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BackRoads Brews + Shoes — Kitchener
Store Manager 

BackRoads Brews + Shoes is a specialty running store + taproom built around great product, great service, and the kind of place people want to hang out after a run. We carry a curated lineup of footwear and gear for running and walking, and we bring the community together through social runs and events.

We’re opening our Kitchener-Waterloo location and we’re looking for a Store Manager who can help build the culture from day one: lead the in-store team, run clean operations, deliver an excellent customer experience, and help make BackRoads KW a true hub for runners.

This is a hands-on, in-store, on the floor leadership role.

Role Details

  • Type: Full-time
  • Schedule: Flexibility required. Includes weekdays + at least one weekend day (and occasional evenings for events/run club)
  • Start date: Ideally 4 weeks before opening (target May opening, start early to mid April)
  • Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience (details discussed in interview). Tips are role dependent and will follow applicable Ontario rules.
  • The successful candidate will report to the store owner and collaborate closely with the marketing and events team.

You Own

  • Inventory accuracy and stockroom standards
  • Labour planning and scheduling
  • Store standards (open/close, operating procedures, cleanliness, cash handling)
  • Training and performance feedback
  • Run club execution (recruiting leaders and volunteers)
  • Basic weekly reporting (staffing notes, inventory issues, weekly callouts)

The Role

Customer Experience + Culture

  • Set the tone for service on the floor and behind the bar by providing customers with a warm, welcoming, and consistent experience.
  • Handle customer issues with good judgement and strong follow-through

Team Leadership

  • Lead the hiring and interviewing process in collaboration with the store owner.
  • Onboard, train, and coach Retail Associates, Taproom Servers and Baristas
  • Build monthly work schedules and manage day-to-day task execution
  • Implement, develop and enforce store procedures in collaboration with store owner.

Retail Operations

  • Receive, process, and manage inventory using Shopify
  • Keep the stockroom organized and inventory counts accurate
  • Merchandise new product and maintain strong visual standards
  • Manage inventory gaps and special orders.
  • Online order fulfillment and customer support (phone/email)
  • Conduct informative shoe fittings and educate customers on apparel, gear and nutrition.
  • Support and implement strategies for loss prevention

Taproom + Café Operations

  • Maintain standards for drink quality, cleanliness, and flow
  • Ensure Smart Serve compliance and responsible service
  • Step into barista/bartender coverage when needed, particularly in the first few months the store is open.

Community + Run Club

  • Take the lead on executing social runs and events with support from the owner and marketing/events team. Recruiting group leaders and volunteers to support Run Clubs.
  • Represent BackRoads in a way that builds trust and repeat customers
  • Contribute to social content as necessary.

What Early Success Looks Like

  • You’ve coached a team that understands service expectations and store standards
  • Inventory is organized and accurate
  • Scheduling and daily routines are running smoothly
  • Customers leave feeling welcomed and taken care of
  • Run club and event execution is consistent, energetic and growing

Skills We’re Looking For

  • Strong organization and attention to detail
  • Confident communicator and people leader
  • Calm, solutions-focused under pressure
  • Comfortable with retail sales, shoe fitting, and customer education
  • Computer-savvy; Shopify experience is a bonus
  • Interest in running is helpful (you don’t need to be an elite runner—just genuinely interested)

Experience (Preferred)

  • 2+ years leading a team in retail and/or hospitality (or equivalent)
  • Experience with barista service and/or serving alcohol
  • Experience hiring, training, and scheduling a small team

Requirements

  • Smart Serve (required)
  • Food Handlers Certificate (preferred; or willing to obtain shortly after hire)
  • Ability to be on your feet for long periods of time and lift/receive large boxes and kegs up to ~50 pounds

Why This Role is Awesome:

  • Help build the new BackRoads Brews + Shoes store from day one.
  • Be part of a unique concept blending retail, taproom/cafe, and community.
  • Work directly with the owner and collaborate closely with the marketing and events team.
  • Shape a strong, welcoming and inclusive store culture from the ground up.

How to Apply

Send your resume and a short letter on why this role fits you to aaron@backroadslondon.com by March 2nd at 11:59pm. Candidates will be asked for a short list of references at the interview stage. The letter with resume may include:

  • A quick example of how you’ve led a team
  • Why BackRoads / running culture / hospitality / managing a team appeals to you

We’re building something special in Kitchener-Waterloo. If you’re the kind of person who thrives in a leadership role and has a passion for community building, we’d love to hear from you.


