DIRECTOR OF RETAIL OPERATIONS

Reports to: Chief Operations Officer
Status: Regular, Full-time, Exempt 
Location: Anchorage, AK

JOB SUMMARY: The Director of Retail Operations is a key member of Aleut's operations team, responsible for overseeing, enhancing, and scaling retail operations across all divisions. This role drives the strategic vision for the retail division, ensuring operational excellence, customer engagement, and profitability. The Director will lead multi-site operations in Wasilla, Anchorage and act as an advisor for Fairbanks locations, focusing on soft goods, while also exploring and integrating new retail technology, wellness product lines, and performance­ driven merchandising strategies. This role will lead the development and implementation of a growth plan for Aleut's retail division, largely through its subsidiary, Aleut Energy, ensuring alignment with Aleut's overarching goals and market position.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Embrace Aleut’s values: honesty, integrity, accountability, respect, and perseverance. 
• Drive the strategic execution of merchandising initiatives across all Aleut Energy retail locations, ensuring alignment with brand identity, customer expectations, and regional trends.
• Lead the planning and expansion of all Aleut Energy retail product lines, with an emphasis on spa, wellness, and emerging trends tailored to evolving market demands.
• Lead the planning and development of Aleut Ventures retail capabilities and program with a focus on capturing growing tourism dollars on Adak.
• Develop and oversee inventory management systems that support efficient stock movement, visibility, and accuracy across locations, reducing shrink and improving selI- through.
• Optimize product flow and merchandising performance by analyzing sales data, forecasting demand, and aligning replenishment strategies with customer behavior.
• Champion cross-functional collaboration with department teams to support seamless product rollouts and in-store execution.
• Establish and enforce merchandising standards, ensuring visual consistency and high- impact product placement across all stores.
• Monitor category performance, inventory turns, and margin trends to inform purchasing strategies and identify opportunities for growth or rationalization.
• Build and manage vendor relationships to ensure reliable product availability, favorable terms, and alignment with quality and brand standards.
• Lead, mentor, and empower retail managers to execute merchandising plans, maintain inventory integrity, and achieve sales objectives.
• Partner with Aleut Energy to plan, execute, and analyze the effectiveness of in­ store promotions, sales events, and other marketing initiatives.
• Develop and execute integrated retail marketing strategies to drive traffic, increase brand awareness, and enhance customer engagement within the physical stores.
• Conduct frequent site visits to assess merchandising execution, identify operational opportunities, and provide on-the-ground support.
• Coordinate and collaborate with VP of Comms and Marketing to ensure initiatives are on brand. Support operational planning and budget management, ensuring merchandise-driven decisions contribute to financial targets and long-term growth.
• Collaborate with the Communications and Marketing team to ensure alignment of branding, messaging, with promotional strategies and integrated campaigns.
• Work closely with the Comms & Marketing and the Aleut Energy team to design and execute initiatives that enhance brand visibility and customer engagement across all channels.
• Identify operational efficiencies within retail processes and implement strategies to streamline workflows, reduce costs, and enhance productivity for other revenue generating streams.
• Collaborate with internal teams to explore and develop potential revenue streams through strategic partnerships and innovative business models.
• Provide recommendations to the leadership team on expanding income sources, leveraging existing resources, and aligning retail objectives with broader organizational goals. Act as a key operational leader, driving excellence in customer experience, team development, and store-level accountability.
• Support budgeting and resource planning with a focus on merchandise-driven ROI and cost control.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM  QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor's degree in business administration, Retail Management, or related field.
2. Seven (7) years of progressive experience in retail operations, with at least Five (5) years in an executive or multi-site leadership role.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Master's degree in business administration.
2. Experience with Alaska Native Corporations.

REQUIRED TRAVEL

• Frequent travel required to Fairbanks, Wasilla, and Anchorage retail locations.
• Occasional travel to attend executive meetings, conferences, and vendor negotiations.

BENEFITS

• 401K - Employer matching up to 4%. 
• Paid Holidays (13/year). 
• Paid Time Off (accrued bi-weekly, starts at 6.20 hrs per pay period/20 days a year).
• 100% Employer paid Dental/Vision for employees and their qualified dependents. 
• 100% Paid Employee Life Insurance / Disability. 
• Potential for Annual Incentive. 

PREFERENCE STATEMENT

The Aleut Corporation (“Aleut”) is committed to providing employment and development opportunities for our shareholders and descendants. Aleut shall make employment selections first based on qualifications for the position. Preference shall then be given to eligible and qualified TAC shareholders and descendants in accordance with the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 43 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq., and other applicable laws.

Aleut is an equal opportunity employer. Aleut shall select, train, and promote the most qualified individuals based upon relevant work factors such as work quality, attitude, education, and experience, so as not to discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parental status, physical or mental disability, age, status as a disabled veteran, special disabled veteran, Vietnam veteran, and all other eligible veterans, or other classifications protected by applicable law.