Country Store Manager - Munson Lakes

This role will be with Munson Lakes Nutrition (MLN), a joint venture with Land O' Lakes (LOL). As such, the role will be an employee of Munson Lakes Nutrition and not Land O'Lakes.   

Shift & Working Hours: 7:30AM - 4:00PM Monday - Friday

Salary: $60,000 - $65,000 - In most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate around the middle of our salary ranges.

The Store Manager is accountable for the overall performance of Munson Lakes Nutrition’s Country Store retail operation. This position provides operational leadership across merchandising, inventory management, financial performance, and customer experience.

The Store Manager be responsible for retail pricing and margin management and actively collaborates with the Sales Manager in the development and execution of store-level performance goals. This role is expected to cultivate a high-performance team culture while maintaining the exceptional service standards and agricultural expertise that differentiate the Country Store in the marketplace.

This role is part of our Purina Animal Nutrition business who serves producers and animal owners throughout the United States. We innovate the nutrition products and practices that unlock the full potential of every animal for a healthier, more productive life. 

Key Responsibilities:

Retail Operations & Merchandising

• Direct all daily store operations, including opening and closing procedures, floor presentation, and facilities maintenance
• Oversee procurement, inventory control, and replenishment across all product categories
• Develop and execute seasonal merchandising strategies aligned with customer demand and sales objectives
• Manage vendor and supplier relationships to ensure product availability, competitive pricing, and favorable terms
• Ensure compliance with all applicable safety, regulatory, and company operational standards

Pricing & Margin Accountability

• Establish and maintain retail pricing structures that achieve targeted margin thresholds
• Partner with the Sales Manager to develop annual store P&L goals and operating budgets
• Monitor key performance indicators including sales volume, gross margin, shrink, and expense management

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, onboard, and develop a team of 3–5 store associates in alignment with company values and service standards
• Establish clear performance expectations; conduct regular coaching sessions and formal annual reviews
• Create scheduling and staffing plans that optimize coverage and control labor costs
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, particularly in product knowledge and customer engagement

Customer Experience

• Create and maintain subject matter resources for customers across livestock, equine, poultry, swine, pet nutrition, and farm supply categories
• Establish and uphold service standards that reinforce the Country Store’s reputation for expertise and responsiveness
• Proactively develop relationships with key customers, local producers, and the broader agricultural community
• Resolve customer concerns in a timely and professional manner, escalating as appropriate
• Other duties may be assigned by supervisors.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Minimum 3–5 years of progressive retail management experience, with demonstrated supervisory responsibility
• Proven track record in retail pricing, margin management, and managing key indicators to meet store performance goals
• Working knowledge of livestock, equine, poultry, or companion animal nutrition and related products
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and develop staff

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Prior experience in feed, farm supply, agricultural cooperative, or rural retail environments
• Familiarity with branded livestock and equine feed programs
• Knowledge of the agricultural community in the Upper Midwest region

Preferred Education:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Business, or a related field

Physical Requirements:

• Physical ability to perform floor duties, including lifting 50+ lbs

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best. Land O'Lakes is Where Your Future Takes Root.

Land O’Lakes and our global entities support diversity in employment practices.

Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its affiliates or search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.    

                                                                                                  

If you need to submit a reasonable accommodation request to complete the employment application process, please call the HR Solution Center at 844-LOL-HR4U (844-565-4748) M-F 8:00am-4:30pm CT.