Assistant in Training

Crossgates Mall•Albany, NY

13d•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, working directly with the Store Manager and Leadership Team to develop sales, recruit Teammates, and provide leadership. The AIT shares responsibility for training and motivating Teammates and acts as Store Manager in the Store Manager’s absence. The Assistant Manager role is a progression from AIT and includes additional higher-level duties, though most duties are shared. The position combines Guest service and sales generation with Teammate recruiting, training, and development; visual merchandising; store operations; planning; and leadership. The AIT helps maintain a clean, organized, and shoppable store, supports store sales and business goals, and follows company policies and procedures. The role may require working a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and the day of or day after Thanksgiving and Christmas, based on business needs. Pay is estimated at $19–$23 per hour, including base pay plus sales commission where applicable; final offers depend on factors such as skills, experience, location, and qualifications.

Requirements

High school diploma or general education degree (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 stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel items, reach, climb or balance and jump, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and talk or hear as needed for the role.
Ability to lift and maneuver 50 pounds throughout the store and backroom.
Required close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision, and ability to adjust focus.
Ability to complete the essential duties satisfactorily, with reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities.
Ability to travel to and cover other stores within the district based on business needs.

Responsibilities

Provide friendly, engaging, and knowledgeable service to Guests; answer questions and help locate or select merchandise based on their needs.
Recommend additional items and create a wardrobing experience while demonstrating product knowledge and sharing sales education with the Team.
Meet personal sales-per-hour, average sales, and total net sales goals; contribute to store sales performance, business builders, and Guest loyalty.
Use the Sales Presentation Guide (SPG) and support sales presentation, fitting appointments, Buckle credit card, and Guest connection goals.
Build and maintain Guest relationships, remember Guest names, and help develop a client-based business.
Plan sales goals with the Store Manager and demonstrate ownership of store sales performance.
Identify recruiting opportunities and assist the Store Manager with staffing and recruitment needs.
Train, coach, motivate, and educate new and existing Teammates on accountability, shift orientation, Loss Prevention, sales presentation, product knowledge, and company tools and standards.
Maintain a positive floor culture, demonstrate the dress code, and encourage Teammates to deliver strong fashion presentation and customer service.
Participate in daily setup, training, impacting, and reviewing; use the Performance Tracker and complete assigned department actions and check-ins.
Support department results, execute actions from department calendars, and help implement the store’s education focus.
Own and influence product presentation through zone ownership; assign zones and projects, demonstrate visual tools, and confirm Teammates follow visual standards and checklists.
Partner with the Store Manager to delegate, demonstrate, and review visual zones; identify merchandising opportunities and communicate recommendations.
Maintain a properly sized sales floor, ensure new freight is displayed appropriately, and uphold visual standards in the sales floor and backroom.
Use the planner and complete opening and closing checklists; execute and train others on these procedures.
Perform markdowns, pulls, freight processing, recalls, and returns to vendors; help maintain adequate supplies and provide feedback about merchandise handling.
Follow Loss Prevention guidelines, recognize and respond to security risks and theft, and execute and teach Point of Sale procedures.
Handle Guest and Teammate challenges professionally; follow payment, return, exchange, and Loss Prevention policies.
Complete scheduled shifts and cover shifts when needed; handle schedule changes professionally and travel to or cover other district stores when business needs require.
Maintain a clean, organized, and shoppable store and promptly complete new-hire paperwork and tasks according to Human Resources guidelines and legal policies.
Communicate policy violations and Teammate or Guest concerns confidentially and promptly to the Store Manager, District Manager, or Human Resources.
Assist the Store Manager in supervising; support leadership, professional communication, interviews, problem-solving, and team development.
Handle emergencies in the Store Manager’s absence according to company guidelines and perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Benefits

Health coverage options, including medical plans with preventive care covered at 100% and access to virtual care.
Dental and vision insurance.
24/7 virtual care for general, behavioral, and dermatology consultations.
Employee Assistance Program offering confidential counseling, wellness coaching, and self-care tools.
401(k) with traditional and Roth options and discretionary company matching contributions for qualifying Teammates.
Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA); Buckle contributes to an HSA for eligible Teammates enrolled in the high-deductible medical plan.
Performance-based incentive bonuses for eligible Teammates.
40% discount on Buckle products and 25% discount on Buckle gift cards.
Vacation time earned on a progressive schedule, starting at 80 or 120 hours depending on employment status and prorated for the first partial year.
40 hours of sick time per year, or more where required by law, prorated for the first partial year; up to 80 hours may be carried over, with a maximum of 80 hours per year including carryover.
One floating holiday and up to three days of bereavement leave.
One paid volunteer day for salaried Teammates.
Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance, with optional supplemental life and short- and long-term disability plans.
Paid and unpaid leave for qualifying situations; eligible salaried Teammates may receive medical leave pay that can be used as paid parental leave for qualifying circumstances.
Optional accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity coverage.
Optional legal services, identity theft protection, and pet insurance.
Eligible part-time Teammates may access medical plans and the 401(k) with company match, as well as Employee Assistance Program resources.
Paid leave accrual in applicable states, at one hour for every 30 hours worked where required by law.