, and contact lens education under applicable optometric supervision. The role maintains confidential and compliant records, supports quality assurance, addresses complex optical issues, and ensures equipment is calibrated, clean, and ready for use. It also coordinates with laboratories, suppliers, and optometrists on order status, product updates, troubleshooting, and corrective actions.

The role leads and develops the optical team through hiring, training, coaching, performance management, recognition, and workflow planning. It supports credential and licensure pathways, renewals, and apprentice optician sponsorship as required by state rules. The manager also supports doctor and telehealth services by overseeing appointment workflows, pre-testing, contact lens insertion and removal documentation, and payment collection as applicable under contracted optometric services.

The Optical Manager ensures compliance with HIPAA, optical regulations, company policies, and safety protocols; maintains audit-ready records and practices; manages shrink prevention, stock levels, receiving, and asset protection; and oversees equipment and work-area maintenance. The position models company values and ethics, builds stakeholder relationships, implements business solutions, and drives continuous improvement while putting members first.

The hourly wage range is $27.50–$39.50. Additional premiums of $0.35–$3.00 per hour may apply in specified circumstances. The position is based at the Sam’s Club location at 7021 S Westnedge Ave, Portage, Michigan.

Requirements

• Completion of two or more years of college; or one year of retail experience and one year of supervisory experience; or two years of general work experience, including one year of optical experience.
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent upon job entry or within 12 months of hire to sit for the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) exam.
• Meet the requirements to work as an Optical associate, including minimum age and any applicable qualifications, registration, certification, or licensure required by the optical organization or state boards of opticianry.
• Obtain ABO certification within 15 months.
• In states requiring licensure or registration, obtain state-required optician licensure within 18 months of hire or initial movement into Sam’s Optical, or within the applicable state-mandated training timeframe plus three months, whichever is longer.
• Maintain an NPI number and active state licensure where required by state regulations.
• Register and maintain Optician in Charge status where required by state regulations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with insurance processing and electronic health records.

Responsibilities

• Lead department sales growth through merchandising, pricing accuracy, inventory oversight, and seasonal execution.
• Forecast sales trends and align product assortments with member needs, community demographics, and local economic patterns.
• Monitor competitive pricing, use sales data to refine merchandising strategies, and improve revenue performance.
• Build departmental visibility through community outreach and represent the optical department in community and business initiatives.
• Establish service standards and ensure prompt, accurate resolution of member inquiries and concerns.
• Lead eyewear and contact lens consultations and oversee measurements, fittings, adjustments, repairs, inspections, and contact lens education under applicable optometric supervision.
• Maintain confidentiality and accurate documentation, including HIPAA and safety compliance records.
• Manage quality assurance, resolve complex optical issues under applicable optometric supervision, and maintain equipment calibration, cleanliness, and readiness.
• Hire, train, coach, develop, and manage the performance of the optical team; foster an inclusive, accountable, and collaborative culture.
• Assign duties to optimize workflow and support associate skill development, certification, licensure, and credential renewal.
• Ensure apprentice opticians have sponsorship as required by state regulations and provide development pathways.
• Oversee accurate optical measurements, including pupillary distance, position of wear, and multifocal or progressive lens parameters, and ensure consistent use of manual and digital tools.
• Ensure high-quality frame adjustments, repairs, final eyewear inspections, and prism verification under applicable optometric supervision.
• Troubleshoot non-adapt cases under applicable optometric supervision and coordinate with laboratories, suppliers, and optometrists on job status, product updates, and corrective actions.
• Direct eyewear and contact lens order processing, trial lens inventory control, and equipment maintenance and calibration protocols under applicable optometric supervision.
• Monitor equipment performance, guide troubleshooting, and coordinate repairs or replacements.
• Support doctor and telehealth services through appointment scheduling workflows, pre-testing procedures, accurate contact lens insertion and removal documentation, and payment collection as applicable under contracted optometric services.
• Promote use of optical technologies to improve accuracy, efficiency, and member experience.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, optical regulations, company policies, and safety protocols; analyze performance reports and implement corrective actions to maintain audit-ready standards.
• Manage shrink prevention, stock levels, receiving procedures, inventory protection, asset protection, quality assurance reviews, and optical work-area and equipment maintenance.
• Prepare and use operational reports to guide decisions and align departmental work with organizational goals.
• Build stakeholder relationships, support business solutions, adapt to changing demands, and drive continuous improvement.
• Model company policies, values, ethics, and integrity; develop and mentor others; and deliver results while prioritizing members.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and performance-based bonus awards.
• Medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• 401(k), stock purchase, and company-paid life insurance.
• Paid time off, parental leave, family care leave, bereavement leave, jury duty leave, and voting leave; PTO and/or PPTO may also be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Company discounts.
• Military Leave Pay.
• Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement.
• Live Better U company-paid education benefit, including eligible programs from high school completion through bachelor’s degrees, English Language Learning, and short-form certificates; tuition, books, and fees are paid.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED