Assistant in Training

The Buckle, Inc.•Champaign, IL

4d•$17 - $20•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 cleaning. The AIT works directly with the Store Manager and Leadership Team to develop sales, recruit Teammates, and provide leadership. The role shares responsibility for training and motivating Teammates and acts as Store Manager in the manager’s absence. The Assistant Manager position is a progression from AIT, with additional higher-level duties; most duties and responsibilities are shared. The position focuses on sales generation and Guest service, recruiting and developing Teammates, visual merchandising, store operations, and supporting leadership. The AIT helps achieve sales goals, create Guest relationships and a strong store culture, maintain visual and operational standards, and contribute to the effective operation of the store. The role assists the Store Manager in supervising and may travel to or cover other stores within the district based on business needs. The estimated compensation range is $17–$20 per hour, including the estimated base rate plus commission for sales positions. Final offers depend on factors such as skills, experience, location, and qualifications. Buckle describes benefits for both full-time and part-time Teammates, including medical plan access, mental health resources, a Teammate discount, and a 401(k) with company match. Full-time benefits also include dental and vision insurance, paid time off and leave options, life and AD&D insurance, performance bonuses, and other coverage and support programs; eligibility varies by benefit.

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 complete scheduled shifts and cover shifts when needed.
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.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including standing, walking, using hands, reaching, climbing or balancing, jumping, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and communicating by talking and hearing.
Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Responsibilities

Greet Guests, provide attentive and engaging service, answer questions, recommend and locate merchandise, and anticipate Guest needs through additional-item suggestions and wardrobing.
Demonstrate product knowledge and sales techniques, maintain knowledge of promotions and store policies, and meet personal sales, sales-per-hour, average-sale, and total-net-sales goals.
Build Guest relationships and client-based business, support Guest loyalty and business builders, and use the Sales Presentation Guide (SPG) to plan and improve sales presentations.
Plan sales goals with the Store Manager and demonstrate ownership of store sales performance.
Recognize recruiting opportunities and assist the Store Manager with recruiting and staffing needs.
Help lead, train, motivate, and educate new and current Teammates on accountability, shift orientation, loss prevention, sales presentation, product education, and non-sales positions.
Maintain a positive floor culture, coach Teammates, support daily setup and training, and use performance tracking and delegation tools to achieve business goals.
Develop department results, execute department calendars and assigned actions, and communicate updates and training needs to fellow leaders and Teammates.
Own and influence product presentation through zone ownership; assign zones and projects, demonstrate visual tools, and partner with the Store Manager to delegate and review zones.
Monitor compliance with visual standards and checklists, identify merchandising opportunities, maintain appropriately sized and displayed merchandise, and uphold visual standards on the sales floor and in the backroom.
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.
Complete opening and closing procedures and checklists; perform point-of-sale procedures; handle payments, returns, exchanges, markdowns, pulls, freight, recalls, and returns to vendors.
Recognize security risks and theft, follow loss-prevention guidelines, and maintain a clean, organized, and shoppable store.
Complete scheduled shifts and cover shifts when needed; maintain supplies and provide feedback about merchandise handling concerns.
Communicate policy violations and Teammate or Guest concerns to appropriate management or Human Resources in a timely and confidential manner.
Complete new-hire paperwork and tasks in accordance with Human Resources guidelines and legal policies; support planning across weekly, monthly, and yearly periods.
Establish communication with Corporate Office departments to support store operations and handle emergencies in the Store Manager’s absence according to company guidelines.
Support leadership, promote personal and store growth, conduct interviews as needed, problem-solve, handle schedule changes professionally, and complete special projects or other assigned duties.
Assist the Store Manager in supervising and travel to or cover other stores within the district as business needs require.

Benefits

Medical coverage with two plan options, preventive care covered at 100%, and virtual care access.
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 and Flexible Spending Accounts; Buckle contributes to the HSA for Teammates enrolled in the high-deductible medical plan.
Performance bonuses for eligible Teammates.
40% discount on Buckle products and 25% off Buckle gift cards.
Vacation time and sick time for eligible Teammates, with sick-time carryover as described in the posting.
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 options for supplemental life and short- and long-term disability plans.
Paid and unpaid leave support for qualifying situations; eligible salaried Teammates may receive medical leave pay that can be used as paid parental leave.
Accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance options.
Legal services, identity theft protection, and pet insurance for eligible Teammates.
Eligible part-time Teammates may access medical plans and accrue paid leave where required by law.