Store Manager - COOP Concept Store

Founded in 1882, the Harvard & MIT Cooperative Society—known as The COOP is one of the most iconic collegiate retail institutions in the country. Today, the COOP is in the midst of an exciting transformation—reimagining its role not just as a retailer, but as a platform for connection, community, and engagement across Harvard, MIT, and the neighborhoods they call home.

The COOP Allston store is a key part of this next chapter.

Located within Harvard’s new Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) at the Atlas Hotel, the Allston COOP is a new concept store designed to serve a mix of students, hotel guests, neighbors, and visitors. It will be a highly curated, welcoming neighborhood destination—combining retail and community activation in an intimate footprint. The space will feature thoughtfully selected merchandise, rotating displays, events, and moments that invite people to linger, explore, and connect.

We are seeking a Store Manager to lead and oversee this new concept store from day one. This role is ideal for someone who loves retail AND people - who is energized by launching something new, building community, and helping shape the future of this iconic brand.

Drawing on prior retail management experience, the Store Manager will lead the team with confidence and care, guiding the store toward monthly sales goals while maintaining visual excellence and operational integrity. The role encompasses overseeing visual displays, hosting and supporting in-store events, building meaningful guest relationships, and maintaining organized back stock and precise inventory control. The Store Manager will also participate in weekly team conference calls and contribute to broader collaboration across the company.

This role requires hands‑on leadership and a high level of autonomy, including experience supervising teams, managing cash and register operations, receiving and processing shipments, conducting regular inventory counts of fine goods, and supporting light cleaning and daily upkeep. The ideal candidate is a thoughtful problem‑solver who works independently while knowing when to seek collaboration and support. Familiarity with the local area—along with an understanding of scheduling needs and corresponding sales trends—is strongly preferred.

• Consistently demonstrate a strong understanding of proactive leadership within a luxury retail operation
• Training team-members on store operating procedures and selling techniques
• Training team members on the POS system, demonstrate its functionality, day to day usage, and reporting capabilities
• Understanding the monthly sales goals and create strategies to maximize profitability
• Leading and empower each store team-member with skills to meet their sales goals
• Hiring in-store team-members as necessary and solving scheduling needs
• Assisting in guest’s needs and problem solve any guest related concerns within (and according to) company standards
• Receiving deliveries of goods and follow protocol for back stock and inventory management
• Ensuring daily reports of stores performance are accurate and complete
• Coordinating store events with Home Office
• Participating in weekly conference calls with operations, inventory, and merchandising teams
• Maintaining a consistent and active presence on the sales floor, providing coverage where necessary to maintain store hours, service standards, and an optimal, elevated guest experience
• Managing store schedule, weekly payroll, and budgets

• Minimum of 4+ years of retail management experience
• Thorough retail background with demonstrated knowledge and skill sets, including customer service, POS systems, processing shipment arrivals, answering phone calls and emails, and product knowledge
• Experience assisting a global clientele, with the ability to educate team members on the same skills
• Detail-oriented and self-motivated, with enthusiasm for motivating and leading team members
• Ability to think independently and troubleshoot technological issues
• Proven experience training and educating team members to successfully meet sales goals and performance expectations
• Applied experience with Microsoft Office products and Shopify POS;
  Net Suite experience preferred
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Availability to work days, nights, and some weekends, with full responsibility for store operational hours

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.