Head of Retail Stores & Operations

At Backcountry, our mission is to connect people to their passions. Our four online stores—Backcountry, Competitive Cyclist, MotoSport and, SteepandCheap—aim to supply our customers with the gear, knowledge, and inspiration necessary to get out there and chase down life’s greatest moments. We do this by providing the biggest and best assortment of premium outdoor products, superior shopping experience, personalized Gearhead expertise, lightning-fast and accurate fulfillment, and inspirational, informative, and community-centered content.

The Head of Retail Stores & Operations leads Backcountry's retail organization, holding full accountability for store performance, culture, talent, and P&L across all locations. This leader serves as the primary liaison between stores and all corporate functions — championing field needs, driving HQ alignment, and ensuring store teams are equipped to execute at the highest level. They set ambitious goals, drive accountability at every level, and build a high-performing, customer-centric organization that delivers consistent sales growth, profitability, and community connection.

Reports To: Senior Vice President of Stores

Travel: Frequent store visits required, must be based in Utah (Salt Lake City area)

Schedule: Flexible, including nights, weekends, and holidays

Physical: Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategic Leadership
• Set the vision and standards for retail operations, challenging teams to innovate and execute with discipline
• Hold field leaders accountable to goals, timelines, and brand standards across all locations
• Partner cross-functionally with Merchandising, Pricing, Marketing, Finance, and HR to align store execution with company strategy
• Leverage AI tools to enhance operational planning, accelerate decision-making, and drive efficiency across the field organization
• Represent and promote Backcountry's brand and values in local communities, fostering authentic connections with outdoor enthusiasts, local organizations, and brand partners to deepen customer loyalty and regional presence
• Financial Management
• Own retail P&L — budgeting, forecasting, payroll, inventory, and operational efficiency
• Drive top-line sales growth and bottom-line profitability with a data-informed approach
• Monitor and respond to financial performance across the portfolio with urgency and precision
• Apply AI-powered analytics to identify trends, surface risks, and prioritize action across the portfolio
• Performance & Customer Experience
• Define clear KPIs, equip teams with the right tools, and drive consistent achievement of goals
• Champion a customer-obsessed culture that drives loyalty, conversion, and an exceptional in-store experience
• Ensure store execution aligns with broader customer service and sales growth initiatives
• Use AI-driven insights to anticipate customer needs, optimize the in-store experience, and improve conversion
• Talent & Development
• Recruit, develop, and retain top talent with a focus on high performance and succession planning
• Build innovative training programs that empower managers to lead effective teams and elevate store performance
• Champion diversity and inclusion across hiring, development, and team culture
• Communication & Culture
• Foster open, transparent communication across all levels of the organization
• Encourage feedback loops that drive continuous improvement in operations and experience
• Model Backcountry's core values through visible, accessible leadership
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5 years of multi-unit retail leadership with direct ownership across budgeting, forecasting, and operational efficiency
• Proven track record of driving sales growth and profitability across a multi-unit retail portfolio
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and hold remote teams accountable
• Clear, concise communicator across all levels of the business
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, SharePoint, Forms) and POS systems; Google Suite a plus
• Comfortable adopting and championing AI tools to improve team productivity and operational outcomes
• Ability to build and maintain strong internal and external partnerships
• Must be based in Utah (Salt Lake City area)
  
  

The CSC family of brands provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, state or local laws.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Washington state applicants only: If you believe that this job posting does not comply with applicable Washington state law, please notify us by sending an email to [email protected] .

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie-detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The CSC family of brands is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact [email protected] .

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.