Assistant Store Manager

Job Summary

A Barnes & Noble bookstore is a gathering place for readers and the community. As a Store Manager (SM), your key focus and responsibility is the smooth running of your store. You do this by leading, developing, and working through your team and Cluster to ensure the store is delivering expected results.

About the Role

The effectiveness of your team is a direct reflection of your ability to lead and motivate that team. You and the management team hold yourselves and the team to these standards, reinforcing expectations. These behaviors collectively demonstrate that your store team understands and reflects the following:

• Firm understanding and consistency of all Bookstore Basics, maintaining the store’s presentation to expected standards.
• Strong operational standards maintaining a well-organized stockroom and backstock, receiving and shelving deliveries in a timely manner.
• Commercial direction, presentation, and execution across the Front of Store (FOS) and table displays, that highlight key titles and promotions.
• Strong section detail and appropriate stock levels, with the team working effectively with the Inventory Cluster Support (ICS) team to ensure appropriate offerings.
• A well-presented Children’s Department with clear ownership, balanced stock, a strong commercial offer, and a welcoming space.
• Proper execution and understanding around Specialty visual merchandising, replenishment, and disciplines, delivering the Gift and FOS presentation, Toys & Games, and other non-book sections correctly.
• Solid execution of café standards supported by the store team, fostering a positive culture of partnership within the café team and actively promoting Membership and book picks.
• Delivery of good service by having the FOS well covered and the team being “heads up,” greeting and offering help to most customers in an unintrusive, natural way.
• Friendly, knowledgeable, and professional service at the registers, working naturally with Membership, Our Monthly Picks, and other store services, achieving sales objectives.
• Effective selling of Our Monthly Picks, evaluating how well the bookseller behaviors are embedded and demonstrated by the team in a natural and enjoyable way.
• Prioritize health, safety, and loss prevention standards, demonstrating de-escalation techniques, confidence in handling active threats, Code Adam, and emergency procedures.
• Solid execution of roster aligning with the budget, so store scheduling is balanced to effectively and smoothly run the store, collaborating well with Rota Cluster Support (RCS) and when needed, with Recruiter Cluster Support (RC).

Required

• Assess the capabilities and potential of the store team fairly and with good understanding of individual skills, conducting reviews consistently and promptly.
• Prioritize the development of individual booksellers purposefully, meeting the demands of the store, working with the People Cluster Support to do so.
• Hold the store team accountable for consistent standards appropriate for their position, addressing opportunities promptly and fairly.
• Lead the store team with kindness, fairness, and respect, encouraging the same throughout the team, while creating a positive working environment.
• Communicate and deliver appropriate company messages to the store team in a clear, consistent way, sharing necessary feedback and questions with the Cluster, Area, or Home Office resources.
• Demonstrate integrity and personal credibility, inspiring engagement and performance within the team and Cluster.
• Be resilient and determined when under pressure, remaining equitable and consistent while focusing and achieving goals and objectives.
• Be open to learning, listen and accept feedback about your own skills and opportunities, and actively work to improve and develop.
• Seek to use your strengths at the Cluster level and show a willingness to offer support outside their store and accept cluster partnerships.
• Work proactively to remedy weaknesses and develop strengths in position with continual learning to progress in your personal development and career ambition.
• Understand and articulate that you – as with most SMs – have weaknesses and are able to share them and discuss how to address these.

Physical Demands

This work requires physical activity which includes prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and a lot of walking.

Benefits

• Part-time less than 20 hours per week: Sick pay equal to 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, Employee Discount
• Part-time 20 - 29.99 per week: 24 – 34 hours of sick time each year based on your scheduled hours, Employee Discount, Eligible for Paid Time Off after 90 days of employment up to 96 hours in your first year based on hours paid and up to 144 hours thereafter. 6 Company Holidays, 401(k) with Company Match.
• Full Time 30+ hours per week: 36-48 hours of sick time each year based on your scheduled hours, Employee Discount, Eligible for Paid Time Off after 90 days of employment up to 96 hours in your first year based on hours paid and up to 96 hours thereafter. 6 Company Holidays, 401(k). Employee may enroll in Benefits for themselves and eligible dependents which includes Medical Benefits, Vision Benefits, Dental Benefits. Employee is eligible to participate in additional benefits which includes Disability, Life Insurance, Transit, Tuition Reimbursement.

Notes

An employee in this position can expect a fixed rate of $27.75.