Vice President of Retail Operations

Reports to: CEO                                                       

Department: Base Service Center  

FLSA Classification: Exempt        

Travel: Up to 75%  

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Vice President of Retail Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for all retail locations, driving revenue growth, operational excellence, customer experience, and mission impact. This role ensures consistent execution of brand standards, financial performance, workforce development, and compliance with the AbilityOne Program while fostering a high-performance and inclusive culture. 

JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Strategic & Operational Leadership  

• Develop and execute a retail strategy that advances both financial goals and the organization’s mission to provide meaningful employment for individuals who are visually impaired. 

• Translate strategic priorities into actionable operational plans that enhance performance, accessibility, and mission impact across all locations. 

• Lead change initiatives that strengthen consistency, efficiency, and mission integration throughout the retail network. 

• Evaluate opportunities for sustainable growth—new stores, expanded services, partnerships—ensuring each supports long-term mission and business viability. 

Retail Operations & Customer Experience 

• Oversee daily operations to ensure all stores deliver high-quality service while maintaining accessibility and inclusion for employees and customers. 

• Ensure retail environments meet the needs of base communities and contracting officers, fulfilling obligations for federally funded services. 

• Implement operational standards, merchandising guidelines, and store procedures that reinforce brand integrity and mission outcomes. 

• Optimize labor models while considering both customer service and the organization’s responsibility to support AbilityOne labor-hour requirements. 

• Foster a consistent, positive customer experience that reflects the organization’s values and purpose. 

Financial & Performance Management 

• Own the retail P&L while balancing profitability with the organization’s mission-driven workforce commitments. 

• Monitor KPIs—including service metrics, labor efficiency, sales growth, and AbilityOne labor-hour compliance—to improve outcomes across all stores. 

• Strengthen inventory and cash management systems to safeguard assets and ensure compliance with internal controls. 

• Ensure financial planning, forecasting, and reporting support both strategic growth and mission sustainability. 

• Use data-driven insights to enhance productivity, pricing, product mix, and margin performance, while maintaining inclusive employment practices. 

Mission, Compliance & Risk Management 

• Ensure full compliance with AbilityOne Program requirements, including labor-hour ratios, documentation, reporting, and mission delivery commitments. 

• Partner with HR and Mission Services to support workplace accommodations, accessibility needs, and equitable employment pathways. 

• Maintain compliance with federal contracting requirements, labor laws, and safety standards. 

• Implement strong internal controls to reduce risk, shrink, fraud, and operational inconsistencies. 

• Oversee audits and corrective actions, ensuring that mission integrity, compliance, and operational performance remain aligned. 

People Leadership & Talent Development 

• Lead, develop, and mentor a diverse workforce, with a strong emphasis on advancing opportunities for employees who are visually impaired.  

• Build a mission-centered leadership culture that encourages accountability, service excellence, accessibility, and inclusion. 

• Ensure retail leaders are trained to supervise, support, and develop employees with disabilities in accordance with AbilityOne and organizational standards. 

• Demonstrate and embodies our values: Be Limitless, Be Resilient, Be People Centered, Be a Team, and Be Trustworthy  

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Retail Management, or related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred. 

• 10–15 years of progressive retail operations leadership; multi-unit experience required. 

• Demonstrated experience leading inclusive teams and supporting employees with disabilities, particularly visual impairments 

• Experience with federal contracting, military installations, and/or AbilityOne Program strongly preferred. 

• Experience of managing large teams (e.g., district/regional managers and store leaders) 

SKILLS/ABILITIES: 

• Strategic leadership with strong execution and financial acumen. 

• Knowledge of retail operations, KPIs, and P&L ownership. 

• Commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and mission-driven workforce practices. 

• Effective communication, change leadership, and data-driven decision-making skills. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to travel up to 75% to retail locations, including military installations. 

• Ability to work in a combination of office, retail, and warehouse environments. 

• Ability to occasionally lift or move merchandise or supplies weighing up to 25 pounds when observing or assisting with store operations. 

This job description does not imply these are the only duties to be performed. The incumbent in this position will perform such other tasks as may be required for the effective operations of the Division/Department upon request by his/her supervisor. 

Please note: Under the AbilityOne Program, Vibrant Works gives hiring preference to individuals who are legally blind. Any decision to disclose a disability by an applicant related to the hiring preference is completely voluntary. Requesting such information is also a part of our affirmative action efforts. Information that is disclosed will remain confidential. Also, your decision not to disclose disability status will not have a negative impact in the hiring process. 

Vibrant Works is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, the use of a dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.