U1 - District Sales Manager

District Sales Manager, The COOP

About LidsU and The COOP

Lids Sports Group brings sports, fashion, culture, and collegiate pride together through licensed products and memorable retail experiences. LidsU extends that expertise into campus and university retail, pairing enterprise retail capabilities with locally relevant assortments, service, and community engagement.

This position supports the COOP retail experience serving the Harvard and MIT communities, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, members, visitors, and fans. Team members are expected to respect The COOP’s heritage and brand while helping create a consistent, modern, and locally relevant experience across its Harvard and MIT stores.

General Position Summary

Lead the overall performance, continuity, and long-term growth of The COOP retail portfolio. This role is accountable for financial results, store operations, talent, customer experience, merchandising execution, institutional relationships, and coordination across all store locations and support partners.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Institutional Partnership

- Serve as the senior day-to-day operating leader for The COOP portfolio and establish clear priorities across stores and functional teams.

- Build productive relationships with The COOP leadership and designated Harvard and MIT stakeholders while maintaining clear accountability for LidsU retail execution.

- Translate partnership commitments, institutional expectations, and LidsU strategies into actionable operating plans.

- Protect The COOP’s heritage, reputation, and member-centered identity while advancing a modern retail experience.

Business & Portfolio Performance

- Own sales, profitability, labor, inventory productivity, controllable expenses, and operating standards across the portfolio.

- Use store, category, and customer insights to identify opportunities, resolve performance gaps, and prioritize investment.

- Coordinate consistent execution while protecting the distinct needs of each campus, store, and customer base.

- Ensure leadership readiness and operational continuity during academic peaks, major campus events, and high-volume periods.

People & Culture

- Lead, coach, and develop store and functional leaders; establish clear expectations, ownership, and succession plans.

- Create an inclusive, accountable, and customer-focused culture that supports employee continuity through the operator transition.

- Partner with Human Resources on recruitment, onboarding, performance management, employee relations, and workforce planning.

Operations & Risk

- Ensure portfolio compliance with Lids policies, safety, asset protection, cash controls, inventory standards, and applicable university requirements.

- Coordinate cross-functional support across technology, finance, merchandising, supply chain, marketing, facilities, and category partners.

- Ensure risks, dependencies, and executive decisions are documented and escalated appropriately.

Job Required Knowledge and Skills

- 7+ years of progressive multi-unit, high-volume, or complex retail leadership experience preferred.

- Demonstrated ownership of financial performance, talent, operations, merchandising, and customer experience.

- Experience managing institutional, landlord, campus, or strategic partner relationships preferred.

- Strong judgment, communication, analytical, and change-leadership skills.

- Ability to work a flexible schedule and travel among The COOP locations as business needs require.

What We Offer

- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

- Retirement plan

- 100% employer-paid benefits, including short-term and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program

- Paid Time Off

- Generous employee discount and exclusive perks

- Ongoing career development, including discounted secondary education courses

- A collaborative, innovative, and team-oriented work environment

- Early Wage Access options

- Bonus eligibility depending on position level

Physical Demands & Requirements

- Ability to operate a computer and work with digital systems for extended periods.

- Ability to remain standing and move throughout the store for extended periods.

- Ability to occasional lift merchandise and display materials.

- Ability to frequently communicate with customers, team members, and business partners.

- Ability to operate point-of-sale, inventory, and other retail technology systems.

- Ability to occasionally lift and move merchandise and supplies up to 50 pounds and use ladders safely.

- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. For inquiries related to reasonable accommodations, please contact HR@Lids.com.

Work Environment

- Primarily based in a retail bookstore environment with regular travel between multiple store locations throughout the assigned district.

- Schedule flexibility is required to support store operations, including occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Employment Requirements

Candidates must possess the experience, skills, physical abilities, and qualifications, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform the essential duties of the role and must be able to meet all applicable employment standards. Being legally authorized to work in the United States is a pre-condition of employment for this position. Current or future employment-based visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Notice to Applicants

In connection with your application, we collect information that identifies, reasonably relates to, or describes you (“Personal Information”). The categories of Personal Information we collect include your name, email address, mailing address, other contact information, employment history, and educational history. We collect and use this information for human resources and business management purposes, including identifying and evaluating candidates for employment or future contract opportunities, and maintaining recruiting and hiring records.

Need Accessibility Assistance?

Applicants who require accessibility assistance to submit an employment application may email hr@lids.com. A member of our Talent team will respond as soon as reasonably possible. This email address is only for individuals seeking reasonable accommodation when applying for a career at Lids.