Deputy Assistant Store Manager

Barnes & Noble•Gaithersburg, MD

About The Position

The Deputy Assistant Store Manager (DASM) develops leadership skills, makes sound decisions, and helps sustain high performance while ensuring the smooth operation of the bookstore through effective leadership and deployment of the store team. The role promotes consistent bookstore basics, strong operational and merchandising standards, appropriate stock levels, a welcoming Children’s Department, effective café partnership, strong customer service, membership and book-pick sales, health and safety practices, and balanced scheduling. The DASM is expected to lead by example, motivate colleagues, and hold the team to appropriate standards. The DASM owns key responsibilities supporting store operations and leads the team when the Assistant Store Manager or Store Manager is absent. They support colleague development, address performance opportunities fairly and promptly in partnership with store management, communicate company messages, and foster a respectful and positive working environment. The role also involves collaborating with cluster support teams and, when needed, supporting other stores in the Cluster. The employee is expected to pursue their own development, follow company policies and procedures, and may work in other stores when able and needed. The work involves prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking. The hourly rate starts at $30.00, depending on experience, seniority, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Benefits depend on scheduled weekly hours and location; the posting describes benefits available at different hour thresholds, including employee discount, EAP, sick pay, paid time off, paid parental leave, company-paid holidays, 401(k) with company match, health benefits, spending accounts, disability benefits, life insurance, transit, and tuition reimbursement.

Requirements

Ability to lead, motivate, and support a store team and sustain consistent performance.
Sound decision-making and the ability to remain equitable and consistent under pressure.
Ability to communicate company messages and provide clear, consistent direction.
Ability to support store operations, customer service, merchandising, inventory, safety, and scheduling standards.
Ability to perform prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking.
Willingness and ability to work in other stores when needed.

Responsibilities

Lead and deploy the store team to support smooth day-to-day bookstore operations.
Maintain bookstore presentation and operational standards, including an organized stockroom and backstock and timely receipt and shelving of deliveries.
Oversee commercial presentation across the Front of Store, table displays, specialty areas, and non-book sections; replenish visual merchandising as needed.
Maintain strong section detail and stock levels, working with Inventory Cluster Support to ensure appropriate offerings.
Support a well-presented Children’s Department with balanced stock and a welcoming environment.
Support café standards, partnership with the café team, and promotion of Membership and book picks.
Ensure strong customer service through appropriate Front of Store coverage, natural greetings, and knowledgeable, professional service at registers.
Promote Our Monthly Picks and assess whether bookseller behaviors are consistently demonstrated.
Prioritize health, safety, and loss prevention, including de-escalation, active-threat response, Code Adam, and emergency procedures.
Support roster and budget alignment, collaborating with Rota Cluster Support and, when needed, Recruiter Cluster Support.
Take ownership of key responsibilities and run the store in the absence of the Assistant Store Manager and Store Manager.
Support team development and individual booksellers’ potential in collaboration with store management and relevant support teams.
Hold team members accountable to role-appropriate standards and address performance opportunities promptly and fairly with the Assistant Store Manager and Store Manager.
Treat and support the team with kindness, fairness, and respect, fostering a positive working environment.
Communicate company messages clearly and consistently when store managers are absent and share necessary feedback and questions with Cluster or Home Office resources.
Demonstrate integrity, personal credibility, resilience, and determination while supporting engagement and performance.
Develop personal skills by listening to feedback, reflecting, and applying learning toward career goals.
Comply with company policies and procedures and support other Cluster stores when able and needed.