0007 - Assistant Store Manager PT
LidsLids Sports Group is looking for an Assistant Store Manager for its Fort Wayne, Indiana location. This part-time, onsite leadership role sits at the heart of a bustling sports retail floor, where you’ll blend product knowledge, team leadership, and customer service to drive results. Lids is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, with more than 1,300 stores nationwide, and a focus on officially licensed headwear and apparel, in-store embroidery, and collaborations with major brands.
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Lids creates immersive retail experiences that celebrate fandom. The assistant store manager helps keep the store performing at a high level in the absence of the Store Manager, guiding the team, upholding brand standards, and sharing expertise on Lids’ products and services. If you enjoy leading a team, solving on-floor challenges, and helping fans find the right gear, this role could be a strong fit.
It’s a hands-on position that rewards leaders who can balance everyday operations with a positive, inclusive team atmosphere and a focus on customer delight.
A day on the shop floor
During shifts when the Store Manager isn’t on duty, you’ll act as the point person for scheduling issues and customer escalations, keeping the store running smoothly. You’ll guide associates through LIDS Training Programs, set sales and task goals, and follow up to ensure progress, with a focus on building confidence and consistency across the team.
You’ll help with recruiting and training new store personnel, enforce policy compliance, and encourage a respectful environment where everyone understands how their work ties into broader company goals. You’ll also manage staffing levels to cover unexpected peaks, ensuring the store remains fully staffed even when leadership isn’t present.
On the customer side, you’ll help translate the selling strategy into action, work to meet key performance indicators, and resolve issues in the moment to “make it right” for guests. You’ll promote Lids membership programs and in-store offers, and you’ll uphold visual guidelines to keep merchandise appealing and the store clean and professional.
Operational duties cover following company directives, maintaining store technology and equipment such as MPOS and Lids Custom, and handling service requests and maintenance needs. You’ll oversee cash handling, including opening and closing the till and performing bank drops, and you’ll assist with inventory audits to preserve accuracy. Opening and closing the store per established procedures is part of the routine as well.
What you’ll bring to the Fort Wayne team
The role seeks a balance of results orientation, people leadership, and independence. On the must-have side, Lids is looking for a track record of delivering sales while minimizing loss, strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, and the ability to operate effectively without direct supervision.
- Proven ability to drive sales while keeping shrink low
- Clear, professional communication and strong people leadership
- Ability to work well without someone watching over your shoulder
Nice-to-haves that help you excel include experience guiding store staff through scheduling and training, involvement in recruiting and onboarding, familiarity with safeguarding company assets, and hands-on experience with inventory management and visual merchandising. Comfort with operating MPOS and Lids Custom tech on the floor is also a plus, along with a knack for shaping product layouts and promotions to support the store’s goals.
- Experience leading scheduling and training for store teams
- Background in recruiting and onboarding new hires
- Familiarity with cash handling and protecting company assets
- Experience managing inventory and executing visual merchandising plans
- Comfort with MPOS and Lids Custom systems on a daily basis
Compensation, benefits and the practical details
The position pays between $30,000 and $34,000 per year for a part-time, onsite role in Fort Wayne. Lids bundles a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus a retirement plan. The company covers 100% of some benefits, including short-term and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. You’ll also receive Paid Time Off, a generous employee discount, and access to ongoing career development, including discounted secondary education courses. Early wage access options are available, and there is uncapped monthly bonus potential tied to performance.
In terms of duties you’ll manage, the role involves physical tasks such as lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally, climbing a ladder, and standing or walking for extended periods. You’ll frequently interact with customers and coworkers, use a computer and the Point-of-Sale system, and adhere to the store’s policies and procedures. Legal work authorization is required, and current or future employment-based visa sponsorship is not available for this role. If you need accessibility accommodations during the application process, you can email [email protected] for assistance.
Tips to help you shine in this Fort Wayne store role
Lead with your leadership and scheduling experience on your resume. Open with a concrete example where you supervised a team, set clear sales and operational goals, and followed up to improve performance, especially in a setting where you served as Manager on Duty or similar.
Demonstrate how you prove you can deliver results while protecting assets. Include a story about keeping inventory secure, managing cash responsibly, and ensuring policy compliance in a busy retail environment.
Prepare for questions about your day-to-day operations on the floor. Be ready to talk through how you would open or close the store, handle cash and bank drops, supervise inventory counts, and keep MPOS and Lids Custom functioning smoothly during a shift.
When you ask questions, keep them specific to this role and the Fort Wayne store. A smart ask could focus on current KPIs and how the assistant role contributes to exceeding them, or inquire about opportunities for ongoing training and development, including the available career-advancement paths and the impact of early wage access on team performance.