Bookstore Director

Company Description

Mariners Church is a biblically-centered, non-denominational church located in Southern California focused on inspiring people to follow Jesus and fearlessly change the world. Mariners is listed as one of the top 20 largest churches in America by Outreach Magazine. We are a community of ordinary people from all walks of life courageously trusting God to do the extraordinary. Simply put, we trust God to do what we can’t—heal, transform, renew, forgive, provide and sustain. Through the redemption story of each believer, God is glorified, lives are changed and communities are impacted in a significant way. Come and be part of a new season of growth as Mariners Church responds to God’s call in launching new congregations.

Job Description

The Bookstore Director leads the vision, direction, and operations of the Mariners Bookstores located at the Irvine, Santa Ana, and Oceanside congregations, as well as the online store. This role oversees all aspects of the bookstore ministry, including team leadership, merchandising, budgeting, and collaboration with church ministries. The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with a passion for service, retail excellence, and creating environments that reflect the heart and mission of Mariners Church.

This position reports to the Central Services Director on the Operations team. A full time position, the schedule is generally Sunday-Thursday for a total of 40 hours, with some flexibility required for weekend events on Saturday. This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Leadership & Vision

• Provide overall leadership and vision for the bookstore ministry across all locations and platforms.
• Cultivate a culture of hospitality, excellence, and Christ-centered service among team members and volunteers.
• Partner with pastors, ministries, and church leadership to align bookstore offerings with church events, sermon series, and seasonal opportunities.

Team Oversight

• Lead and develop a multi-site team including Senior Buyer, Visual Merchandisers, Operations Coordinator, Office Coordinator, Receivers, Shift Leads, and Sales Associates.
• Hire, train, coach, and support bookstore staff and volunteers.
• Oversee scheduling for staff and volunteers, including weekend and special event coverage.
• Direct the workflow of Receivers to ensure timely pricing, storage, and stock management.

Merchandising & Inventory

• Collaborate with the Senior Buyer on weekly inventory planning and product mix, including books, Bibles, and curated merchandise.
• Work closely with Visual Merchandisers on product displays, promotions, floor layouts, and pop-up shops at all campuses.
• Develop and manage Mariners Marketplace products and Mariners-branded ministry items.

Operations & Administration

• Manage bookstore budgets, profit margins, and financial targets.
• Collaborate with the Operations Coordinator on systems and workflows across all stores, including online and in-person experiences.
• Oversee administrative functions led by the Office Manager: invoicing, payroll, inventory controls, supply orders, and onboarding.
• Ensure accurate and timely communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail Management, or related field—or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 3 years of retail leadership experience, including team management and merchandising.
• Minimum 1 year of e-commerce experience.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Exceptional communication and organizational skills.
• Innovative thinker with a problem-solving mindset and a heart for ministry.
• Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Committed to the mission and values of Mariners Church.

Additional Information

All Mariners Church Staff:

• Love Jesus and call themselves Christians.
• Embrace a high biblical standard of personal conduct and lifestyle.
• Agree to and adhere to the church's statement of faith and leadership commitment. 
• Attend Mariners Church.

We believe the total combination of your pay, benefits, and opportunities aligned with your calling will ensure that you and your family are provided for. The following items are just a sample of the things we offer for full-time employment:

• Health insurance (medical, dental and vision)
• 403b Retirement Saving Plan
• Paid vacation
• Paid time off to serve
• Discounts at the Mariners Cafe and Bookstore
• Tuition discount for Mariners Church Preschool 
• Opportunity to attend ministry events and conferences
• Working alongside a community of supportive, like-minded believers