BackRoads Brews + Shoes — Kitchener

Part-Time Retail Associate + Taproom Server

BackRoads Brews + Shoes is a specialty running store + taproom built around great product, great service, and being the kind of place people want to hang out after a run. We carry a curated lineup of footwear and gear for running and walking, and we bring the community together through social runs and events.

We’re hiring a part-time Retail Associate + Taproom Server for our Kitchener location. This role is mostly retail-focused, with taproom support built in. You’ll help customers find the right gear, keep the store looking sharp, and jump behind the bar when needed.

The Role

  • Part-time (typically 15–25 hours/week, with potential for more)
  • Weekday + weekend availability required (including some evenings)
  • Start date: aligned with store opening (targeting May 2026)

Retail (Primary Focus)

  • Deliver a great customer experience (greeting, guiding, problem-solving)
  • Conduct footwear fittings and product recommendations (we’ll train you)
  • Keep the floor organized: restocking, merchandising, cleaning, receiving shipments
  • Run POS and support basic inventory tasks

Taproom Support

  • Serve beer/coffee/taproom beverages during busy periods or as needed
  • Help keep the taproom clean, stocked, and welcoming
  • Support events (social runs, community nights, brand activations)

Additional Duties

  • Complete tasks assigned by the Store Manager and Store Owner
  • Support opening and closing procedures
  • Help process online orders using Shopify
  • Provide customer support through the store phone

What We’re Looking For

  • Friendly, dependable, and comfortable talking to people all day
  • Retail experience is great (running/fitness/hospitality experience is a bonus)
  • Coachable, takes pride in doing things the right way
  • Can move fast during busy moments and stay calm under pressure
  • Smart Serve required (or willing to get it before starting)

Why Work for BackRoads?

  • A fun, community-forward environment (runs, events, and good people)
  • Staff discounts on product
  • Training in footwear fitting + product knowledge
  • Opportunity to grow as the Kitchener store ramps up

Pay + Tips

  • Competitive hourly wage based on experience
  • Tip-sharing applies when working taproom shifts (details shared during hiring)

To Apply

Send your resume + a short note about why BackRoads interests you and what your availability looks like to aaron@backroadslondon.com

 

BackRoads Brews + Shoes — Kitchener

Part-Time Barista + Bartender

BackRoads Brews + Shoes is a specialty running store + taproom built around great product, great service, and being the kind of place people want to hang out after a run. We carry a curated lineup of footwear and gear for running and walking, and we bring the community together through social runs and events.

We’re hiring a part-time Barista + Bartender for our Kitchener location. This role is beverage-first. You’ll be the anchor behind the bar—helping us deliver a consistent, high-quality coffee experience, great taproom service, and a welcoming vibe from open to close.

The Role

  • Part-time (typically 20–30 hours/week, with potential for more)
  • Weekday + weekend availability required (including some mornings and evenings)
  • Start date: aligned with store opening (targeting May 2026)

Coffee + Bar (Primary Focus)

  • Prepare espresso-based drinks with consistency, speed, and care
  • Help dial in espresso and maintain quality standards throughout the day
  • Keep the bar organized and running smoothly during busy periods
  • Complete daily prep (restocking milks, syrups, cups, backups, etc.)
  • Maintain bar equipment cleanliness and follow proper cleaning routines

Taproom Service

  • Pour beer and serve taproom beverages responsibly
  • Deliver friendly, efficient service and keep things moving during rushes
  • Maintain a clean, stocked, and welcoming taproom/bar area
  • Support events (social runs, community nights, brand activations)
  • Change over empty kegs
  • Maintain clean draft equipment

Additional Duties

  • Support opening and closing procedures
  • Run POS and handle customer transactions smoothly, including for both bar and retail purchases.
  • Provide customer support through the store phone
  • Complete tasks assigned by the Store Manager and Store Owner
  • Support processing online orders using Shopify as needed

What We’re Looking For

  • Barista experience preferred (especially espresso)
  • Bartending/serving experience is a bonus (we’ll train where needed)
  • Friendly, dependable, and comfortable talking to people all day
  • Takes pride in quality, cleanliness, and doing things the right way
  • Can move fast during busy moments and stay calm under pressure
  • Smart Serve required (or willing to get it before starting)

Why Work for BackRoads?

  • A fun, community-forward environment (runs, events, and good people)
  • Staff discounts on product
  • A chance to help shape the café/taproom experience from day one
  • Opportunity to grow as the Kitchener store ramps up

Pay + Tips

  • Competitive hourly wage based on experience
  • Tip-sharing applies when working taproom shifts (details shared during hiring)

To Apply

Send your resume + a short note about why BackRoads interests you, your barista/bartending experience, and what your availability looks like to aaron@backroadslondon.com. Reference are welcome.

 

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