Assistant Store Manager

Barnes & Noble•Exton, PA

14d

About The Position

A Barnes & Noble bookstore is a gathering place for readers and the community. The Assistant Store Manager (ASM) helps ensure the smooth running of the store through leadership and deployment of the store team. The effectiveness of the team reflects the ASM’s ability to lead and motivate colleagues to deliver expected results and maintain high standards. The ASM supports consistent bookstore basics, store presentation, operational standards, merchandising, inventory, Children’s and specialty departments, café standards, customer service, sales objectives, health and safety, loss prevention, and budget-aligned scheduling. The role develops leadership skills and guides the team toward strong, consistent performance. The ASM owns key responsibilities in support of store operations, develops team capabilities with the Store Manager and relevant support resources, holds colleagues accountable fairly, fosters a respectful working environment, communicates company messages, and demonstrates integrity and resilience. The ASM runs the store in the Store Manager’s absence and continues their own professional development. The position may involve supporting other stores in the wider Cluster when needed and able. Physical activity includes prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking. The ASM must comply with company policies and procedures.

Requirements

Ability to lead, motivate, inspire, and support a store team.
Ability to maintain high and consistent standards and hold team members accountable fairly.
Ability to communicate company messages clearly and share feedback and questions with relevant resources.
Ability to remain resilient, equitable, and consistent under pressure while pursuing goals and objectives.
Willingness to listen, learn, accept feedback, and apply it to personal development.
Ability to perform prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking.
Ability to work in other stores when able and when needed to support the wider Cluster.

Responsibilities

Lead and deploy the store team to ensure smooth day-to-day operations and deliver expected results.
Maintain consistent bookstore basics and presentation standards, including well-organized stockroom and backstock and timely receipt and shelving of deliveries.
Guide commercial presentation and execution across the Front of Store, tables, and promotions, and maintain appropriate section detail and stock levels in partnership with Inventory Cluster Support.
Support a welcoming, well-presented Children’s Department and correct specialty merchandising, replenishment, and presentation of gifts, toys, games, and other non-book sections.
Support café standards and a positive partnership between the store and café teams, including promoting Membership and book picks.
Ensure strong customer service through adequate Front of Store coverage, natural greetings and assistance, and professional, knowledgeable service at registers.
Promote Our Monthly Picks and other store services, evaluate bookseller behaviors, and help the team achieve sales objectives.
Prioritize health, safety, and loss prevention, including de-escalation, active-threat response, Code Adam, and emergency procedures.
Execute a roster aligned with budget and collaborate with Rota Cluster Support and, when needed, Recruiter Cluster Support.
Support the team’s development in partnership with the Store Manager and relevant People Cluster Support or Recruiter Cluster resources.
Hold the store team accountable for consistent role-appropriate standards, addressing opportunities promptly and fairly.
Support colleagues with kindness, fairness, and respect and encourage a positive working environment.
Communicate company messages clearly and consistently, and share necessary feedback and questions with Cluster or Home Office resources.
Run the store effectively in the Store Manager’s absence and support the team or other Cluster stores as needed.
Pursue personal development by listening, learning, receiving feedback, and applying it to improve performance and career capabilities.
Comply with company policies and procedures.

Benefits

Employee discount
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Sick pay
Paid time off, including paid maternity and parental leave (for employees scheduled for 20 or more hours per week)
Company-paid holidays (for employees scheduled for 20 or more hours per week)
401(k) with company match (for employees scheduled for 20 or more hours per week)
Transit benefit (for employees scheduled for 20 or more hours per week)
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision health benefits (for employees scheduled for 30 or more hours per week)
Healthcare and dependent care spending accounts (for employees scheduled for 30 or more hours per week)
Disability benefits (for employees scheduled for 30 or more hours per week)
Life insurance (for employees scheduled for 30 or more hours per week)
Tuition reimbursement (for employees scheduled for 30 or more hours per week)