Manager In Training (MIT)

Job Description

Manager-in-Training | Runnings

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at Runnings, located in Sioux Falls, SD. Runnings is a prominent retail organization dedicated to serving communities and providing a wide range of products. The company strongly believes in cultivating leadership from within and offers a structured development program designed for emerging leaders. This Manager-in-Training role is crucial for preparing individuals to step into diverse management positions, such as Assistant Manager, Department Manager, or Store Manager, ensuring strong, effective leadership across the organization in a continually evolving retail landscape.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person, Sioux Falls, SD
• Pay: $19–$23 hourly
• Team: Reports to store and district leadership
• Mission: To cultivate emerging leaders through a structured development program, preparing them for diverse management responsibilities within a retail environment.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Lead Teams: Participate in hands-on leadership training across various functional areas, learning to coach, develop, and motivate team members while building foundational skills in delegation, accountability, and performance management.
• Enhance Customer Service: Deliver and reinforce exceptional customer service standards, contributing to a welcoming and safe environment, and effectively resolving customer concerns with a neighbor-first mindset.
• Manage Operations: Gain comprehensive exposure to daily store operations, including opening/closing procedures, inventory management, and merchandising execution, assisting in driving department and store performance.
• Analyze Performance: Learn to interpret basic financial and operational metrics, applying them to decision-making, and partnering with leadership and cross-functional teams to support company objectives.
• Foster Talent & Safety: Participate in recruiting, onboarding, and training processes to support employee engagement and growth, while actively promoting a safe environment and adhering to loss prevention standards.

The Must-Haves
• Background: This role requires an individual poised for a managerial career, specifically focused on developing into an operational leadership position within a retail setting. The program is designed for emerging leaders who are ready to engage deeply in all aspects of store operations, team leadership, and customer service.
• Experience: Candidates must demonstrate strong potential to lead teams effectively and deliver measurable results within a retail environment.
• Skills: Possess an organized and detail-oriented approach to managing multiple priorities, exhibit clear and professional communication with both customers and team members, demonstrate a passion for delivering outstanding customer service, and show adaptability to a flexible schedule including days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Bonus: A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field is preferred, along with 2 or more years of leadership experience specifically in retail, hospitality, or a similar customer-facing field.