Director of Retail Operations

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of Vancouver Island is seeking an experienced and collaborative leader to lead and expand our retail and warehouse operations. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Retail Operations is responsible for the strategic direction, operational performance, and long-term sustainability of our thrift stores and warehouse.

This role provides leadership to a multi-site retail team, drives revenue growth and operational excellence, and ensures our retail operations continue to support the Society's mission of serving people in need throughout Vancouver Island. The successful candidate will bring strong business acumen, experience leading teams across multiple locations, and a passion for building engaged, high-performing workplaces.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a growing retail portfolio, contribute to organizational strategy, and make a meaningful impact in the community through innovative and sustainable retail operations.

Why Join Us?

Every purchase, donation, and volunteer contribution helps support vital community programs, housing initiatives, and services across Vancouver Island. By leading our retail operations, you will play a key role in strengthening the resources that allow the Society to make a difference in the lives of others. We offer:

• Competitive salary reviewed annually
• Employer paid health and dental coverage and an employer matched Pension Plan
• Support for continuing professional development
• Paid time-off and 14 stats including Easter Monday, Christmas Eve, and Boxing Day
• A socially responsible and inclusive culture in a successful community enterprise

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight to all thrift store and warehouse operations.
• Ensure consistent policies, procedures, operational standards, and customer service expectations across all locations.
• Monitor sales performance, donations, inventory levels, operational effectiveness, and key performance indicators.
• Monitor industry trends, customer behavior, and market conditions to inform strategic and operational decisions.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase revenue, improve operational efficiency, and support long-term sustainability.
• Lead the development and execution of annual and multi-year operational plans, business objectives, and growth initiatives for the retail portfolio.
• Establish performance measures and monitor operational outcomes to support continuous improvement.
• Provide strategic oversight of inventory management, merchandising, warehousing, and distribution practices across all locations.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities for store expansion, relocation, consolidation, capital investments, and new retail initiatives.

• Provide the Executive Director and, as requested, it’s board committees with timely analysis, recommendations, risk information, and performance reporting related to retail and warehouse operations.

Staff Leadership & Human Resources

• Provide leadership, direction, and support to the retail team across all store and warehouse locations.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and engaged workplace culture that reflects the Society's mission and values.

• Identify staffing needs and workforce priorities for the retail program, working with Human Resources to support recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies.

• Develop staff and supervisors through coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with Human Resources on employee relations matters, workplace investigations, attendance management, accommodation, and performance concerns.
• Support succession planning and the development of future leaders within the retail program.
• Champion employee engagement, continuous improvement, and organizational change initiatives.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, customer service excellence, and operational effectiveness.

• Work collaboratively with the Society’s volunteer coordinator a store staff to develop consistent approaches to volunteer orientation, training, supervision, recognition, retention, and safe participation across retail and warehouse operations.

Financial & Resource Management

• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning for the retail and warehouse portfolio.
• Monitor financial performance against approved budgets, forecasts, and organizational targets.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase retail revenue, donations, and operational sustainability.
• Analyze sales trends, operational results, and key financial indicators to support informed decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to maximize the effective use of financial, physical, and human resources.
• Ensure appropriate stewardship of organizational assets, including donated goods, facilities, vehicles, equipment, and supplies.
• Evaluate capital investment opportunities and make recommendations regarding major expenditures and operational improvements.
• Support long-term financial sustainability through strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives.

Community & Donor Relations

• Promote the mission and values of the Society through positive interactions with customers, donors, volunteers, and community partners.
• Support initiatives that increase community awareness, donor engagement, and customer satisfaction.
• Respond to escalated customer, donor, and operational concerns as required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of progressive leadership experience in retail, warehouse, logistics, or multi-site operations, including experience leading teams across multiple locations

• Post-secondary education in business administration, retail management, operations, logistics, or a related field is preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training, and progressively responsible experience will be considered.

• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, operational management, budgeting, forecasting and financial oversight.

• Strong understanding of retail operations, inventory management, performance measurement, and business planning.
• Experience leading organizational change, process improvement, and growth initiatives.
• Strong organizational, communication, relationship-building, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and retail point-of-sale systems.
• Valid BC Driver's License.
• Experience in the nonprofit sector is considered an asset.

About Society of Saint Vincent de Paul:

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of Vancouver Island has been supporting people in need on Vancouver Island since 1916. Focused on impacting the lives of people affected by poverty, the Society offers emergency relief services while maintaining a focus and commitment to addressing the root causes that contribute to poverty in our communities. Through a variety of programs, the Society provides support through affordable housing, a food pantry, home visit program, day program for persons with developmental disabilities and thrift stores providing clothing and household items to those in need, to name a few.

We are committed to cultivating an inclusive, fair, equitable and diverse culture and look forward to welcoming applicants with their unique strengths to our team.