Assistant in Training

The Buckle, Inc.•Tupelo, MS

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant in Training (AIT) supports the store’s mission to create an enjoyable shopping experience for Guests. The role performs sales, merchandising, and operational tasks assigned by store management, including cashiering, merchandise displays and pulls, register procedures, and routine cleaning. The AIT works with the Store Manager and Leadership Team to develop sales, recruit Teammates, and provide leadership. AITs and Assistant Managers share responsibility for training and motivating Teammates and act as Store Manager when the Store Manager is absent. The Assistant Manager role is a progression from AIT and includes additional duties, while most responsibilities are shared. The position supports sales and Guest service, Teammate recruiting and development, visual merchandising, store operations, and leadership. It assists the Store Manager with supervision and may require travel to cover other stores in the District based on business needs. The role requires 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. The job is performed in a retail store setting, where noise is usually moderate. Physical demands include standing, walking, handling items, reaching, climbing or balancing and jumping, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, and lifting and maneuvering up to 50 pounds throughout the store and backroom. Sitting is occasionally required.

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 perform each essential duty satisfactorily; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
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 travel to and cover other stores within the District based on business needs.
Ability to lift and maneuver 50 pounds throughout the store and backroom.
Required vision abilities include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
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; sitting is occasionally required.
Ability to provide and receive feedback, support leadership, maintain professional relationships, and communicate effectively with Teammates, management, Guests, and corporate departments.
Ability to use store tools and procedures, including POS, the planner, checklists, and the Performance Tracker.

Responsibilities

Provide friendly, engaging Guest service; answer questions and help Guests select, locate, or obtain merchandise suited to their needs.
Suggest additional items, create a wardrobing experience, demonstrate products, and share product knowledge and sales education with the Team.
Maintain knowledge of sales, promotions, payment and exchange policies, security practices, and return procedures.
Achieve personal sales and sales-per-hour goals, contribute to average sales and net sales goals, and support store sales performance and business builders.
Use the Sales Presentation Guide (SPG) and support Guest loyalty, fit appointments, Buckle credit card, and Guest Connect goals.
Build Guest relationships and a client-based business; recognize and communicate Guest levels and ask for and remember Guest names.
Plan sales goals with the Store Manager and demonstrate leadership, showmanship, customer service, and ownership of store sales results.
Identify recruiting opportunities and assist the Store Manager with recruiting and staffing needs.
Train, coach, motivate, and develop Teammates in accountability, shift orientation, Loss Prevention, sales presentation, product knowledge, and non-sales positions.
Support daily setup, training, performance review, and task completion using tools such as the Performance Tracker and Weekly Delegation Worksheet.
Promote a positive floor culture, model the dress code, communicate with fellow leaders and Teammates, and follow up on training needs.
Partner with the Store Manager to select and implement education focuses and delegate work supporting business goals.
Own and influence product presentation through zone ownership; assign zones and projects and partner with the Store Manager to delegate, demonstrate, and review zones.
Ensure Teammates follow visual standards, the visual library, and the Weekly Visual Checklist; maintain visual standards on the sales floor and in the backroom.
Recognize merchandising opportunities, ensure the sales floor is sized and freight is displayed appropriately, and recommend solutions to the Store Manager.
Use the Performance Tracker and anticipate product changes to make improvements to store performance and visual results.
Work a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and specified holiday periods as business needs require.
Use the planner and complete opening and closing checklists; execute and train others on opening and closing procedures.
Identify security risks and theft, follow Loss Prevention guidelines including daily bag and purse checks, and execute and teach Point of Sale procedures.
Handle calls from the Corporate Office and maintain a positive attitude in challenging situations involving Guests or Teammates.
Follow policies for payments, returns, exchanges, Loss Prevention, the Code of Ethics, and other company policies and procedures.
Complete scheduled shifts and cover shifts when needed; keep the store clean, organized, and shoppable.
Provide feedback about merchandise handling concerns and promptly communicate policy violations or Teammate or Guest concerns to appropriate management or Human Resources.
Complete new-hire paperwork and tasks accurately and promptly in accordance with Human Resources guidelines and legal policies.
Plan work on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis; complete markdowns, pulls, freight processing, recalls, and vendor returns; maintain adequate supplies.
Build effective relationships and communication with Corporate Office departments to support store operations.
Handle emergencies in the Store Manager’s absence in accordance with company guidelines.
Support leadership, personal and store growth, and professional relationships with Teammates; conduct daily interviews as needed and help resolve objections and problems.
Self-educate on company tools and share information with others; understand and administer Buckle Commitment to Success.
Handle schedule changes professionally and complete special projects and other assigned duties.
Assist the Store Manager in supervising.