Virtual Operations Manager Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Leverage your Retail Management experience in a new way! Winmark Corporation is a nationally recognized franchisor of Once Upon A Child®, Plato’s Closet®, Play It Again Sports®, Music Go Round® and Style Encore®. Support our Franchisees by traveling (30% travel) to offer In-Store Support and help have a positive impact to communities throughout North America. Winmark offers fantastic benefits at great rates and work/life harmony. At Winmark you will discover what it’s like to work for a company where taking care of our people is genuinely a top priority – where we seek out those looking for a career, not just a job. You will work in collaboration with others who are passionate about cultivating strong relationships while making a sustainable impact on the world. 

The Play It Again Sports and Music Go Round Field Operations Manager role is on-site at Winmark’s Plymouth, Minnesota location, with travel to franchise store locations. Annual salary is $65,000 - $90,000 DOQ, plus discretionary profit-sharing and a great benefits package.

POSITION PURPOSE

Provide world class support to all franchisees within an assigned region. This includes providing business operations consulting in the form of constructive feedback to franchisees with a focus on improved operational and financial performance of each franchise location as well as continued region and brand growth.

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Conduct onsite and virtual store visits, in addition to other support and communication methods, to work closely with franchisees to execute sound operational strategies by following the brand standards and model as outlined in their franchise agreement. Provide verbal and written documentation relating to all operational and financial issues.  
• Perform a comprehensive analysis of franchisees’ business to identify problems, and act as the primary contact for communication to ensure compliance. Provide evaluation and education to franchisees relating to their business results individually and with comparison to system wide performance.  May participate in and conduct region meetings.
• Ensure the monitoring, management, and adherence to financial and legal responsibilities (such as brand standards, ongoing fees, renewals, etc.) of designated franchisees; serve as the liaison with relevant corporate staff to achieve desired outcome
• Track all pertinent store support activities in CRM for assigned region to ensure store support expectations and documentation.
• Promote Winmark’s mission to provide Resale for Everyone® and foster productive working relationships with franchisees, as well as serve as a liaison between the various departments within the corporate office and franchisees.
• Inform manager of issues requiring immediate attention, and keep management informed of ongoing status of entire region (i.e. assessment of concept expansion, store profit, educational needs, and problem areas) through periodic reports.
• Participate in training for franchisees including the development of curriculum and ongoing assessment of program. Attend and participate in leading sessions during the annual conference.
• Provide assistance with special projects as assigned (i.e. conference planning, workshop development, publication design).

QUALIFICATIONS

• 4-year degree in business management or related field required, or equivalent experience.
• 4+ years of prior retail management, with merchandising and inventory management experience.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, along with strong organizational, and time management skills required.  Must be able to work independently.
• Must display a high degree of professionalism, confidentiality, ethical standards, tact, and diplomacy in all interactions with franchisees.
• Experience in P&L, balance sheet, and/or financial analysis is beneficial.
• Approximately 30% travel required.
• Must have valid driver’s license, ability to travel in United States and Canada.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Stationary position requiring approximately 6 hours per day at a desk and computer terminal when at the office. Freedom to get up and move around as required. 
• Must be able to stand for lengthy periods of time when visiting franchisees (6-8 hours).
• Lifting not to exceed 40 lbs. unassisted.
• Activities include bending, reaching, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, talking, hearing, and visual acuity requirements conducive to an office environment. 
• Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions. 

In exchange for your talent, Winmark offers rich health and welfare benefits such as a low premium, low deductible health plan, dental insurance, company-paid life and short-term disability insurance, generous paid time off, profit sharing, 401(k) retirement plan, and more. Open doors, relationships and taking care of our people are essentials of the Winmark culture; we offer career pathing, development opportunities and promote from within. Looking to surround yourself by people that help you become your best you, then let’s connect!