Management Trainee Program

About the Role

The Management Trainee position’s primary responsibility is to fulfill our mission statement, “to create the most enjoyable shopping experience possible for our Guests.” Additionally, Management Trainees 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). Work directly with the Store Manager to develop sales, recruiting, and leadership skills in order to become a Store Manager. The Management Trainee will also share responsibility for training and motivating Teammates and act as the Store Manager in their absence.

Responsibilities

• Sales Generation and Guest Service
  • Greet Guests with a friendly, engaging attitude and consistently provide legendary service.
  • Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise; recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on Guest needs and desires.
  • Anticipate and fulfill Guest’s needs by suggesting additional items and creating a wardrobing experience.
  • Demonstrate product utilizing product knowledge and sales education, consistently sharing that knowledge with the Team.
  • Maintain and share knowledge of current sales, promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
  • Remain consistent on personal sales and look for opportunities to impact Teammates’ presentations with the Sales Presentation Guide (SPG).
  • Achieve personal sales-per-hour, average sales, and total net sales goals set by Store Management.
  • Fill out and effectively use the Sales Presentation Guide (SPG) daily to accomplish goals.
  • Meet or exceed performance standards in Buckle business builders and guest loyalty, including fit appointments, Buckle credit card, and guest connect.
  • Maintain and build good Guest relationships to develop a client-based business.
  • Model, encourage, and demonstrate leadership in customer service and selling skills.
  • Consistently perform leadership actions and maintain high standards, whether or not the Manager is present.
• Teammate Recruiting, Training, and Development
  • Develop skills and assist in leading, directing, motivating, and educating new Teammates to meet Buckle’s accountability, shift orientation, loss prevention, and sales presentation standards.
  • Motivate Teammates to initiate and complete daily tasks.
  • Assist Store Manager with coaching and counseling Teammates in accordance with Buckle policies.
  • Actively recruit for the store and participate in interviewing with the Store Manager.
• Visual Merchandise Management
  • Develop skills and educate Teammates to implement, evaluate, and create visual displays based on Buckle guidelines.
  • Responsible for managing product categories such as denim, shoes, promotions, and supplies.
  • Maintain store standards of excellence at all times.
  • Ensure sales floor is consistently sized and new freight is appropriately displayed.
• Operations
  • Work a flexible schedule, which may include mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays (e.g., day of/day after Thanksgiving and Christmas), based on store and business needs.
  • Set goals and expectations to complete an extensive Management Trainee Program with weekly topics, assignments, and reviews.
  • Review completed Management Trainee assignments with the District Manager.
  • Establish relationships and maintain excellent communication with Area Manager, District Manager, and Corporate Office to assist the Store Manager in the effective operation of the store.
  • Accurately and efficiently complete store opening and closing procedures according to Buckle procedures.
  • Implement Buckle developments with the direction of the Store Manager—policies, procedures, organizational changes, and merchandise offerings.
  • Complete register balance and bank deposits accurately, daily, and on time.
  • Adhere to Loss Prevention policies and store key controls at all times.
  • Handle returns, exchanges, and additional operational and Loss Prevention duties in the Store Manager’s absence.
  • Convey feedback to Store Manager regarding sales and Teammate performance.
  • Monitor and maintain adequate inventory of supplies.
  • Consistently maintain a clean, organized, and shoppable store to fulfill Buckle’s mission statement.
  • Communicate store repair needs to Store Manager.
  • Immediately handle emergencies in the Store Manager’s absence, in accordance with Company guidelines.
  • Provide feedback to Store Manager and Leadership Team regarding merchandise handling concerns.
  • Communicate any policy violations, Teammate, or Guest concerns to Store Manager, District Manager, and/or Human Resources in a timely, confidential manner.
  • Understand and apply Buckle’s Code of Ethics and all Buckle policies, procedures, and handbooks.
• Supervisory and Leadership Support
  • Support the Store Manager by planning and leading the Team, reviewing daily with Teammates, and participating in Team meetings.
  • Partner with Store Manager to ensure all onboarding new hire paperwork is promptly and accurately completed.
  • Prepare to be a Store Manager by collaboratively supervising Teammates in the store location with supervision from store management.
  • Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws, including recruiting, interviewing, training, reviewing, delegating, scheduling, and leading Teammates.
  • Act as the Store Manager in their absence.
  • Travel and cover other stores within the District based on business needs.
  • Fulfill the mission statement by performing job duties with a high level of customer service while contributing to a positive team spirit.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in a relevant field of study preferred; or one to three months of related retail experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• No visa sponsorship is available.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel, including overnight as required.
• Relocation may be required.

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, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, jump, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to sit.
• Physical ability to lift and maneuver 50 lbs throughout the store and backroom.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the 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.

Pay

Pay range: $20–$24/hr. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications, and other job-related reasons. 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 dental and vision care.
  • 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. Buckle provides discretionary matching contributions to qualifying Teammates.
  • 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 in recognition of their performance.
  • 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, depending on employment status, prorated for the first partial year. Teammates earn 40 hours of sick time per year (or more where required by law), prorated for the first partial year; up to 80 hours of sick time may be carried over. Teammates also receive 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 Teammate-paid supplemental life and disability plans (short-term and long-term).
  • Leave of Absence Support: Paid and unpaid time away is available for qualifying situations. 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 available.
  • Additional Benefits: Legal services, identity theft protection, and pet insurance available to eligible teammates.

Part-Time Teammate Benefits

• Teammate Discount: 40% off Buckle products and 25% off Buckle gift cards.
• Medical Plan Access: Eligible part-time teammates may choose between two comprehensive medical plans. Preventive care is