Outdoor Retail & Store Operations Manager
Posted by olympic outdoor center on 06/10/2026
Job Basics
Industry Sector: Bike, Outdoor, WaterSports
Job Categories: Retail - Management- Staff, Retail - Sales
Company Type: Apparel/SoftGoods, Events, HardGoods/Equipment, Recreation, Retailer, Retail, TravelandTourism
State: WA
City: port gamble
Country: United States
Required Experience: 3 - 5 years
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: $50 - $60,000
Required to Relocate: No
Required to Travel: No
Employee May Telecommute: No
Job Seeker Must Live Within: 25 miles
Job Description & Requirements
Retail Store Manager Job Description
Olympic Outdoor Center
Port Gamble, Washington
Position Type
Full-Time | Year-Round
Compensation
$25.00–$32.00 per hour, depending on experience
About Olympic Outdoor Center
Founded in 1986, Olympic Outdoor Center is Kitsap Peninsula's premier outdoor outfitter and adventure company. We provide kayak, bike, and paddleboard rentals, guided tours, instructional programs, retail sales, and outdoor experiences throughout the Pacific Northwest. Our mission is to inspire exploration through paddle, bike, and play.
As we celebrate our 40th year in business, we are seeking a Retail Store Manager to lead the daily operations of our Port Gamble retail store and support the continued growth of our outdoor recreation business.
Position Summary
The Retail Store Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Port Gamble retail store. This includes staff leadership, customer service, inventory management, merchandising, store presentation, and sales performance.
This is a hands-on leadership role. The ideal candidate enjoys working directly with customers, leading employees, solving problems, and creating an exceptional retail experience.
The Retail Store Manager works closely with company ownership and department managers to ensure the store remains organized, profitable, and aligned with Olympic Outdoor Center's mission and values.
Primary Responsibilities
Store Operations
- Oversee daily retail store operations.
- Open and close the store as required.
- Ensure the store remains clean, organized, safe, and professionally presented.
- Monitor sales performance and identify opportunities for growth.
- Maintain a positive and welcoming environment for customers.
Staff Leadership
- Supervise, support, and develop retail staff.
- Assist with employee hiring, onboarding, and training.
- Provide coaching, performance feedback, and accountability.
- Assist with scheduling and staffing coordination.
- Foster a positive, team-oriented workplace culture.
Inventory Management
- Maintain accurate inventory levels and inventory records.
- Receive and process incoming merchandise.
- Coordinate cycle counts and inventory audits.
- Monitor stock levels and recommend reorders.
- Assist with seasonal purchasing and product selection.
- Ensure products are accurately tagged, priced, and merchandised.
Customer Service & Sales
- Deliver exceptional customer service.
- Assist customers with product selection and trip planning.
- Resolve customer concerns professionally and effectively.
- Support sales growth through product knowledge and active customer engagement.
- Promote Olympic Outdoor Center classes, tours, rentals, and events.
Merchandising
- Maintain attractive and effective product displays.
- Implement seasonal merchandising strategies.
- Ensure pricing, signage, and displays are accurate and current.
- Support visual presentation consistent with the Olympic Outdoor Center brand.
Administrative Duties
- Assist with reporting and operational tracking.
- Communicate regularly with ownership and management.
- Support company policies, procedures, and operational standards.
- Participate in planning meetings and special projects.
Qualifications
Required
- Knowledge of kayaking, cycling, camping, or outdoor recreation products.
- Previous retail management experience.
- Strong customer service and communication skills.
- Experience managing inventory and receiving merchandise.
- Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop employees.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to lift and move kayaks and equipment weighing up to 60 pounds.
- Clean driving record and ability to operate company vehicles.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and basic computer systems.
Preferred
- Outdoor industry experience.
- Shopify or retail point-of-sale experience.
- Experience with merchandising and visual displays.
- Experience with scheduling software and workforce management.
- First Aid and CPR certification.
What Success Looks Like
- The store is clean, organized, fully stocked, and professionally presented.
- Employees are trained, supported, accountable, and engaged.
- Inventory remains accurate and well-managed.
- Out-of-stock items are minimized through effective forecasting and purchasing.
- Customers consistently receive exceptional service.
- Sales goals and operational objectives are achieved.
- The store reflects the professionalism, culture, and reputation of Olympic Outdoor Center.
Benefits
- 50% employer-paid health insurance, including dental and vision coverage.
- Employee discounts on retail merchandise.
- Access to outdoor equipment, classes, and programs.
- Paid training and professional development opportunities.
- Opportunities for advancement within a growing outdoor recreation company.
- Work in one of the Pacific Northwest's most unique outdoor destinations.
To Apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the position.
John Kuntz jkuntz@olympicoutdoorcenter.com
Olympic Outdoor Center
Port Gamble, Washington
About olympic outdoor center
Olympic Outdoor Center is a Pacific Northwest specialty retailer and outfitter dedicated to paddlers, bikers, and expedition-minded adventurers.
Founded in 1986 on the shores of Puget Sound, OOC has spent nearly four decades immersed in cold-water paddling, coastal travel, mountain biking, and serious outdoor use. What began as a small local shop has grown into a nationally respected paddlesports institution—trusted by those who value reliability, fit, and informed guidance over trend and hype.
We specialize in equipment that matters when conditions are challenging: kayaks, paddleboards, mountain bikes, dry suits, rescue systems, technical paddling apparel, paddles, PFDs, spray skirts, and SmartTrack rudder systems. These are not casual purchases, and we do not treat them as commodities. Every product we carry is selected because it performs under stress, holds up to repeated use, and solves real problems paddlers face on cold water.
Our team includes professional sea kayak instructors, guides, and long-distance expedition paddlers. We teach with this gear. We paddle with it in wind, tide, and current. We see what works—and what fails—when conditions change. That lived experience informs every recommendation we make.
But Olympic Outdoor Center has always been more than a retail shop.
Over 40 years, we have introduced thousands to cold-water paddling and hired more than 400 youth into our programs, tours, classes, rental locations, and shop. Today, we are welcoming the children of our first employees into the next generation of leadership and instruction. That continuity reflects something we value deeply: mentorship, responsibility, and community.
As a retailer, our role is not simply to ship products—it is to help people make better decisions. We believe honest guidance builds trust, even when it means advising against a sale. That philosophy has made Olympic Outdoor Center a destination shop for paddlers across the country who want clarity, competence, and equipment they can rely on.
Whether preparing for a first season in cold water or refining an expedition-ready setup, our mission remains steady: equip people with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to paddle safely, skillfully, and well.
Forty years in, we are still teaching. Still guiding. Still learning.
And still building the next generation of Pacific Northwest adventurers.
