Operations Manager

Powell's Burnside location in Downtown Portland has an opening for a full-time Operations Manager position.

Operations Managers are critical to the function of day-to-day store operations. They work as a well-trained team to facilitate a safe and comfortable shopping environment for Powell’s customers. The job entails resolving customer service issues, employee support, staff scheduling, monitoring the sales floor, and agile problem solving.

This position is ideal for people who like to “do-it-all” and enjoy learning, growing, and creating in an ever-changing work environment. This is a great opportunity to be part of a cornerstone in the Portland community and help further develop your personal skillset.

Powell’s City of Books is known worldwide as a premier independent bookstore and an icon in the Portland community. We’re committed to fostering a culture and environment of inclusion, empowerment, and respect – a place where everyone can show up fully as themselves and do their best work every day.

Powell’s offers an extensive benefits package including:

• Generous healthcare plan (medical, vision, and dental)
• 401(k) savings plan
• Education benefit
• Childcare subsidy
• Substantial employee discount that is also available to your significant other, children, parents, and siblings

$23.08 per hour, or more, depending on experience.

The schedule will include both weekend days and shifts that start as early as 10am and end as late as 9:30pm.

Sunday, October 18th, 2026

Please include a cover letter with a brief description of relevant skills and experience and the reason why you’re interested in the position.

This position is part of the management team at our flagship City of Books location on Burnside St. in downtown Portland. This is a high volume, fast paced environment with a store team of over 100 employees. The Operations Manager works independently and as a part of the Operations Team to oversee retail floor operations. Responsibilities include providing an exceptional in-store customer experience, ensuring a safe and secure retail environment, supervising staff on the retail floor, and coordinating Burnside’s day-to-day retail floor functions.

This position also requires a substantial amount of time spent on the floor as a Manager on Duty supporting store operations, responding to customer service calls, supporting staff, providing incident response support and mentoring staff and peers. Reports to Corporate Security and Loss Prevention Manager.

• Takes an active role in the ongoing development of the Operations and Manager on Duty teams by providing guidance, mentoring and peer feedback.
• Facilitates interdepartmental communication and staff-management relations.
• Fosters and maintain effective relationships with all employees and managers, including acting as a resource and educating staff on operations, procedures, and decisions.
• Educates and coaches employees on store and company procedures, expectations, and standards. Initiates and participates in performance management through feedback, mentoring, acknowledging accomplishments, and when necessary, disciplinary action regarding performance.
• Acts as point person for all departments when no representatives are on hand. Acts as a managerial contact for all locations when primary manager is not available.
• Shares responsibility for the efficient functioning of the store including prioritizing workflow, assigning tasks, and opening and closing the building. Takes responsibility in emergencies, responds to safety and security issues and facilities problems.
• Performs Manager on Duty functions…