Books-A-Million Jobs Hiring Now

About the Job

You believe books change lives, and you're ready to lead a store that puts the right one in every customer's hands. Ready to lead a store of your own? As General Manager in Training, you'll learn every side of leading a Books-A-Million store—its team, its customers, its community, and its results—by running the day-to-day operation alongside your management team under the direction of your General Manager. Upon successful completion of the GMIT program, you'll be considered for a store location of your own. This is a leadership role based in one of our Books-A-Million retail store locations, built for leaders who are ready to take the helm.

Role Summary

The General Manager in Training is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the store as a Manager On Duty in conjunction with the management team to elevate sales and customer service, and assists the General Manager in all aspects of store operations. You'll learn what it takes to own a store, from the numbers to the people—achieving sales and profit goals, controlling budgetary expenses, and building a team through training, development, and accountability. A passion for books isn't just a plus—it's where it all starts. As book retail continues to evolve, you'll get ready to help shape what's next for a store and community of your own.

Role Responsibilities

Store Leadership & Results

• Learn to run a store that changes lives, one book at a time. As Manager On Duty, lead and operate the store in line with all company policies and guidelines, driving sales, profits, and customer service every shift.

• Turn big-picture plans into everyday results by planning, organizing, and directing store activities under the direction of the General Manager, so every day starts with clear direction and ends with measurable progress.

• Build the business sense to lead a store of your own by learning the store's financials alongside the General Manager—reading the numbers, controlling budgetary expenses, and turning insight into action.

• Be the leader your store can count on—create a safe, secure environment where associates can thrive, customers feel welcome, and the store runs with care and confidence.

Team Leadership

• Build a team that loves books and delivers for customers by partnering with the General Manager to hire great talent, put the right people in the right place, and create schedules and daily priorities that keep everyone focused on what matters most.

• Grow the leaders around you by coaching, training, and developing the Management staff under the direction of the General Manager, building a leadership team that carries your standards into every shift.

• Be the General Manager's partner on people—strengthening performance, recognizing contributions, and creating accountability across the team with care and honesty.

• Keep everyone connected and moving in the same direction through daily briefings and weekly and monthly meetings that ensure every associate knows the goals, the plan, and why it matters.

Customer Experience & Community

• Make every customer feel like they belong by setting the highest standard for customer service and turning customer challenges into opportunities to build lasting loyalty.

• Make your store part of the neighborhood's story by helping the General Manager build and maintain community relations and partnerships that strengthen the store's reputation and bring readers through the door.

Store Operations

• Keep great books within reach by ensuring product flows efficiently through the store, so the right titles are on the shelves when customers come looking.

• Give customers something great to notice by maintaining category merchandising and cleanliness and ensuring operational efficiency, so every table and shelf offers something worth picking up.

• Handle the behind-the-scenes details that keep the store running smoothly, from dropping off the bank deposit to picking up the change order as needed.

• Keep the café ready to serve by making sure essential supplies are always stocked, fresh, and available when the team and customers need them.

Additional Responsibilities

• Every shift is different, and great stores run on leaders who jump in wherever they're needed. Be the leader your team can count on, on the busiest day and the quietest one.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Duties may vary depending on store size or store volume.

Role Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• 21 years of age or older

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Previous experience in a supervisor role

• Strong customer service skills

• Demonstrated ability to act in a mature and conscientious manner

• Ability to supervise a large number of associates

• Strong decision-making, communication, and merchandising skills

• Successful completion of all required background screenings

Preferred Qualifications:

• A college degree in a business-related field, bringing the business sense to read the numbers, spot opportunities, and turn insight into results.

• Experience in book, specialty, or media retail, and a genuine excitement for where the industry is headed.

• A genuine love of books and reading — with the curiosity to know what's new, what's trending, and what customers are excited about.

• An ownership mindset — taking action, making decisions with confidence, and holding yourself and your team accountable for results.

• A commitment to connection and community — building genuine relationships with customers, associates, and local partners, and creating a store that feels welcoming, relevant, and truly part of the neighborhood.

• A passion for developing others — coaching, training, and growing a team that's ready for what's next.

• A drive to grow — ready to turn every lesson from the GMIT program into a store of your own.

Work Environment & Expectations

Physical requirements:

• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time

• Must be able to use hands/arms to operate a keyboard and telephone for repetitive motion activities

• Must be able to lift or team lift objects up to 50 lbs., with or without assistance

• Must be able to communicate using speech, sight, and sound with or without an assistive device

• Must be able to stand, walk, climb, bend, stoop, or crouch while performing daily activities of the job

Scheduling requirements:

• All managers follow the 3 or 4 Manager Rotation schedule, depending on the number of managers in the store.

• All managers must have open availability and be able to work opening shifts, closing shifts, or other shifts as needed, OR have availability approved by District Manager if open availability is not possible.

• All managers are Full Time and may work up to 45 hours per week.

The Perks

At Books-A-Million, we're in the business of connecting people with stories—but our story starts with our associates. We believe that when our people feel supported, valued, and cared for, they're empowered to do their best work and create exceptional experiences for our customers.

• Competitive Compensation: Competitive pay with opportunities to earn performance-based incentives that recognize your contributions.

• Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with Healthcare and Dependent Care Spending Accounts to help you care for yourself and those who depend on you.

• Financial Protection: Life insurance and disability coverage that provide peace of mind when you need it most.

• Retirement Savings: A 401(k) plan with company matching contributions to help you invest in your future with confidence.

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off so you can recharge, celebrate life's moments, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

• Employee Discounts: Special discounts on books, gifts, toys, collectibles, and more—because we believe the things you love should be a little more accessible.

• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential counseling, resources, and support for you and your family whenever life brings unexpected challenges.

Benefit availability and eligibility are based on applicable requirements, including hours worked, employment status, position, and other plan-specific eligibility criteria.

When you join Books-A-Million, you're joining more than a workplace—you're becoming part of a team that believes in supporting one another, celebrating successes, and growing together as a community. We're proud to invest in our associates because when you thrive, we all do.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Books-A-Million is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.