Retail Store Manager Trainee in Pearisburg, Virginia at Freedom Ag & Energy Cooperative Inc

Retail Store Manager Trainee

Position Summary
As our Retail Store Manager Trainee, you will prepare your future leadership skills and business knowledge needed to support operational excellence and drives profitability by providing leadership and direction. In this role you will learn daily store operations, customer service, sales and merchandising, inventory practices, safety expectations, and team leadership by working closely with experienced managers and team members. During the initial 6-month training period you will work closely with other managers at our other locations. This will require extensive traveling throughout Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia.
Key Responsibilities
Department Focus
• Learn and support execution of retail operations plans for customer service, sales, and volume building.
• Develop skills to manage showroom merchandising and ensure adequate supply of bulk and/or packaged merchandise.
• Understand warehouse operations including receiving and customer delivery.
• Support daily operations while learning how resources are organized to meet profitability goals.
• Develop working knowledge of inventory management, budgeting, and expense control.
Customer and Product Focus
• Represent and promote the company brand and business philosophy.
• Assist customers and learn appropriate handling of escalated customer inquiries.
• Build positive working relationships with customers, vendors, team members, and local community contacts.
• Support sales efforts and learn field sales practices as assigned.
Leadership
• Learn effective team leadership practices to develop a highly effective team.
• Support employee engagement by understanding performance expectations and communication practices.
• Assist with staffing needs and scheduling considerations during seasonal volume changes
• Observe and support recruitment, onboarding, and training processes as assigned
Safety
• Learn and support safety initiatives and daily safe work practices
• Help maintain a clean, safe facility in accordance with company, OSHA, and EPA expectations
• Model and promote safe performance while learning compliance responsibilities

Qualifications
Required
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management, agriculture, agribusiness, or related field preferred. A combination of completed coursework and relevant experience may be considered.
Preferred
• Previous experience in retail, customer service, agriculture, livestock/pet care, or related industry preferred.
• Prior leadership, supervisory, team lead, or project coordination experience preferred
• Interest in learning daily business operations and developing into a future management role.

Skills & Competencies
• Strong work ethic, dependability, and willingness to learn
• Good communication and customer service skills
• Ability to learn data analysis to optimize performance and increase profitability.
• Ability to maintain composure while learning to manage conflict and stressful situations.
• Flexibility to work extended hours as business demands require.
• Ability to travel 10-20% of the time; travel will vary based on location
• Commitment to safety, compliance, and professional development

Benefits
Competitive Wages & Generous Paid Time Off
401k with Employer Contributions
Medical, Life, AD&D, STD, LTD, Dental, & Vision Insurance with Optional Health Spending Account (HSA)
Team Member Health/Wellbeing Programs
Employee Discount