If you love walking, running and inspiring others to stay healthy and active, consider applying to join BBay Running. We look for bright, enthusiastic, driven team players seeking a long-term position who are passionate about our local running and walking community. BBay offers a wonderfully healthy and enjoyable work environment.

BBay Running is a walking & running shoes store in the heart of downtown Bellingham, Washington. We are experts in providing healthy lifestyle solutions in running and walking shoes, cross-training shoes, apparel and accessories. BBay Running is the oldest running & walking shoe store in Whatcom County.

Positions Available

Store Manager

BBay Running, the oldest running shoe store in Whatcom county, is hiring a Retail Store Manager who has experience in retail, sales, merchandising and exceptional customer service. Your retail experience includes that in footwear, clothing, accessories and sports nutrition. You are an absolute people person. You have an entrepreneur spirit yourself. You may have worked in vendor sales before or perhaps even had your own store or a desire to have one. You have a deep well of energy and a desire to succeed.

At BBay, we are a team of running and fitness enthusiasts with a passion for helping and inspiring others to live an active, healthy lifestyle. Our downtown Bellingham store offers personalized shoe fitting and gait analysis services to help find the perfect footwear, apparel and accessories to keep our customers enjoying their active life, running, walking, working out and exploring. Our store also manages the largest endurance training program in the area.

If you currently lead or are interested in leading an active and healthy lifestyle, BBay Running will be a great fit for you. We are looking for qualified leaders that take the initiative to problem solving in order to successfully support the business.

Qualities of Ideal Candidate

Sales Associates’ responsibilities include working closely with customers to determine their needs, answer their questions about our products and recommend the right solutions. The position will promptly resolve customer issues and ensure maximum client satisfaction. A successful Sales Associate will stay up-to-date with products features and maintain our store’s visual appearance in high standards.

  • Appreciation for running and fitness. Interest in fitness-related products. Interest in running footwear and active apparel!
  • Customer and team-first leadership: leads and coaches from the sales floor, balancing requirements of company communication, store operations, and planning while remaining sales floor focused. We run our business from the sales floor
  • Create long term community relationships, develop and partner with in-and-out of store events, identify new avenues of growing the store’s running and fitness community
  • A runner with knowledge of running footwear is a strong plus
  • Seeking a long-term position with the possibility in a share of ownership
  • Loves Bellingham and calls this area home

How does the Store Manager contribute?

The Store Manager is accountable for managing all day-to-day operations of the store by performing the following main duties:

  • Supervises store personnel
  • Monitors staffing, scheduling, and motivation of staff
  • Recruits and hires new staff as needed
  • Maintains a structured store training program
  • Monitors operations to ensure that standards are met and maintained regarding customer service, merchandise presentations, store cleanliness, shrinkage and operating cost controls
  • Monitors deliveries to, shipment from, and product movement within the store to ensure effective inventory and merchandise management
  • Demonstrates salesmanship skills by maintaining sales and accessory levels as per established profit goals
  • Ensures the fiscal integrity of the store by accounting for all cash, merchandise and other store assets
  • Holds accountability for store sales and metrics
  • Holds accountability for stock and merchandise flow
  • Maintains company standards regarding store sales/performance metrics
  • Additional duties and projects as required

Qualifications

  • Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university; or 1 – 2-year related experience and/or training
  • Computer Skills: Should have basic to intermediate knowledge and abilities with Google Docs and Sheets. Experience with point of sale systems desired.
  • Communication: Must be an effective communicator with internal and external individuals at all levels. This includes spoken, written, electronic, and presentation skills. Communication should be consistently constructive and professional.
  • Decision Making: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Uses specialized knowledge to go beyond the routine to solve complex problems that frequently affect areas beyond their own functional area. Must be able to approach unfamiliar situations, projects, and opportunities with confidence and curiosity.
  • Term: Seeking long-term position
  • Must be a good team player
  • Fully vaccinated for COVID-19

