Assistant in Training

The Buckle, Inc. • Mankato, MN

4d • $16 - $20 • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant in Training (AIT) supports the Store Manager and Leadership Team in creating an enjoyable shopping experience for Guests. The role combines sales, merchandising, and store operations with leadership development. The AIT helps develop sales, recruit and train Teammates, and motivate the team, and 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, although most responsibilities are shared.

This position involves providing customer service and sales support, coaching and developing Teammates, maintaining visual merchandising standards, and carrying out store operations. The role assists the Store Manager with supervision and requires a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and certain holiday periods based on store needs. The position is performed in a retail store setting with a usually moderate noise level.

The listed estimated pay range is $16–$20 per hour, including base pay plus sales commission where applicable. Offers depend on factors such as skills, experience, location, and qualifications. Benefits described for full-time Teammates include health coverage, dental and vision insurance, virtual care, mental health resources, retirement and savings accounts, performance bonuses, paid time off, insurance and leave options, discounts, and other supplemental benefits. The posting also describes benefits available to part-time Teammates.

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 business needs.
• Ability to travel to and cover other stores within the district based on business needs.
• Ability to stand, walk, use hands, reach, climb or balance, jump, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and talk or hear; occasionally sit.
• Physical ability to lift and maneuver 50 pounds throughout the store and backroom.
• Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide friendly, engaging Guest service; answer questions and help Guests locate and select merchandise.
• Recommend additional products and create a wardrobing experience based on Guest needs.
• Demonstrate product knowledge, communicate promotions and store policies, and meet personal sales and business-builder goals.
• Develop Guest relationships and client-based business, and support sales goals in partnership with the Store Manager.
• Lead by example through customer service, showmanship, attentiveness, and consistent leadership actions.
• Identify recruiting opportunities and assist the Store Manager with recruiting and staffing needs.
• Train, coach, motivate, and develop Teammates in sales, service, loss prevention, store standards, and non-sales positions.
• Support daily setup, training, performance reviews, department priorities, and execution of business goals.
• Own and influence product presentation and zone assignments; maintain visual standards and communicate merchandising opportunities.
• Ensure the sales floor is appropriately sized and freight is displayed, and maintain visual standards on the sales floor and in the backroom.
• Complete opening and closing checklists, operate the point-of-sale system, and perform markdowns, pulls, freight processing, recalls, and vendor returns.
• Maintain a clean, organized, secure, and shoppable store; follow loss-prevention, payment, return, exchange, and company policy procedures.
• Communicate concerns and policy violations to appropriate leaders, and maintain effective communication with corporate departments.
• Assist the Store Manager in supervising the store, handling emergencies in the manager’s absence, and covering shifts or other stores as needed.
• Perform other assigned duties and special projects.

Benefits

• Medical coverage with a choice of two plans, preventive care covered at 100%, and virtual care access.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• 24/7 virtual general, behavioral, and dermatology care.
• Employee Assistance Program with 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 eligible enrollment 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, sick time, one floating holiday, and up to three days of bereavement leave, subject to role, eligibility, and applicable terms.
• Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance, with options for supplemental life and short- and long-term disability plans.
• Paid and unpaid leave for qualifying situations; eligible salaried Teammates may qualify for medical leave pay usable as paid parental leave.
• Supplemental 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 401(k) matching, and accrue paid leave in applicable states.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED