Product Operations Manager

Indigo is a physical and digital place inspired by and filled with books, ideas, beautifullydesigned lifestyle products, and the creative people who help make it all happen. We believein real books, living life fully and generously, being kind to each other and to the environment,and that stories — big and little — connect us. Indigo is our customer's happy place — for joyfulmoments of discovery and to connect with people who share their passion for reading, theirbelief in ideas, and their commitment to making the world a better and more beautiful place.OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLESOur Mission is to inspire reading and enrich the lives of booklovers. As such, we believe inthe power of people and their stories. We aim to attract top talent, nurture the potential ofour employees, and create space for everyone to thrive. Our Guiding Principles are thefew key ideas that are meant to influence everything we do, every day.We Will Hire, Inspire, Promote and Retain the BestWe Will Be EntrepreneurialWe Will Be Committed to Caring About Each Other, Our Communities, and Our EnvironmentWe Will Be Committed to True and Shared Value CreationWe Will Be Systems Thinking, Data Driven and AI enabledJob Description
The Product Operations Manager translates Indigo’s visual merchandising priorities into locally relevant execution, strengthening community connection and brand affinity while delivering a customer-centric experience that drives sales, engagement, loyalty, and profitability.Through a continuous improvement lens, this role ensures that every stage of the product life cycle is executed efficiently and in alignment with brand standards, creating moments of discovery and joyful interaction. This includes ensuring that all product operations processes—including changeovers, door-to-floor, returns, cycle counting, markdowns, promotional setup, reportal maintenance, and inventory—are executed to standard, and that all merchandising reflects the Indigo brand.The Product Operations Manager is a key driver of product operations processes and results, fostering a high-performance, customer-focused environment where employees build their capabilities, contribute to team success, and bring the Indigo brand to life through meaningful business outcomes.KEY PERFORMANCE METRICSNet Promoter Score (NPS)Net sales and profitabilityKey Process Scorecard resultsVisual Merchandising Assessment (VMA) execution and action plan completionDoor-to-floor units per hour (UPH)Store engagement scoreKEY RESPONSIBILITIES – what the work isLeads execution of product operations priorities at the store level, translating Indigo's strategic direction into operational plans that drive inventory accuracy, product availability, operational efficiency, and profitability.Supports the General Manager in delivering store objectives, identifying operational risks and barriers to execution and implementing solutions that improve consistency, productivity, and results.Provides leadership, direction, and ongoing support to Product Operations Leader(s)/Visual Operations Leader(s), ensuring inventory management, product flow, merchandising, promotional execution, and operational standards are executed consistently and effectively.Ensures the Indigo Experience and R.E.A.D. customer service model are consistently brought to life through strong Sales Generation Leader (SGL) practices, including active, in-the-moment coaching to reinforce behaviours, elevate execution, and drive customer engagement and results.Owns clear and consistent communication of business priorities to the operations and visual team, leveraging Employee Hub, communication boards, and the DSR process to ensure alignment, understanding, and execution.Owns the operational cycle and product flow within the store, leveraging sales, inventory, shrink, and process performance data to establish priorities, identify opportunities, and drive consistent execution of inventory management routines, including MyCount, Reportal, returns, audits, markdowns, and related inventory control processes.Drives operational excellence across inventory and back-of-house processes, maintaining strong organization, compliance, inventory integrity, and loss prevention practices.Leads merchandising and operational execution, ensuring product presentation, promotions, signage, inventory routines, and story changeovers are executed consistently and in alignment with company standards.Supports labour planning and workload management by helping align operational priorities, team deployment, and available resources.Reinforces clarity of roles, responsibilities, and accountability across the operations and visual team, ensuring alignment to the store structure and RASI model.Recruits, develops, and retains high-performing teams through structured onboarding, coaching, and ongoing development.Participates in store talent review, calibration, and succession planning, identifying high-potential employees and supporting their development and growth.Identifies and addresses performance, conduct, and engagement risks within the team, taking appropriate action to maintain a strong, values-aligned culture.Drives employee engagement through strong employee relations, meaningful action planning, and fostering a collaborative, inclusive team environment.Leads store health and safety practices, ensuring compliance with all provincial policies, procedures, and standards while fostering a safe environment for employees and customers.Models and embeds Indigo’s guiding principles and values, fostering a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.Reports to: General ManagerManager once Removed (MOR): Regional Director/District ManagerKEY RELATIONSHIPSInternal:Store employeesStore leadership teamRegional Human Resources ManagerRegional Visual Merchandising ManagerRetail Operations teamExternal:CustomersLandlord/facilities contacts and service providers, as requiredQualifications
2-3 years of progressive leadership experience in a specialty retail and/or multi-unit environment, with experience leading teams in a customer-facing environmentCollege degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and relevant experienceExperience leading and executing operational, inventory, and/or merchandising processes, translating direction into clear actions that drive resultsStrong business acumen, with the ability to interpret sales, inventory, shrink, and operational performance metrics to identify opportunities and implement focused action plansProven ability to recruit, develop, and retain engaged, high-performing teams, with a focus on coaching and developing front-line employeesEffective communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and resolve escalated customer and team member situationsDemonstrated operational discipline and strong understanding of merchandising, inventory control, product flow, compliance, and loss prevention, with the ability to drive consistent execution across multiple priorities in a fast-paced retail environment.Adaptable and agile, with the ability to respond to change and leverage technology (including AI-enabled tools) to improve operational efficiency and team effectivenessMaintains/obtains required role-specific certifications (e.G., First Aid, Joint Health & Safety Committee) in alignment with provincial and store requirementsDemonstrates sound judgment, resilience, and a proactive, solutions-oriented mindsetFull alignment with Indigo's values as reflected in the Guiding PrinciplesA passion for Indigo's mission and delivering exceptional operational execution, product presentation, and team experiencesAbility to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidaysAbility to be mobile on the sales floor for extended periods and safely lift medium to large items (up to 40 lbs) using appropriate equipment and techniquesBilingualism (French/English) required for roles based in QuebecAdditional Information
Physical & Scheduling RequirementsThe Product Operations Manager plays a hands-on leadership role in supporting all aspects of store operations, inventory flow, and product execution. This position requires flexibility to support business needs, including early morning shifts with start times as early as 5:00 a.M. multiple days per week for receiving, inventory management, merchandising, and operational priorities.The role is highly active and requires the ability to:Frequently lift, move, and carry boxes and merchandise weighing up to 40 lbs or moreSafely use ladders and material-handling equipment as requiredStand and walk for extended periods throughout the workdayBend, reach, squat, push, and pull merchandise and fixtures regularlyWork in stockrooms, receiving areas, and on the sales floor in a fast-paced retail environmentThe successful candidate will be comfortable balancing leadership responsibilities with hands-on operational work and maintaining a strong physical presence throughout the store on most shifts.Indigo uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with certain aspects of the hiring process, such as screening and assessments. These tools support our team but do not replace human judgment. We are committed to using AI responsibly, fairly, and in compliance with applicable employment and anti-discrimination laws. We regularly review these tools to help prevent bias or discrimination.At Indigo, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility are core to our values. We integrate these principles into our training, policies, and hiring practices and continuously evolve to reflect the needs of the communities we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and lived experiences, including but not limited to individuals who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour), members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and persons with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at View email address on ca.hrm.tc respect your privacy throughout the recruitment process. Our Candidate Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you apply for a role with Indigo, and the choices available to you.This posting is for a current opportunity within Indigo.By clicking the link above or any third-party link within this posting, you are leaving this site and going to a third-party website where the third-party website's terms and privacy policy apply
#J-18808-Ljbffr