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. They share responsibility for training and motivating Teammates and act 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 it consistently 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 meet goals and exceed performance standards in business builders and guest loyalty (e.g., fit appointments, Buckle credit card, guest connect).
  • Expand Guest selection through inventory tools, iPad apps, and advanced product searches.
  • Maintain and build Guest relationships to develop a client-based business.
  • Lead by example with high-level showmanship, excellent 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 performance.
  • Plan sales goals with the Store Manager and demonstrate ownership of store sales performance.
  • Show 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.
  • Develop skills and assist in leading, directing, motivating, and educating 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, impacting, 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 progress on the Weekly Delegation Worksheet.
  • Demonstrate leadership during segments and involve Guests with product.
  • Be vocal and update fellow leaders and the team continuously.
  • Ask for and remember Guest names.
  • Understand and show merchandise for 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 clearly.
  • Maintain an up-to-date contact list and consistently add top talent to the team.
  • Execute and train on the Leadership playbook.
  • Hold accountability for all 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 the product lifecycle, communicating recommendations to the Store Manager.
  • Give informational and influential store tours.
  • Keep the sales floor consistently sized and new freight appropriately displayed.
  • Use the Performance Tracker to create changes that improve the store’s overall performance.
  • 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., day of/day after Thanksgiving and Christmas).
  • Understand and utilize the planner, including completing Opening and Closing Checklists.
  • Watch for and recognize security risks and thefts, following Loss Prevention guidelines.
  • Conduct daily bag and purse checks as part of Loss Prevention.
  • 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.

Pay

Pay range: $17–$20/hour. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on factors such as skill set, experience, location, and qualifications. For sales positions, Buckle pays a base rate plus commission on sales. The range listed is the estimated base rate plus commission for Teammates in this position.

Benefits

• Full-Time Teammate Benefits
  • Health
    • Medical Coverage: Choose between two comprehensive plans. Preventive care is covered at 100%, and all plans include access to virtual care.
    • Dental and Vision Insurance: Preventive and routine care to support everyday health.
    • Virtual Care: 24/7 access to general, behavioral, and dermatology consultations.
    • Mental Health Resources: Free confidential counseling, wellness coaching, and self-care tools through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  • Wealth
    • 401(k) with Company Match: Traditional and Roth options available. Teammates may contribute after meeting eligibility requirements, and Buckle provides discretionary matching contributions.
    • Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax options for qualified medical and dependent care expenses. Buckle contributes to your HSA if enrolled in the high-deductible medical plan.
    • Performance Bonuses: Eligible teammates may earn incentive-based bonuses.
    • Teammate Discount: 40% off Buckle products and 25% off Buckle gift cards.
  • Peace of Mind
    • Time Off: Vacation time is earned on a progressive schedule based on role and years of service (starting at 80 or 120 hours, prorated for the first partial year). Teammates earn 40 hours of sick time per year (or more where required by law), with up to 80 hours carryover. Includes one floating holiday and up to three days of bereavement leave. Salaried teammates receive one paid volunteer day.
    • Income Protection: Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance, with options to add supplemental life and disability plans (short-term and long-term).
    • Leave of Absence Support: Paid and unpaid time away for qualifying situations, with guidance from the Benefits Team. Salaried teammates who meet eligibility requirements are eligible for medical leave pay, which can be used as paid parental leave.
    • Supplemental Insurance Options: Accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity coverage for added financial protection.
    • Additional Benefits: Legal services, identity theft protection, and pet insurance.
• Part-Time Teammate Benefits
  • Medical Plan Access: Eligible part-time teammates may choose between two comprehensive medical plans, with preventive care covered at 100% and access to virtual care.
  • 401(k) with Company Match: Traditional and Roth options available. Teammates may contribute after meeting eligibility requirements, and Buckle provides discretionary matching contributions.
  • Mental Health Resources: Free confidential counseling, wellness coaching, and self-care tools through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  • Paid Leave in Applicable States: Paid leave accrues where required by law; one hour of leave is accrued for every 30 hours worked.