Management Trainee Program

Bellis Fair•Bellingham, WA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Management Trainee works to fulfill Buckle’s mission of creating an enjoyable shopping experience for Guests. The role performs sales, merchandising, and operational tasks assigned by store management, including cashiering, merchandise displays and pulls, register procedures, and routine facility cleaning. Working directly with the Store Manager, the Management Trainee develops sales, recruiting, and leadership skills in preparation to become a Store Manager. The role also helps train and motivate Teammates and acts as Store Manager in their absence. The position combines Guest service and sales with teammate development, visual merchandising, store operations, and leadership support. The Management Trainee completes a structured program with weekly topics, assignments, and reviews, and may travel to cover other stores in the district. Compensation is listed as $23–$27 per hour, including base rate plus commission for sales positions; final offers depend on factors such as skills, experience, location, and qualifications. Buckle describes benefits for both full-time and part-time Teammates, with eligibility varying by benefit.

Requirements

Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include mornings, evenings, weekends, and the day of and day after Thanksgiving and Christmas, based on store and business needs.
Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in a relevant field, or one to three months of related retail experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel, including overnight travel as required.
Ability to lift and maneuver 50 pounds throughout the store and backroom.
Ability to meet the physical demands of regularly standing, walking, handling and reaching, climbing or balancing and jumping, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, and talking or hearing; occasional sitting is also required.
Required vision abilities include close, distance, and color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
No visa sponsorship is available.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in a relevant field of study is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide friendly, engaging Guest service; answer questions and help Guests locate merchandise suited to their needs.
Recommend additional items, create wardrobing experiences, demonstrate product knowledge, and build Guest relationships and a client-based business.
Meet personal sales-per-hour, average sales, and total net sales goals, and use the Sales Presentation Guide to support sales performance.
Maintain knowledge of promotions, payment and exchange policies, and security practices; support Guest loyalty and sales initiatives.
Help lead, motivate, educate, and develop Teammates; assist with coaching and counseling in accordance with Buckle policies.
Recruit for the store, participate in interviews with the Store Manager, and help arrange interviews.
Help implement, evaluate, and create visual displays according to Buckle guidelines; manage product categories and maintain store presentation standards.
Complete the Management Trainee Program assignments and reviews, including reviewing assignments with the District Manager.
Assist with store opening and closing, register balancing, bank deposits, inventory supplies, loss prevention, key controls, returns, exchanges, and other operational duties.
Communicate with store and district leadership and the Corporate Office about operations, sales, teammate performance, repairs, merchandise handling, policy violations, and concerns.
Support planning and leading the team, daily reviews, team meetings, and completion of new-hire onboarding paperwork.
Collaboratively supervise Teammates under store management and carry out recruiting, interviewing, training, reviewing, delegating, scheduling, and leadership responsibilities as assigned.
Act as Store Manager when the Store Manager is absent and handle emergencies in accordance with company guidelines.
Travel to and cover other stores within the district based on business needs.
Maintain a clean, organized, and shoppable store and fulfill assigned special projects and other duties.

Benefits

Medical coverage with a choice of two comprehensive plans; preventive care is covered at 100%, with virtual care access.
Dental and vision insurance.
24/7 virtual general, behavioral, and dermatology care.
Employee Assistance Program offering 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 an HSA for Teammates enrolled 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 earned according to role and years of service, with stated starting amounts of 80 or 120 hours depending on employment status and prorated for the first partial year.
40 hours of sick time per year, or more where required by law, prorated for the first partial year; up to 80 hours may be carried over, subject to an 80-hour annual maximum including carryover.
One floating holiday and up to three days of bereavement leave.
One paid volunteer day for salaried Teammates.
Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance, with options for supplemental life and short- and long-term disability plans.
Paid and unpaid leave of absence for qualifying situations, with Benefits Team guidance.
Medical leave pay for eligible salaried Teammates, which may be used as paid parental leave for qualifying Teammates.
Accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity supplemental insurance options.
Legal services, identity theft protection, and pet insurance for eligible Teammates.
Eligible part-time Teammates may access medical plans, 401(k) with company match, EAP mental health resources, and paid leave where required by law.