Store Operations & Youth Development Manager

Written By Kelly Saavedra

What inspires you? At Project Lemonade we’re inspired to help all youth in our community thrive. We specifically focus our efforts on supporting youth impacted by childhood trauma and foster care. We’re looking for a full-time Store Operations & Youth Development Manager who is passionate & ready to support our mission.

This posting will close on Tuesday, September 29th.

About Project Lemonade

Project Lemonade is a local Portland-based nonprofit with a mission to inspire self-esteem to help Oregon youth in foster care thrive. Our 5 core programs provide resources, opportunities, and connections in a positive and welcoming environment for young people ages 5-24.

Since 2012, Project Lemonade has served over 31,000 foster youth from 32 counties in Oregon and SW Washington. We’ve invested over $5 million to help young people in our community. 

Core Values

Project Lemonade’s core values guide work. We look for people who embody these values:

  • We put the youth we serve at the center of all we do. 

  • We build on strengths and encourage innovation.

  • We are consistent and reliable.

  • We are positive and compassionate. 

  • We advance equitable and inclusive practices. 

Overview 

The Store Operations & Youth Development Manager  oversees the day-to-day store operations at Project Lemonade to ensure a high-quality, youth centered shopping experience.  This role is responsible for direct supervision of intern cohorts while working in the store and backstock space; to include task oversight and skills training.  In addition, this position will provide positive customer service, maintain store appearance, and interface with community partners and volunteers. 

Compensation & Benefits

  • Reports To: Store Program Manager

  • Classification: Hourly, Non-exempt

  • Hourly Wage: $30/hour

  • Hours & Schedule: 32 hours a week; Tues-Friday (9:30am-5:30pm), plus 2 Saturdays a month (4hrs per shift), averaging 34 hours per week

  • Location: On-site at Project Lemonade Store, 240 N Broadway, Portland, OR

  • Benefits: Paid Leave Oregon, OregonSaves retirement, QSEHRA health care reimbursement, generous paid time off.

Duties and Responsibilities 

Store Operations Management

  • Provide a positive and welcoming retail shopping experience for all foster youth shoppers and accompanying parties

  • Retail shopping experience oversight; merchandising, restocking and seasonal inventory rotations and light cleaning; with support from interns and volunteers

  • Front desk operations: Check-in and check-out of clients with accurate data entry. Work directly with caseworkers and families to answer program questions, troubleshoot issues and ensure they have an optimal experience

  • Responsible for opening and closing the store

  • Manage store email inbox and store phone line; responding appropriately and timely to incoming inquiries

  • Support Store Events: Superhero (Last weekend in April), Back to School (Month of August) and Winter Holiday (Month of December)

  • Coordinate with Volunteer Manager; volunteer support needs during peak shopping times

  • Support with Virtual Shopping orders, as needed 

Interns Supervision

  • Partner with Intern Program Manager to deliver high quality internship experience for youth and young adult interns, who are also program participants and have experienced foster care. 

  • Provides day-to-day supervision, coaching, and support for interns working in store and backstock areas

  • Establish daily work priorities, assign responsibilities, monitor progress, and ensure completion of tasks

  • Deliver onboarding, skills training, and ongoing coaching to support intern development

  • Observe performance, provide timely and constructive feedback, and document progress

  • Coordinate with Intern Program Manager to identify intern growth opportunities, address performance concerns, and contribute to mid-point and final evaluation

  • Foster a positive, trauma-informed, and youth-centered learning environment that promotes skill-building, accountability, and professional growth

  • Ensure compliance with workplace safety procedures and organizational policies, addressing concerns promptly and appropriately

Additional Duties: 

  • Provide insights to Inventory Coordinator on current trends, requests of youth, low inventory items when identified

  • Support annual physical inventory count 

  • Maintain consistent attendance and punctuality for scheduled Saturday shifts, which are critical to store operations. As the sole staff member on duty, this position is responsible for independently opening, operating, and securing the store while responding appropriately to operational, customer service, and safety needs

Qualifications 

We will hire the person with the best combination of the following skills and experience. We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet all qualifications. 

Candidates with lived experience and from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. 

  • 3+ years experience coaching, mentoring, case managing, or supervising youth or young adults in a work, program, or educational setting

  • Ability to provide structure, accountability, constructive feedback, and support for individual growth and development

  • Strong communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills

    • Communicating with youth, families, volunteers, and caseworkers on both practical and sensitive matters, in a way that is consistently supportive, positive, and centers the youth experience. 

    • Address and support challenging behaviors/situations with interns, shoppers or guardians. 

  • Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment while managing daily operations

  • Commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and trauma-informed environment

  • Retail, customer service, workforce development, or related experience preferred

    Preferred, but not required:

  • Lived experience, or experience working in a youth-serving organization

  • Knowledge of the child welfare system

  • A Bachelor’s degree

  • Spanish speaking 

Workspace Accessibility 

● Work location: Project Lemonade Store at 240 N Broadway, Portland OR 97227

● Project Lemonade operates on the basement floor of the Left Bank building with ADA-compliant access.

● Ability to lift up to 25lbs; packages and clothing donations, will occasionally be required.

● Noise level in the workspace fluctuates with shopping and direct service delivery. 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Project Lemonade is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to fostering a community that is equitable and inclusive. We provide staff training and work towards equity goals. 

How to Apply

Please apply via email at careers@projectlemonadepdx.org with the subject line “Store Operations & Youth Development Manager (First & Last Name)” and include (1) your resume and (2) a statement of interest, either in the email body or separate cover letter.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  We are only able to reply to applicants who are moved forward. 

This posting will close on Tuesday, September 29th.

Project Lemonade is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Kelly Saavedra