Assistant Store Manager - Famous Footwear

Caleres • Middletown, NY

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Store Manager at Famous Footwear helps provide an engaging shoe-store experience for the whole family and serves as the store leader in the Store Manager’s absence. This people leader motivates and develops associates to meet sales and growth goals, models effective customer engagement, and supports a culture focused on customer relationships, operational excellence, and consistent service. The role also supports product and store presentation, keeps the team informed about trends, and helps associates deliver the Famous Footwear customer experience.

Working in partnership with the Store Manager, the Assistant Store Manager helps recruit, interview, and hire talent; supports staffing levels; and oversees daily retail operations such as pricing, shipping, and inventory. The role uses sales insights and observations to improve store results, develops associates through coaching and training, fosters an inclusive and positive team environment, and supports compliance with company policies and programs through training, inspection, and follow-up. Other responsibilities may be performed as needed to meet business needs.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 1 year of sales experience; retail sales experience is preferred.
• Experience interviewing, hiring, and training people.
• Ability to lead, manage, motivate, and communicate positively with store associates at all levels.
• Ability to train, coach, and develop associates to provide an engaging customer experience and execute operational tasks.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion while partnering with the Store Sales Manager as needed.
• Strong cognitive skills, including problem-solving analysis, decision-making, and financial and quantitative analysis.
• Advanced working knowledge of general retail practices and procedures.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to meet business needs, including holidays, nights, weekends, and extended hours.
• Ability to regularly lift up to 40 pounds from floor level to above shoulder height using appropriate equipment and safety techniques.
• Ability to meet demands of frequent walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, climbing, pushing, pulling, and repetitive lifting.
• Ability to remain mobile on the sales floor for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

• Retail sales experience.
• A passion for shoes and enthusiasm for product and store presentation.

Responsibilities

• Inspire associates to build customer relationships and deliver operational excellence through coaching on customer-connection selling behaviors.
• Network to identify external talent and collaborate with the Store Manager on interviewing and hiring.
• Manage daily retail operations, including pricing, shipping processing, and inventory, in accordance with store standards.
• Support staffing levels based on associate availability, peak days, and seasonal hiring needs.
• Take accountability for sales goals and contribute to location performance by applying insights and observations with the Store Manager.
• Promote an inclusive, respectful, positive, and proactive team environment that supports associate engagement and retention.
• Act as store leader when the Store Manager is away.
• Support compliance with company policies and programs through training, ongoing development, inspection, and follow-up.
• Assess team strengths and development opportunities and help develop internal talent in partnership with the Store Manager.
• Train and coach associates in selling techniques, customer experience, and operational tasks.

Benefits

• 30% associate discount across Caleres retail stores, including Famous Footwear, Naturalizer, Sam Edelman, and Allen Edmonds.
• Education assistance of up to $7,500 per year for full-time associates.
• Career development and learning opportunities, including opportunities to grow careers at corporate offices.
• Relaxed dress code and a supportive, hands-on small-team environment.
• Dayforce Wallet access to pay as it is earned, without fees.
• Ability to transfer among more than 850 store locations.
• Employee assistance programs with 24/7 access to emotional support, work-life solutions, legal guidance, financial resources, and other support.
• PTO, health, and retirement benefits for eligible full-time associates.

What This Job Offers

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