Winter/Water/Camping/Athletic Dept. Manager

We are seeking a motivated, experienced, and proactive leader to join our Missoula store as a Winter/Water/Camping & Athletics Department Manager. In this role, you will oversee the winter, water, camping, climbing, and athletic departments, ensuring your team delivers outstanding customer service, meets sales goals, and maintains the highest standards of department performance.

As an active, visible leader, you will spend the majority of your time on the sales floor motivating, coaching, and directing staff. You will foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and outdoor expertise while ensuring the highest levels of customer satisfaction are achieved. This position reports directly to the Store Manager.

We sell gear for everything from hitting the slopes and wake surfing to tubing behind a boat, camping under the stars, playing your favorite team sport, or reaching the top of a climb. We’re looking for someone with a broad range of outdoor and athletic experience who can confidently lead multiple departments and inspire both staff and customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and motivate department staff to achieve sales, service, and operational goals.
• Maintain a strong sales floor presence and deliver exceptional customer engagement.
• Manage scheduling, daily direction, and performance feedback.
• Coach and develop team and individual skills through training and engagement.
• Build and maintain customer relationships with expert product knowledge in winter sports, water sports, and camping.
• Oversee merchandising, visual presentation, signage, and promotional setups.
• Prepare for events and promotions, ensuring organized and accurate displays.
• Analyze sales trends and collaborate with management to optimize inventory, product selection, and promotions.
• Perform store opening and closing duties as needed.
• Assist other departments and complete additional tasks as assigned.
• Maintain high standards of organization, cleanliness, and product knowledge.
• Stay current on outdoor trends, technology, and merchandise

Qualifications

Required

• Previous retail management or supervisory experience, preferably in outdoor, sporting goods, or specialty retail.
• Extensive experience and passion for team sports, outdoor recreation, and athletic activities (winter sports, water sports, camping, etc.).
• Open availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and customer service skills.
• Ability to coach, motivate, and develop team members.
• Strong merchandising, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Confident approaching customers, initiating conversation, and providing expert guidance.
• Ability to remain objective and calm in stressful situations, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.
• Well-developed decision-making, time management, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail and ability to accurately follow instructions.
• Proactive work ethic with a team-oriented mindset.
• Ability to lift 25+ lbs as needed.
• Passion for outdoor activities and knowledge of the latest trends and technologies in sports and recreation.

Helpful

• Downhill ski experience
• Snowboard experience
• Wakesurf experience
• Slalom ski experience
• Camping/climbing and backpacking experience
• Team Sports Experience
• Familiarity with tents, sleeping systems, stoves, and other camping gear
• Knowledge of outdoor recreation and seasonal gear trends
• Retail experience
• Customer service experience

Benefits & Perks

• Exclusive in-store employee discounts
• Special vendor purchasing programs
• Comprehensive health benefit
• Safe Harbor 401(k) Match Program
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Career advancement in outdoor retail company
• Fun, team-focused outdoor retail environment

Full-Time. 40 Hours Per Week