Retail Manager

Retail Manager (Hardware & Building Materials)

Robinson, IL | On-site | Full-time | $20.00–$25.00 per hour

R.P. Lumber is hiring a Retail Manager for our Robinson, IL store location. This is a hands-on, on-site leadership role for someone who can run a showroom, coach a team, keep inventory accurate, and deliver the kind of service contractors and homeowners remember.

This position reports to the General Manager and provides development across showroom, yard, and back-office operations for individuals interested in growing into broader store leadership over time. You will lead the store when the General Manager is away.

We are a family-owned building materials and hardware retailer founded in 1977. We now operate 100+ locations across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Our promise is simple:
Best Service. Best Value. We promote from within and look for leaders who want to build a long‑term career in their community.

Customer service and sales

• Lead by example at the sales counter, on the showroom floor, and at the register
• Train and motivate store associates to provide knowledgeable, exceptional customer service
• Resolve customer concerns quickly and fairly
• Support contractor and retail relationships, including follow‑up and new‑business prospecting
• Help the team load and stage deliveries so orders leave on time, complete, and in good condition

Showroom operations and merchandising

• Oversee receiving, stocking, pricing, and product presentation in the showroom
• Execute planograms, end caps, seasonal displays, key assortments, promotions, and price changes
• Keep the sales floor clean, organized, and easy for customers to shop
• Build product knowledge across hardware, lumber, and home‑improvement categories so you can coach the team and help customers choose the right materials

Inventory, payroll, and store performance

• Record sales, returns, transfers, and adjustments accurately and on time
• Maintain stock levels that meet customer demand without over‑investing in inventory
• Partner with warehouse and yard teams on accurate receiving and proper storage
• Reduce shrinkage, damage, and theft through clean processes and secure high‑theft items
• Assist the General Manager with sales and profit goals, labor scheduling, payroll control, reporting, and back‑office tasks
• Check and respond to company and customer email in a timely manner

Safety and team leadership

• Model a safety‑first culture for employees and customers
• Help keep ladders, forklifts, trucks, and other equipment in safe working condition
• Give timely coaching and corrective feedback so associates can succeed
• Contribute to store meetings on performance, promotions, safety, and operational issues
• Create an open‑door environment where people can raise problems and share ideas
• Perform other duties assigned by the General Manager or other qualified corporate representatives

Please note:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of the activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee.

• 3–5 years of supervisory or retail management experience in hardware, lumber, building materials, home improvement, contractor sales, or a related field — or an equivalent mix of education and experience
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to work with limited supervision
• Working knowledge of retail operations, merchandising, inventory control, customer service, and loss prevention
• Comfort using a point‑of‑sale (POS) system and other retail or business software; estimating software experience is a plus
• Enough math and business skill to read sales, margin, inventory, and labor numbers and use them to…