Director of Retail & Distribution - Glacier National Park
Columbia Falls, Montana
FULL_TIME |
Overview

2027 Glacier Banner

 

Live. Work. Explore. as a part of our Retail team in Columbia Falls, the gateway to Glacier National Park!


At Glacier National Park Lodges, we depend on our team members to be highly motivated, committed, share our vision and work together to attain it, while our work environment encourages responsibility for personal growth and promotes pride in each employee. No matter what your job is, you will be a proud steward of the park and play an essential role in providing warm and friendly hospitality to all our guests.

 

We’re hiring a Director of Retail & Distribution to Live. Work. Explore. in Columbia Falls, Montana!

 

Job Summary:
Provides strategic and hands-on leadership for the day-to-day
operation of all Glacier National Park retail outlets, including gift shops, general stores, and food
and beverage grab-and-go operations located within retail locations. The position also oversees
warehouse and supply chain operations, including the central distribution center and parkwide
distribution truck operation. Responsible for the overall financial and operational performance of
the department, including inventory control, merchandising, product availability, labor
management, leadership development, guest service, and compliance with Public Health and
National Park Service (NPS) concession requirements and company standards. This position
works closely with the Corporate Retail team, including the Vice President of Retail and
corporate buying staff, to ensure effective product selection and flow, appropriate inventory
levels, consistent merchandising standards, and operational excellence throughout the retail
operation. The Retail Director also collaborates with property leadership, Human Resources,
Finance, Sustainability, vendors, suppliers, and other operational departments to achieve
financial objectives, maintain contractual compliance, develop strong retail leaders, and deliver
exceptional guest experience.

 

The Details:
Position Type: Year-Round
Salary Range: $73,216 - $79,664
Housing: Employee housing is not available

 

Life in Columbia Falls

  • Free Glacier National Park pass
  • Retail, Lodging and Travel Discounts
  • Planned employee trips and activities
  • $350 Referral Bonus Program

Benefits:

  • Xanterra offers competitive benefit programs and services for eligible employees. For more information, click here. 

Responsibilities

Provide overall leadership and hands-on oversight of retail operations at Many Glacier Hotel, Lake McDonald Lodge, Rising Sun Motor Inn, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, and Two Medicine Campstore, as well as associated warehouse, central distribution, and parkwide delivery operations. Oversee two retail grab-and-go food operations located at Heidi’s and Two Medicine, including the barista and specialty coffee operation at Heidi’s, ensuring appropriate food safety, sanitation, product quality, and service standards.


Support Store Managers in achieving operational, financial, Legendary Hospitality™,
merchandising, safety, sustainability, and contractual objectives. Oversee distribution fleet
operations, including the collection and transportation of cardboard recycling from park locations, ensuring materials are handled and disposed of in accordance with established safety,
sustainability, and environmental practices.


Maintain a visible presence across retail locations, requiring regular travel throughout Glacier
National Park, including drive times of up to five hours from the home office. Must be willing and
able to operate a company vehicle for business-related travel and periodically stay overnight at
Glacier properties when necessary to effectively support operations.


Financial Performance & Business Planning Participate in the development of the annual
Retail operating and financial plan. Monitor revenue, cost of sales, labor, inventory, productivity,
and other key performance indicators; identify variances and implement corrective action as
needed. Ensure staffing levels and labor schedules support business demand while maximizing
productivity and maintaining excellent guest service. Partner with the General Manager and
Corporate Retail team to develop and manage annual capital and CEA plans.

Inventory Management & Loss Prevention Lead inventory control processes across the Retail
Department, including receiving, transfers, pricing, cash handling, shrink prevention, and
inventory system accuracy. Coordinate and oversee annual physical inventories. Ensure
consistent compliance with established inventory control policies and procedures. Work with
Corporate Retail, vendors, warehouse operations, and local suppliers to maintain appropriate
product levels and timely distribution throughout the season.


Merchandising & Product Strategy Support the selection of high-quality merchandise that
meets Xanterra, Corporate Retail, and NPS concession standards. Ensure stores follow
Corporate Visual Merchandising Standards and established merchandising best practices.
Monitor required product markups, pricing requirements, and other NPS retail compliance
standards. Maintain effective communication and professional relationships with Corporate Retail
personnel, vendors, suppliers, and peers.


NPS & Company Compliance Ensure retail locations comply with applicable NPS Concessions
Contract requirements, operating standards, and evaluation criteria. Coordinate timely responses
and corrective actions associated with Public Health inspections, NPS evaluations, and internal
Retail Standards Reviews. Ensure all required Corporate and NPS contractual reports,
documentation, approval requests, and other required submissions are accurate, complete, and
submitted within established deadlines. Maintain a working knowledge of Corporate Retail
policies, procedures, and standards and ensure consistent implementation throughout the
department.


