Assistant Manager

Company Overview

J.McLaughlin was founded in 1977 by brothers Kevin and Jay McLaughlin with a mission to create an American sportswear brand that offers classic clothing with current relevance and a retail environment that feels like a neighborhood. The brand emphasizes style over fashion—straightforward, unpretentious, and rooted in the tradition of sport, work, and play. With over 150 retail locations, each store is uniquely designed to reflect the town’s color, character, and architecture, extending to exemplary customer service and local philanthropic engagement. The “Culture of Kindness” fosters respect, politeness, consideration, and empathy, creating a family‑like atmosphere and focusing on giving back to the community. The company’s entrepreneurial spirit provides great experience, career opportunities, and incentive benefits programs.

About the Role

The Assistant Manager partners with the Store Manager on all aspects of the business, including sales, customer service, visual merchandising, team development, staffing, and operations. As a brand ambassador, the Assistant Manager is responsible for taking care of clients, driving sales, and creating a unique shopping experience for new and existing customers.

Essential Functions

• Act as the Brand Ambassador by embracing company culture and cultivating strong relationships with clients and the community.
• Motivate and engage the store team by setting clear goals and expectations to achieve objectives and contribute to overall store success.
• Provide exemplary client service to create a customer‑centric, friendly retail environment that fosters loyalty.
• Mentor sales associates with selling techniques, product knowledge, and clienteling methods to help them grow their business.
• Manage store operations to ensure all aspects run effectively and efficiently while keeping customers the top priority.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support the Store Manager with sales, customer service, loss prevention, training, merchandising, inventory management, and store operations.
• Create and maintain a culture of kindness that is client‑ and team‑focused.
• Train and develop teams on selling skills, product knowledge, and operations; coach in the moment to maximize sales.
• Execute a client outreach plan using clienteling tools to inform customers about events and new product arrivals.
• Assist with store events and trunk shows to build a reputation as a local and loyal retailer.
• Drive sales by demonstrating extensive product knowledge and making appropriate suggestions to clients.
• Understand sales plans, key metrics, and how they contribute to the store’s overall success.
• Effectively use the POS system to provide exemplary customer service.
• Plan and prioritize workload, ensuring the customer remains the top priority.
• Communicate business needs with the Store Manager, District Manager, and store teams.
• Share best practices, ideas, and information with peers across markets and build productive relationships.
• Answer customer questions, inquiries, and concerns, resolving issues in a timely manner.
• Execute direction from Retail Operations and the Corporate Office.
• Assist the Store Manager in merchandising the sales floor to maximize sales while adhering to visual standards.
• Maintain a clean and organized sales floor, stockroom, and common areas to ensure a welcoming environment.
• Adhere to and enforce company policies, procedures, and standards of professionalism.
• Lead by example and maintain the highest level of integrity at all times.

Skills & Requirements

• 1+ years of retail management experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Team player with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Consistently demonstrates accountability, reliability, and professionalism.
• Proven track record of achieving sales goals and taking accountability for results.
• Positive, self‑motivated attitude to win every customer.
• High energy and results‑driven.
• Adaptability to change and strong problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to multi‑task while keeping the customer as the top priority.
• Willingness to work various shifts, including weekends and holidays.
• Comfortable standing for long periods; able to lift up to 30 pounds.