Director of Store Operations (Salaried) at Knox Area Rescue Minist – Knoxville, Tennessee

Job Summary

Responsible for the overall growth, strategy, and operational excellence of an assigned retail region. Develops and supports Store Management through operational leadership, performance coaching, and succession planning while ensuring alignment to company goals and a Christ-centered culture.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and equip store leadership by modeling KARM’s mission and values (“revealing Christ” to staff, volunteers, donors, and customers).

• Coach Store Managers to execute operational standards and improve performance.

• Conduct scheduled store visits to provide feedback, accountability, and operational advisement.

• Ensure consistent execution of standards related to donor care, production accuracy/efficiency, merchandising, and store appearance/customer experience.

• Review store and regional performance metrics; identify trends, risks, and opportunities.

• Partner with Store Managers to build and monitor action plans that improve results.

• Reinforce company procedures and expectations across locations; address gaps consistently.

• Support employee relations and performance improvement processes in alignment with HR guidelines.

• Serve as a liaison with corporate departments (HR, Transportation, Inventory, Volunteer Management, Processing, Marketing, etc.).

• Participate in planning/budgeting/growth initiatives and support company projects as assigned.

Owns regional performance across key indicators including: donor care/customer experience, production efficiency & accuracy, merchandising execution, store appearance standards, shrink/loss prevention, and labor alignment (as applicable).

What Success Looks Like (First 90 Days)

• Establishes consistent store visit cadence and coaching rhythm with Store Managers.

• Identifies top operational opportunities and launches measurable improvement plans.

• Reinforces consistent standards across locations (customer experience, merchandising, production accuracy).

• Builds/updates development and succession plans for key store leadership roles.

• Strengthens cross-functional communication and issue resolution with corporate partners.

Qualifications

Required: High School Diploma/equivalent; 3+ years retail operational management (multi-site preferred); experience leading, developing, and performance managing managers; strong knowledge of KPIs, inventory, merchandising, and loss prevention; strong communication skills; POS + Google Workspace.

Preferred: 5+ years multi-unit leadership; experience leading through managers; change management/turnaround; budgeting exposure.

Additional Information

KARM Stores participates in E-Verify and confirms employment eligibility through Form I-9 documentation.

We are proud to be a second-chance employer. Criminal history does not automatically disqualify applicants. Background checks are conducted in accordance with applicable law.

KARM Stores is an Equal Opportunity Employer.