Assistant Manager Trainee

Sherwin-Williams•Ithaca, NY

About The Position

The Sherwin-Williams Assistant Manager Trainee Program is an accelerated, entry-level program designed to prepare current employees for a Store Management role within 18–24 months. After successful completion of the initial 6–8-week training, employees may progress into an Assistant Store Manager position. The typical schedule is 44 hours per week and may include evenings and/or weekends. Trainees collaborate with store management to oversee a million-dollar business and contribute leadership and insight to the store’s development and strategy. The program teaches store operations, customer and client needs, and internal strategy, while preparing participants for management and professional sales. The role includes selling to commercial users who purchase large volumes of products, such as painting contractors, purchasing agents, and manufacturers. The program offers structured support, formal discussions about objectives and development, leadership development, and training in customer service, sales and marketing, finance, and operations. Participants also build community relationships to support business growth. The position may be eligible for performance-based bonuses under applicable company plans. It is eligible for health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, flexible spending accounts, disability coverage, security, and retirement and savings benefits. Additional benefits include time away from work such as personal leave, paid parental leave, medical leave, vacation, and holidays. The role involves customer contact, potentially including minors, and access to cash and other payment methods, electronic equipment, personal information, merchandise, and other valuable items. The company states that it conducts criminal-history reviews to protect its business, operations, reputation, and the safety of customers, staff, employees, vendors, contractors, and the public.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years of age.
Be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without current or future employment-visa sponsorship.
Have a valid, unrestricted driver's license.
Have at least a high school diploma or GED.
Be able, with or without reasonable accommodation, to retrieve material from shelves and floor stacks and to lift and carry up to 50 pounds frequently and up to 70 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of experience in retail, sales, or customer service.
At least one year of experience in leadership roles, supervising others, or leading teams.
Previous work experience selling paint and paint-related products.
Work experience using timekeeping and/or customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
An associate degree or higher in business, sales, or marketing.
Previous experience in a team-oriented setting, including work experience, extracurricular activities, or military service.
Willingness to relocate for future job opportunities.
Ability to read, write, comprehend, and communicate in more than one language.
Ability to read, write, comprehend, and communicate in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Complete training consistent with the established program.
Support business strategies to increase sales and optimize profitability.
Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction through excellent service.
Build and maintain knowledge of products to provide effective customer recommendations.
Build positive relationships with wholesale and retail customers.
Complete store administration.
Ensure compliance with policies and procedures, including safety, loss prevention, and security.
Maintain outstanding store condition and visual merchandising standards, including promotional packages and sales floor displays.
Support employee training, development, performance management, and corrective action.
Respond to and resolve customer and employee complaints.
Partner with the Store Manager to make outside sales calls to increase market share.