Assistant in Training

The Shoppes at Trace Forks•South Charleston, WV

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant in Training (AIT) supports Buckle’s mission to create the most enjoyable shopping experience possible for Guests. The role performs sales, merchandising, and operational tasks assigned by store management, including cashiering, merchandise displays and pulls, register procedures, and routine facility cleaning. Working directly with the Store Manager and Leadership Team, the AIT helps develop sales, recruit Teammates, provide leadership, and share responsibility for training and motivating the team. The AIT acts as Store Manager in their absence. Assistant Manager is a progression from AIT and includes additional higher-level duties, while most responsibilities are shared. The position combines Guest service and sales performance with Teammate recruiting, training, and development; visual merchandising; store operations; and leadership. The AIT helps maintain an organized, secure, and shoppable store, supports business goals, and contributes to a positive team environment. The role is based in a retail store and requires schedule flexibility, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and certain holidays, depending on business needs.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED, or one to three months of related retail experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include mornings, evenings, weekends, and the day of or day after Thanksgiving and Christmas, based on store and business needs.
Ability to travel to and cover other stores within the District based on business needs.
Ability to lift and maneuver up to 50 pounds throughout the store and backroom.
Ability to stand, walk, handle or feel items, reach, climb or balance and jump, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and talk or hear; sitting is occasionally required.
Required vision abilities include close, distance, and color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily, with reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities.

Responsibilities

Welcome Guests and provide engaging, attentive service throughout the store, including the sales floor, fitting rooms, and register area.
Recommend and locate merchandise based on Guest needs, demonstrate product knowledge, suggest additional items, and create a wardrobing experience.
Meet personal sales and performance goals and contribute to store sales, average-sale, business-builder, denim, and Guest-loyalty results.
Use the Sales Presentation Guide (SPG), sales tools, and product education to improve sales presentations and Guest experiences.
Build Guest relationships, recognize Guest levels, ask for and remember Guest names, and develop a client-based business.
Help plan sales goals with the Store Manager and demonstrate ownership of store sales performance.
Identify recruiting opportunities and assist the Store Manager with recruiting and staffing needs.
Train, coach, motivate, and develop Teammates in sales, accountability, shift orientation, Loss Prevention, sales presentation, and non-sales positions.
Support daily setup, training, performance reviews, leadership actions, and department goals; use the Performance Tracker and related worksheets and tools.
Maintain a positive floor culture and demonstrate the expected dress code, leadership behaviors, and product showmanship.
Help select and implement the store’s education focus and execute business segments and department calendar actions.
Own and influence product zones; assign and review projects, teach zone ownership, and ensure compliance with visual standards and checklists.
Identify merchandising opportunities, communicate recommendations to the Store Manager, maintain appropriate product sizing and displays, and support freight-to-floor execution.
Work a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and the day of or day after Thanksgiving and Christmas, as business needs require.
Use the planner and complete opening and closing checklists; execute and train others on store procedures.
Recognize security risks and theft, follow Loss Prevention guidelines, perform daily bag and purse checks, and execute and teach Point of Sale procedures.
Handle Guest and Teammate concerns professionally and communicate policy violations or concerns to appropriate management or Human Resources.
Maintain a clean, organized, and shoppable store; provide feedback about merchandise handling concerns.
Complete new-hire paperwork and tasks accurately and promptly in accordance with Human Resources guidelines and legal policies.
Complete markdowns, pulls, inbound and outbound freight, recalls, and Return to Vendor tasks.
Maintain communication with Corporate Office departments and adequate supplies inventory; handle emergencies in the Store Manager’s absence according to company guidelines.
Assist the Store Manager in supervising, support leadership, provide and receive feedback, conduct interviews as needed, and handle schedule changes professionally.
Travel to and cover other stores within the District when business needs require.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.