Store Manager in Training

Interested in Managing a Goodwill Store? Let’s Get You Ready.

At Goodwill of Western New York, we’re not just filling today's leadership positions. We’re building our next generation of Store Managers.

Our StoreManager in Training (SMIT) program is designed for proven leaders who are ready for their next challenge and want to develop the skills to lead an entire retail operation.

The SMIT serves as a developing store leader, progressively taking on Store Manager-level responsibilities while building the leadership, operational, financial, and decision-making skills needed to independently manage a Goodwill retail location.

The SMIT's primary responsibility is management of people and store operations. Through progressively increasing leadership assignments, coaching and hands-on management experience, the SMIT develops the competencies necessary to independently lead a Goodwill retail location. 

The goal? Get you Store Manager-ready.

What You'll Learn to Own

Lead People

Great stores start with great teams.

You'll learn how to:

• Direct, coach, motivate, develop, and hold employees accountable.
• Set clear expectations and ensure employees understand what success looks like.
• Lead daily huddles and communicate business priorities.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, training, and employee development.
• Provide meaningful performance feedback and recommendations.
• Identify high-potential employees and help develop future leaders.
• Lead confidently through change and reinforce a culture of accountability.

Learn the Entire Business

To run a store, you need to understand how every part of it connects.

You'll gain hands-on management experience across:

• Donation operations
• Softlines and wares production
• Pricing and processing
• Merchandising and sales-floor execution
• Customer and donor experience
• Staffing and labor management
• Cash handling
• Safety and Loss Prevention
• Store opening and closing
• Salvage and recycling
• Financial and operational performance

You'll learn not just what happens in a Goodwill store, but why it happens and how to manage it successfully.

Master the Store Schedule

Scheduling isn't just filling shifts. It's putting the right people in the right places at the right times.

You'll progressively take ownership of the store scheduling process, including:

• Forecasting staffing needs.
• Creating effective schedules.
• Understanding employee availability.
• Managing labor expectations.
• Planning appropriate coverage.
• Adjusting staffing in real time as business needs change.

Manage the Numbers

A Store Manager needs to understand what drives the business.

You'll learn to monitor and manage key performance indicators such as:

• Sales
• Production
• Labor utilization
• Donations
• Sell-through
• Quality
• Round Up
• Safety and operational compliance
• Audit results

More importantly, you'll learn how to recognize when performance is off track and take action to improve it.

Make Decisions

You'll develop the judgment and confidence to make day-to-day management decisions involving:

• Employee deployment
• Staffing and floor coverage
• Production workflow
• Customer and donor concerns
• Employee coaching and accountability
• Safety and operational issues
• Store priorities

As your experience grows, so will your responsibility.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is already a leader and is ready to learn how to lead an entire retail business.

You could be a great fit if you:

• Have retail, service, production, hospitality, or related operational experience.
• Have experience leading, supervising, or directing employees.
• Know how to motivate a team and hold people accountable.
• Are comfortable making decisions and taking ownership of results.
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change quickly.
• Are curious about the business and want to understand how all the pieces fit together.
• Can balance people, customers, operations, and results.
• Aren't afraid to jump in when your team needs you.
• Want feedback, development, and increasing responsibility.
• Are willing to learn from experienced leaders while developing your own leadership style.
• Are ready to eventually run a store of your own.

Mobility Matters

Part of preparing to become a Store Manager is gaining experience where the business needs you.

Candidates should be able to travel among our store locations throughout Goodwill of WNY's territory and be open to placement at an available store location as future opportunities arise.

This Isn't Just Another Management Job

We're looking at the Store Manager in Training position differently. We're looking for future Store Managers.

You'll be challenged. You'll receive coaching. You'll learn different parts of the operation. You'll be given increasing responsibility. And you'll have opportunities to demonstrate that you're ready for the next step.

Successful completion of the MIT program does not guarantee immediate placement into a Store Manager position. Advancement is based on demonstrated performance and readiness, organizational needs, and available opportunities.

Lead. Learn. Grow. Make an Impact.

At Goodwill of Western New York, our retail stores do more than sell donated goods. The work happening inside our stores helps support our mission and creates opportunities in the communities we serve.

If you're ready to lead people, learn the business, own results, and prepare to run your own store, we want to hear from you. 

Your next management job could be the one that prepares you to run the whole business. Apply today.