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.” AIT and Assistant Managers perform a variety of sales, merchandising, and operational tasks assigned by store management (e.g., cashiering, merchandise display and pulls, register procedures, and routine cleaning of facilities). The Assistant Manager position is a progression from the AIT role and includes additional high-level duties, though most responsibilities are shared.

You will work directly with the Store Manager and Leadership Team to develop sales, recruit new Teammates, and provide leadership. The role also involves training and motivating Teammates and acting as the Store Manager in their absence.

Responsibilities

• Sales Generation and Guest Service
  • Greet Guests with a friendly, engaging attitude and provide legendary service.
  • Recommend, select, and help locate merchandise based on Guest needs and desires.
  • 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, payment policies, exchanges, 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.
  • Meet or exceed performance standards in business builders and guest loyalty (fit appointments, Buckle credit card, guest connect).
  • Investigate and expand Guest selection through inventory tools and apps.
  • Maintain and build Guest relationships to develop a client-based business.
  • Lead by example with high-level showmanship, excellent customer service, and attentiveness.
  • Plan sales goals with the Store Manager and demonstrate ownership of store performance.
  • Passion for product education and showmanship to drive results.
• Teammate Recruiting, Training, and Development
  • Recognize recruiting opportunities using Jobs & Careers cards, referrals, and Teammate recommendations.
  • Coach and develop skills in new Teammates to meet accountability, shift orientation, and sales standards.
  • Maintain a positive attitude and foster a positive floor culture.
  • Demonstrate personal dress code to encourage fashion leadership.
  • Participate in daily setup, training, and reviewing using the Performance Tracker.
  • Motivate Teammates to complete tasks and achieve denim showmanship goals.
  • Execute actions from department calendars and track progress on the Weekly Delegation Worksheet.
  • Demonstrate leadership during segments and involve Guests with product engagement.
  • Partner with the Store Manager to pick the store’s education focus and delegate implementation.
  • Assist in recruiting store staff and explain pay and Buckle benefits.
  • Train and coach on all non-sales positions and execute leadership playbook actions.
• Visual Merchandise Management
  • Own and influence product through zone ownership, assigning zones and projects to Teammates.
  • Execute and demonstrate new tools and videos related to zone ownership.
  • Partner with the Store Manager to delegate and review all 4 zones.
  • Ensure Teammates follow Visual Standards, Visual Library, and Weekly Visual Checklist.
  • Recognize merchandising opportunities and communicate recommendations to the Store Manager.
  • Ensure the sales floor is consistently sized and new freight is displayed appropriately.
  • Use the Performance Tracker to improve store performance and anticipate product changes.
• Operations
  • Work a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays (e.g., Thanksgiving, Christmas).
  • Understand and utilize the planner, including Opening and Closing Checklists.
  • Watch for security risks and thefts, following Loss Prevention guidelines (e.g., daily bag checks).
  • Execute and teach all Point of Sale (POS) procedures.
  • Handle corporate calls appropriately.

Pay

Pay range: $20–$25/hour. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on skill set, experience, location, and qualifications. For sales positions, Buckle pays a base rate plus 3% commission on sales.

Benefits

• Full-Time Teammates
  • Health
    • Medical Coverage: Choose between two comprehensive plans with 100% preventive care coverage and virtual care access.
    • Dental and Vision Insurance: Preventive and routine care.
    • Virtual Care: 24/7 access to general, behavioral, and dermatology consultations.
    • Mental Health Resources: Free confidential counseling, wellness coaching, and self-care tools via the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  • Wealth
    • 401(k) with Company Match: Traditional and Roth options with discretionary matching contributions.
    • Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax options for medical and dependent care expenses. Buckle contributes to HSAs for high-deductible plan enrollees.
    • Performance Bonuses: Incentive-based bonuses for eligible Teammates.
    • Teammate Discount: 40% off Buckle products and 25% off gift cards.
  • Peace of Mind
    • Time Off: Vacation time earned progressively (80–120 hours based on role and tenure). 40 hours of sick time per year (up to 80 hours carryover). 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 for supplemental life and disability plans.
    • Leave of Absence: Paid and unpaid time away for qualifying situations, including medical leave pay for eligible salaried Teammates (can be used as paid parental leave).
    • Supplemental Insurance: Accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity coverage.
    • Additional Benefits: Legal services, identity theft protection, and pet insurance.
• Part-Time Teammates
  • Teammate Discount: 40% off Buckle products and 25% off gift cards.
  • Medical Plan Access: Choose between two comprehensive plans with 100% preventive care coverage and virtual care access.
  • 401(k) with Company Match: Traditional and Roth options with discretionary matching contributions.
  • Mental Health Resources: Free confidential counseling, wellness coaching, and self-care tools via the EAP.
  • Paid Leave: Accrues where required by law (1 hour per 30 hours worked).