Assistant in Training

About the Role

The Assistant in Training (AIT) and Assistant Manager position’s primary responsibility is to fulfill our mission statement, “to create the most enjoyable shopping experience possible for our Guests.” This role performs a variety of sales, merchandising, and operational tasks assigned by store management, including cashiering, merchandise display, register procedures, and routine cleaning. The AIT and Assistant Manager work directly with the Store Manager and Leadership Team to develop sales, recruit new Teammates, and provide leadership. This role also shares responsibility for training and motivating Teammates and acts as the Store Manager in their absence. The Assistant Manager position is a progression from the AIT role and includes additional high-level duties, though most responsibilities are shared.

Responsibilities

• Sales Generation and Guest Service
  • Greet Guests with a friendly, engaging attitude and provide legendary service.
  • Answer questions about the store and merchandise, recommend and locate products based on Guest needs.
  • Anticipate and fulfill Guest needs by suggesting additional items and creating a wardrobing experience.
  • Demonstrate product knowledge and sales education, sharing this with the Team.
  • Maintain knowledge of current sales, promotions, policies, and security practices.
  • Achieve personal sales-per-hour, average sales, and total net sales goals set by Store Management.
  • Provide legendary service in key areas: Front 5, sales floor, fitting rooms, and register area.
  • Follow exchange and return procedures, turning them into showmanship opportunities.
  • Use the Sales Presentation Guide (SPG) daily to accomplish goals.
  • Meet or exceed performance standards in Buckle business builders and guest loyalty (fit appointments, Buckle credit card, guest connect).
  • Expand Guest selection through inventory management, advanced product search, and iPad apps.
  • Maintain and build Guest relationships to develop a client-based business.
  • Lead by example with high-level showmanship, customer service, and attentiveness.
  • Recognize and communicate Guest Levels with the Team.
  • Ask business-driven and showmanship questions to improve sales presentations.
  • Welcome feedback from the Manager to improve sales presentations.
  • Plan sales goals with the Store Manager and demonstrate ownership of store sales performance.
  • Passion for product education and showmanship to drive results.
• Teammate Recruiting, Training, and Development
  • Recognize recruiting opportunities using Jobs & Careers cards, email referrals, and Teammate recommendations.
  • Coach and build relationships through Guest Loyalty and Guest Preferred programs.
  • Lead, direct, motivate, and educate new Teammates to meet accountability, shift orientation, Loss Prevention, and sales presentation standards.
  • Maintain a positive attitude to foster a positive floor culture.
  • Demonstrate personal dress code to encourage and coach the latest fashion trends.
  • Participate in daily setup, training, and reviewing using the Performance Tracker.
  • Motivate Teammates to complete daily tasks set by Store Management.
  • Demonstrate, coach, and influence denim showmanship and denim fit cards.
  • Create and develop results in your department while balancing actions within your segment.
  • Execute actions from department calendars and track them on the Weekly Delegation Worksheet.
  • Demonstrate leadership during segments and involve Guests with product engagement.
  • Remember and use Guest names effectively.
  • Understand and show merchandise from both Gals and Guys sides to benefit the Team and Guests.
  • Partner with the Store Manager to pick the store’s education focus and delegate implementation.
  • Help execute all segments to support business goals.
  • Assist the Store Manager in recruiting all store staffing needs.
  • Explain pay and Buckle Benefits to Teammates.
  • Maintain an up-to-date contact list and consistently add top talent to the team.
  • Execute and train on the Leadership playbook and accountability of characteristic pieces.
  • Conduct SPG Teammate/leader training shifts.
  • Train and coach with the Manager on all non-sales positions.
  • Execute actions with constantly changing sales focuses.
  • Identify and follow through on all Teammate training needs.
• Visual Merchandise Management
  • Own and influence product through zone ownership, assigning Zones and projects to Teammates daily with specific learning goals.
  • Execute and demonstrate all new tools and videos related to zone ownership.
  • Partner with the Store Manager to delegate, demonstrate, and review all 4 zones.
  • Ensure Teammates follow Visual Standards, Visual Library, and Weekly Visual Checklist with urgency and accountability.
  • Recognize merchandising opportunities from freight to floor and communicate recommendations to the Store Manager.
  • Give informational and influential store tours.
  • Ensure the sales floor is consistently sized and new freight is appropriately displayed.
  • Create changes to improve store performance via the Performance Tracker.
  • Anticipate changes in product and act independently to improve visual results.
  • Maintain visual standards on the floor and in the backroom.
• Operations
  • Work a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays (e.g., Thanksgiving and Christmas).
  • Understand and utilize the planner, including completion of Opening and Closing Checklists.
  • Watch for and recognize security risks and thefts, following Loss Prevention guidelines.
  • Execute and teach all Point of Sale (POS) procedures.
  • Handle calls from the Corporate Office appropriately.
  • Maintain a positive attitude when dealing with challenging situations involving Guests or Teammates.
  • Execute all policies regarding payments, returns, exchanges, and Loss Prevention practices.
  • Navigate and execute all tools on the home page.
  • Provide guidance and feedback to all non-sales positions.
  • Complete all scheduled shifts and cover shifts when needed.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and shoppable store.
  • Provide feedback to the Store Manager and Leadership Team regarding merchandise handling concerns.
  • Communicate policy violations, Teammate, or Guest concerns to the Store Manager, District Manager, or Human Resources.
  • Understand and apply the Buckle’s Code of Ethics and all policies, procedures, and handbooks.
  • Complete New Hire paperwork and tasks accurately and promptly.
• Planning (Week/Month/Year)
  • Execute and train others on opening/closing checklists.
  • Complete markdowns, pulls, inbound/outbound freight, recalls, and Return to Vendors (RTVs).
  • Establish relationships and maintain communication with Corporate Office Departments.
  • Monitor and maintain adequate inventory of supplies.
  • Handle emergencies in the Store Manager’s absence according to Company guidelines.
• Supervisory and Leadership
  • Give and receive feedback from peers and Management.
  • Supportive of Leadership and promote personal and store growth.
  • Maintain a professional, mature, and stable relationship with all Teammates.
  • Conduct daily interviews as needed to support Team Development and growth.
  • Overcome objections and problem-solve effectively.
  • Self-educate on all company tools (videos, pieces, books) and share this information with others.
  • Understand and administer Buckle’s Commitment to Success.
  • Travel and cover other Stores within the District based on business needs.
  • Handle schedule changes professionally and positively.
  • Fulfill the mission statement by performing job duties with high customer service while contributing to a positive team spirit.
• Other Duties
  • Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Assists the Store Manager in supervising the store team.

Benefits

• Insurance (after applicable waiting period)
• Spending and Savings Accounts
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Teammate Discount
• Performance Bonuses
• Leave Options
• Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months of related retail experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger/handle/feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, jump, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to sit.
• Ability to lift and maneuver 50 lbs throughout the store and backroom.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the Teammate regularly works in a retail store setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.