Physical Demands

  • Requires standing approximately 4 – 6 hours per day usually 5 days per week, including weekends
  • During peak sale periods (e.g. Holiday, Back-to-School, local events), will work for long periods throughout an 6 – 9-hour day
  • Requires stooping and kneeling to place merchandise on customer’s feet as well as reaching and pulling to obtain or stock merchandise on storage racks
  • Required to climb a ladder or ascend/descend stairs in order to stock and/or acquire merchandise for sale
  • Required to lift items weighing 5 – 25 lbs regularly. In certain circumstances, weights may be higher
  • Must speak English clearly in order to converse with customers and effectively supervise staff
  • Must be able to read and write English and perform business-related mathematics in order to carry out normal business and understand sales reports
  • Must have good vision, including color differentiation
  • Required to work 35-40 hours per week
  • Punctuality and regular attendance consistent with the company’s policies are required for the position.

Compensation and Benefits

  • Competitive wage plus bonus plan based on store performance
  • Paid time off
  • Employee Discount: Great Discounts on all shoes, apparel and accessories we carry, plus additional perks and discounts from our vendors
  • Work in an industry for which you are passionate!

Part-time Sales Associate

If you love walking, running and inspiring others to stay healthy and active, consider applying to join BBay Running. We look for bright, enthusiastic, driven, team players seeking a long-term position who are passionate about our local running and walking community. BBay offers a wonderfully healthy and enjoyable work environment.

BBay Running is a walking & running shoes store in the heart of downtown Bellingham. We are experts in providing healthy lifestyle solutions in running and walking shoes, cross-training shoes, apparel and accessories. BBay Running is the oldest running & walking shoe store in Whatcom County.

Responsibilities
Sales Associates’ responsibilities include working closely with customers to determine their needs, answer their questions about our products and recommend the right solutions. The position will promptly resolve customer issues and ensure maximum client satisfaction. A successful Sales Associate will stay up-to-date with products features and maintain our store’s visual appearance in high standards.

  • Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction through excellent sales service
  • Assess customers needs and provide information and recommendations on products
  • Team up with co-workers to ensure proper customer service
  • Build productive trust relationships with customers
  • Remain knowledgeable on products offered and discuss available options
  • Process POS (point of sale) purchases and returns
  • Assist with inventory control
  • Assist in maintaining a clean and attractive store environment

Qualifications

  • Proven work experience as a Retail Sales associate, Sales representative or similar role
  • Basic understanding of sales principles and customer service practices
  • Hands-on experience with POS transactions
  • Familiarity with inventory procedures
  • Solid communication and interpersonal skills
  • Friendly and energetic personality with customer service focus
  • Ability to perform under pressure and address issues in a timely manner
  • Collegiate or high school running athlete highly desirable
  • Fully vaccinated for COVID-19

Physical Requirements

  • Must be able to occasionally lift and handle boxes weighing up to 35 lbs. without assistance
  • Must be able to sit, stand, walk, run, climb stairs, reach overhead
  • Must be able to use a step stool or ladder to access stock
  • Must be able to hear and speak

This is an immediately available position with a consistent schedule that includes Friday, Saturday and Sunday of 20+ hours/week with potential for additional hours. Employee discount benefits. To learn more about BBay Running, this specific job opening, and to apply, visit bbayrunning.com/about/employment. For immediate consideration, submit both application and resume in person at BBay Running, 1431 North State St, Bellingham, WA.

Please note: due to the number of applications we receive we may only contact you if we are setting up an interview. Thank you.

Bottom Line

We are not looking for Sales Associates as much as we desire team members with innate interest in being Healthy Lifestyle Solutions Providers.

INTERESTED IN JOINING BBAY RUNNING’S TEAM?

Please complete our Employment Application, then email it as an attachment along with your resume to info@bbayrunning.com. Email subject line to read as follows: Employment Application – “your last name.” For immediate consideration, submit both application and resume in person at BBay Running, 1431 North State St, Bellingham, WA.

BBay Running provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.