"Senior Manager, Retail Operations"

UC Riverside's Dining Services is recruiting for the Senior Manager of Retail Operations. The full salary range for the Senior Manager of Retail Operations is $75,900.00 - $137,300.00 annually. However, the expected pay scale for this position is up to $91,250.00 annually. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs.

Under the direction of the Director of Retail and Restaurants, the Senior Manager of Retail Operations provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all day-to-day functions of the University's campus retail portfolio, including convenience stores, markets, coffee shops, concessions, and vending services, generating approximately $3.75 million in annual sales. The Senior Manager is responsible for developing and executing operational strategies that drive revenue growth, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction across all retail units. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Operational Leadership & Planning: Directing daily operations and ensuring consistent execution of service, merchandising, and brand standards across all retail outlets. Leading long- and short-term operational planning to align with departmental and institutional goals.
• Procurement & Vendor Management: Sourcing products, negotiating contracts, and cultivating strong vendor relationships to optimize product quality, value, and availability. Coordinating with suppliers to ensure timely delivery and compliance with contractual terms.
• Merchandising & Marketing: Developing merchandising plans, in-store promotions, and marketing initiatives to maximize sales, highlight seasonal or specialty products, and enhance the customer experience.
• Financial & Labor Management: Overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and cost control measures, including monitoring sales performance, managing labor costs, and analyzing financial reports to inform operational decisions.
• Inventory Control & Receiving: Implementing efficient inventory management practices to minimize waste, control shrinkage, and ensure accurate receiving processes. Maintaining optimal stock levels to meet demand while preserving operational efficiency.
• Program Development & Innovation: Supporting retail sales initiatives through product innovation, menu development, and enhanced retail experiences. Continuously evaluating market trends and customer feedback to evolve and expand retail offerings.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensuring all retail operations comply with food safety standards, health regulations, and institutional policies while maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness, presentation, and service.

Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time.

Requirements:

• Educational Requirements: Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. Required.
• Experience Requirements: 8 - 13 years of related experience. Required. Experience in food related financial management, accounting, and reporting, and the ability to prepare short- and long-range financial forecasts, monthly reports, and make recommendations and proposals for retail pricing. Required. Experience in planning, independent administration, and management related to multi unit management, including but not limited to financial and labor management, sourcing and procurement, marketing and merchandising, handling and storage, customer service, and health and safety. Required. Experience in developing and executing Limited Time Offer (LTO) campaigns. Required. Supervisory experience, preferably in food service industry. Preferred.
• License Requirements: Required to hold valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program. Required.
• Special Conditions: Successfully pass criminal background check. Required. Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information. Required. Occasional travel for business related meetings, professional development, and/or events. Required. Shift Work (hours outside standard Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM work hours). Required.
• Minimum Requirements: Strong knowledge in food service and sanitation regulations. Strong verbal and written communication skills in the English language, including active listening, dynamic flexibility, and critical thinking, and ability to multi-task and ensure effective time management. Strong decision making and reasoning skills, and ability to develop original ideas to solve problems, and conduct operations analysis and quality control analysis. Strong and effective interpersonal and work leadership skills to provide guidance to all levels of personnel. Intermediate computer application skills to include food service applications for point of sale and inventory control software. Demonstrated supervisory, leadership, and personnel management skills to effectively administer and manage through others and skills in time management to provide priority levels to department projects and job assignments. Knowledge in inventory control functions, including experience in physical inventory counts, receiving and storage of materials. Works in a safe and responsible manner while not putting self or others at risk. This includes complying with applicable policies and regulations, using personal safety gear, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards and reporting unsafe conditions. Skill in creating and editing documents in word processing applications using moderately advanced features including creating spreadsheets, reports using Word, Excel, or other software application, exporting/importing data from or to different software applications or data collection and retrieval, and experience with maintaining simple or moderately complex databases through data entry, data queries and database design modifications. Knowledge of food, beverage, and merchandise trends in retail environments and demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with vendors.