District Manager in Northern Michigan, Michigan at Goodwill Northern Michigan

The District Manager leads assigned stores to achieve financial and operational goals, develop strong Store Managers, and deliver excellent customer and donor experiences. Working with the Director of Donated Goods, this position translates organizational priorities into consistent store execution through coaching, accountability, regular store visits, and practical follow-through.

The District Manager has authority to hire, take corrective action, and terminate employment within assigned stores, consistent with Goodwill Northern Michigan’s policies and practices. The position also has decision-making authority over staffing, labor deployment, and operational improvements within organizational policies and approved budgets. The District Manager directly supervises Store Managers and provides leadership oversight and development support to Assistant Store Managers, Keyholders, and store teams through Store Managers.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support the mission and vision of Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan.
• Perform work in a safe manner by observing all Goodwill safety policies and procedures.
• Interact with all Goodwill team members, clients, and customers in a professional manner.
• Respect the diversity of others, including but not limited to, those with cultural, ethnic, and gender differences, individuals experiencing homelessness, and persons with visible and non-visible disabilities.

Leadership & Staffing

• Supervise and develop Store Managers through regular one-on-one meetings, performance reviews, coaching, and development plans.
• Partner with Store Managers and Human Resources on recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, investigations, corrective action, and retention.
• Maintain appropriate staffing and leadership coverage, including succession planning and management transitions.
• Ensure employees receive the training needed to perform their responsibilities safely and effectively.
• Model and reinforce Goodwill Northern Michigan’s values: human dignity, accountability, collaboration, curiosity, and courage.

Retail Operations & Financial Performance

• Accountable for store sales, production, contribution, labor, and operating budget results.
• Analyze financial and operational reports, identify performance gaps, and hold Store Managers accountable for improvement plans.
• Ensure Store Managers consistently apply organizational policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements, including standards for production, merchandising, inventory control, cash handling, housekeeping, and store appearance.
• Develop and implement strategies to grow sales, donations, production, contribution, and profitability while controlling labor and other operating expenses.
• Lead implementation of retail systems, technology, and process changes, including employee training and adoption.
• Support store openings, relocations, remodels, and other organizational initiatives.

Customer & Donor Experience

• Ensure welcoming, efficient, safe, and appreciative service, including effective donation-door operations that encourage repeat giving.
• Coach Store Managers to resolve concerns, address recurring service issues, and implement documented improvement plans when customer or donor satisfaction falls below organizational expectations.
• Ensure consistent branding, signage, promotions, and mission communication, including effective implementation of philanthropy and point-of-sale campaigns.
• Build positive relationships with community partners, neighboring businesses, customers, and donors.

Safety, Compliance & Administration

• Partner with Safety and Maintenance teams to maintain safe facilities and comply with OSHA requirements, organizational policies, Workers’ Compensation procedures, and incident-reporting requirements.
• Conduct operational and safety audits, ensure timely corrective action, and maintain required training and certifications.
• Review payroll, schedules, and operating reports; ensure accurate personnel, safety, and financial documentation.
• Keep the Director of Donated Goods informed of performance, staffing, risks, and opportunities; participate in leadership planning and provide updates as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Reports to: Director of Donated Goods

Supervises: Store Managers; indirectly supports Assistant Store Managers, Keyholders, and store team members.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, Leadership, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum five years of retail management experience required; multi-unit experience strongly preferred.
• Experience supervising managers and developing leadership teams required.
• Experience managing budgets, profit and loss statements, and operational metrics required.
• Valid driver’s license without restrictions and reliable transportation required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong coaching and team-building skills, with the ability to motivate leaders and hold them accountable.
• Sound financial analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage multiple locations, competing priorities, and operational change.
• Strong customer and donor service leadership and relationship-building skills, including the ability to build loyalty and donor satisfaction and communicate Goodwill Northern Michigan’s mission and community impact.
• Ability to work respectfully and effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, and Power BI reporting tools.

Physical & Other Requirements

• Frequent travel between assigned stores and flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Routinely walk, stand, bend, reach, and move throughout retail, donation, warehouse, and production areas.
• Occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and occasional short deadlines.