Leadership, Staffing & Employee Development Partner with Human Resources to recruit,
interview, select, and onboard seasonal retail employees and supervisors. Train, develop, and
support Store Managers and other retail leaders in building effective, engaged teams. Ensure
employee performance evaluations are completed accurately and on time. Coordinate and
support training related to guest service, merchandising, cash handling, inventory controls,
safety, store cleanliness, operational standards, food safety standards, Training for Intervention ProcedureS (TIPS) barista training and Xanterra Core Values. Address employee concerns
professionally, consistently, and in partnership with Human Resources when appropriate. 

 

Guest Experience Promote a culture of Legendary Hospitality™ throughout all retail locations.
Ensure guest concerns and service recovery opportunities are handled promptly, sincerely, and
professionally. Maintain retail and grab & go dining environments that are welcoming, clean, well
stocked, visually appealing, and reflective of Glacier National Park and Xanterra standards.


Safety & Sustainability Partner with Risk and Sustainability leadership to promote a strong
culture of safety and environmental responsibility throughout Retail, Supply Chain and
Distribution operations. Ensure compliance with established safety policies and procedures,
proactively identify and address workplace hazards, and reinforce employee accountability for
safe work practices. Support Xanterra’s environmental goals related to merchandise purchasing,
packaging, transportation, waste reduction, product messaging, and operational practices.
Demonstrate and reinforce a consistent commitment to Xanterra’s safety and environmental
standards.


Capital Projects & Store Improvements Provide Retail leadership and operational input for
store renovations, retrofits, capital improvements, equipment purchases, and other department
projects. Coordinate with Corporate Retail and property leadership from project development
through implementation and completion.


Additional Responsibilities Maintain professional and effective communication and
collaboration with leadership, colleagues, and other operational departments. Set a positive
example for employees by consistently demonstrating a professional appearance, demeanor,
and conduct appropriate to a senior leadership position. Take initiative to participate in and
support company, office, employee, and community events and activities, serving as an engaged
representative of the organization. Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

 


Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Strong financial and analytical skills, including experience
interpreting sales performance, cost of sales, labor, inventory, financial statements, budgets,
and purchasing agreements. Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to build
effective working relationships with managers, employees, corporate leadership, vendors,
suppliers, business partners, and National Park Service Concessions personnel. Excellent
written and verbal communication, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel, as well as
computerized point-of-sale (POS), inventory management, and related retail systems.
Demonstrated ability to lead in a fast-paced, seasonal, and geographically dispersed operation
while maintaining a strong commitment to safety, operational excellence, and Legendary
Hospitality™. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and meet company
requirements for operating company vehicles, including a satisfactory driving record with no
more than one traffic violation within the previous three years. Must possess and maintain a
valid driver’s license and meet company requirements for operating company vehicles, including

a satisfactory driving record with no more than one traffic violation within the previous three
years. Must also successfully complete and meet company standards for a pre-employment
background check. 

 

Experience: Minimum of five years of progressive retail management experience in a high
volume, high-sales, multi-unit retail environment, with demonstrated experience leading
managers and geographically dispersed operations. Experience with food service operations,
preferably including grab-and-go, coffee/specialty beverage, or other retail-based food and
beverage concepts. Experience with warehouse or distribution center operations, supply chain
management, inventory control, receiving, product distribution, and logistics preferred.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Retail, Hospitality,
Marketing, Supply Chain Management, or a related field preferred. Significant relevant
management and operational experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

 

 

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Work Environment: This position operates in a highly seasonal environment. The off-season
is primarily office-based with a more consistent business hours schedule focused on planning
and administrative responsibilities. During peak season, the role is fast-paced, hands-on, and
guest-facing, requiring frequent travel to dispersed park locations and direct support of managers
and employees. Extended days, weekends, holidays, and occasional overnight stays will be
required to meet operational needs.


Supervisory Responsibility: Directly supervises the Assistant Director of Retail, Warehouse
Manager, and Supply Chain Manager, with overall leadership responsibility for a department of
up to 84 employees during peak season. Direct reports oversee additional year-round and
seasonal staff within their respective areas. Primary leadership positions are full-time with an
annual furlough period of two to three months.


Physical Requirements: Ability to regularly sit, stand, walk, bend, and navigate stairs and
uneven surfaces in lodges, warehouse, food service, and outdoor environments. Must be able
to safely operate a company vehicle for extended periods and travel frequently between in-park
locations. Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds and assist with hands-on operational
needs when necessary. Must be able to work extended periods on their feet and adapt to
varying weather and environmental conditions.

 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.