Dakota Station Manager at Prairie Island Indian Community in Welch, MN

SUMMARY:

Dakota Station is seeking a hands-on, experienced retail/convenience store manager to lead daily operations, staff performance, customer service, financial controls, fuel and food-service compliance, and overall store profitability. The Manager is responsible for creating a clean, safe, welcoming, and well-run store environment while representing the Prairie Island Indian Community with professionalism, confidentiality, and respect for Native American culture.

This role requires a proven manager who can lead people, control costs, manage inventory, use data and point-of-sale/back-office systems, solve operational issues, and maintain accountability across all shifts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties and responsibilities are not meant to be all inclusive and may be adjusted to meet business needs.

1. Store Leadership and Staffing: Recruit, hire, schedule, train, coach, evaluate, and hold team members accountable; conduct performance reviews; ensure appropriate coverage across shifts; and fill in when business needs require.
2. Operational Excellence and Customer Experience: Oversee day-to-day store operations; ensure prompt, courteous customer service; maintain cleanliness and safety inside and outside the store; ensure shelves, coolers, freezers, and displays are stocked effectively.
3. Financial Performance and Controls: Develop and manage the annual budget; control labor, expenses, cash, sales promotions, and daily/weekly bookkeeping; monitor store profitability; and use reports to identify opportunities for improved performance.
4. Inventory, Vendors, and Merchandising: Manage inventory control, ordering, product assortment, pricing support, promotions, shrink reduction, vendor coordination, and product freshness/quality.
5. Fuel, Food Service, and Regulatory Compliance: Follow prescribed gasoline strategy; monitor fuel competition and gasoline compliance; ensure food safety, required certifications, licensing, equipment operation, and compliance with store policies and applicable regulations.
6. Systems, Reporting, and Communication: Use POS/back-office systems and Microsoft Office to manage store information; communicate policies, processes, new items, and operational updates to staff; hold regular staff meetings; and provide timely reports to the Tribal Administrator and Finance Director.
7. Policy, Confidentiality, and Tribal Enterprise Alignment: Enforce policies and procedures; maintain strict confidentiality; support the Community’s strategic plan; work effectively within the tribal government structure; and perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Minimum of five (5) years of progressive retail, convenience store, grocery, fuel, or similar operational management experience, including direct supervision of staff.
3. Demonstrated experience managing schedules, labor costs, budgets, sales, inventory, cash controls, vendor relationships, and operational reporting.
4. Strong leadership, coaching, problem-solving, customer service, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
5. Ability to prioritize, manage multiple tasks, work independently with minimal supervision, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment.
6. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, and ability to learn and use POS/back-office systems.
7. Willingness and flexibility to work or respond to business needs on all shifts, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency coverage when necessary.
8. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, work well with the existing team and government structure, and demonstrate sensitivity to Native American culture.
9. Valid driver’s license and proof of insurability.
10. Current Minnesota Food Handler Certification, or ability to obtain and maintain certification within the required timeframe.
11. Must pass required drug screen and criminal background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Associate or bachelor’s degree in business, retail management, hospitality, or a related field.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: *

• Must have the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to stand or walk up to ten hours per day regularly

REQUIRED TRAINING:

• Effectively Handling Harassment training
• Any position-related training as determined by department manager

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed primarily in a convenience store setting, but may include occasional outdoor activities

DISCLAIMER AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

All Prairie Island Indian Community employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship

The Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance applies to this and all employment opportunities for the Community.

*See physical demand analysis for more detailed information