Assistant in Training

Mall at Partridge Creek•Clinton Township, MI

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 assigned by store management, including cashiering, merchandise display 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 train and motivate Teammates. The AIT may act as Store Manager in the manager’s absence. The Assistant Manager role is a progression from AIT and includes additional higher-level duties, while most duties and responsibilities 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 achieve sales and business goals, maintain Buckle’s service and visual standards, support staffing and development, and ensure effective day-to-day store operations. The role assists the Store Manager in supervising and may travel to or cover other stores within the district based on business needs. The work is performed in a retail store setting with a usually moderate noise level. The position regularly involves standing, walking, handling and reaching, climbing or balancing, jumping, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, and talking or hearing. It requires the ability to lift and maneuver up to 50 pounds throughout the store and backroom. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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 business needs.
Ability to lift and maneuver 50 pounds throughout the store and backroom.
Ability to perform the physical activities described for the role, including standing, walking, using hands to handle or feel, reaching, climbing or balancing, jumping, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, and talking or hearing.
Ability to execute and teach Point of Sale procedures and follow store operations, Loss Prevention, payment, return, and exchange policies.
Ability to travel to and cover other stores within the district based on business needs.
Ability to communicate professionally, give and receive feedback, coach and motivate Teammates, and handle challenging Guest or Teammate situations.

Responsibilities

Welcome Guests and provide attentive, friendly service throughout the store, including the front area, sales floor, fitting rooms, and register.
Answer Guest questions; recommend and locate merchandise; suggest additional items; and create a personalized wardrobing experience using product knowledge and sales education.
Maintain knowledge of current sales, promotions, payment and exchange policies, security practices, and return procedures.
Meet personal sales-per-hour, average-sale, and total-net-sales goals, and contribute to store sales performance and business-builder goals.
Use the Sales Presentation Guide (SPG), Guest loyalty tools, fit appointments, Buckle credit card, Guest connect, inventory tools, product search, and iPad apps to support sales and Guest relationships.
Build client relationships, remember and ask for Guest names, recognize and communicate Guest levels, and demonstrate leadership, showmanship, and customer service.
Plan sales goals with the Store Manager and maintain leadership standards whether or not the Manager is present.
Identify recruiting opportunities and assist the Store Manager with recruiting and staffing needs, interviews, referrals, and maintaining a contact list of prospective talent.
Train, coach, motivate, and develop Teammates in accountability, shift orientation, Loss Prevention, sales presentation, product education, denim showmanship, and non-sales positions.
Support daily setup, training, impacting, and reviewing; use the Performance Tracker; complete department actions and calendars; and help delegate and implement store education focuses.
Demonstrate and coach dress-code and fashion standards, maintain a positive floor culture, and support Teammate growth and development.
Own and influence product presentation through zone ownership; assign zones and projects with learning goals; and demonstrate and review all four zones with the Store Manager.
Ensure Teammates follow visual standards, the Visual library, and the Weekly Visual Checklist; maintain a consistently sized sales floor and properly display new freight.
Identify merchandising opportunities and product lifecycle changes, recommend solutions, conduct informational store tours, and use the Performance Tracker to improve store performance and visual results.
Work a flexible schedule that may include mornings, evenings, weekends, and the day of or day after Thanksgiving and Christmas, according to store and business needs.
Use the planner and complete opening and closing checklists; execute and train others on checklist procedures.
Follow Loss Prevention guidelines, watch for security risks and theft, perform daily bag and purse checks, and execute and teach Point of Sale procedures.
Handle calls from the Corporate Office and execute policies for payments, returns, exchanges, and Loss Prevention.
Complete scheduled shifts and cover shifts when needed; maintain a clean, organized, and shoppable store.
Communicate merchandise-handling concerns, policy violations, and Teammate or Guest concerns to the appropriate Store Manager, District Manager, or Human Resources contact in a timely and confidential manner.
Apply the Buckle Code of Ethics, policies, procedures, handbooks, and Commitment to Success; complete new-hire paperwork and tasks in accordance with HR guidelines and legal policies.
Complete markdowns, pulls, inbound and outbound freight, recalls, and returns to vendors (RTVs); maintain an adequate supply inventory.
Build effective working relationships and communicate with Corporate Office departments to support store operations.
Handle emergencies in the Store Manager’s absence in accordance with Company guidelines.
Assist the Store Manager in supervising; give and receive feedback, support leadership, promote personal and store growth, conduct interviews as needed, solve problems, handle schedule changes professionally, and self-educate on company tools.
Travel to and cover other stores within the district based on business needs.
Fulfill the mission statement through high-level customer service and a positive team spirit; perform special projects and other duties as assigned.