Assistant in Training

About the Role

The Assistant in Training (AIT) and Assistant Manager position's primary responsibility is to fulfill the mission statement, “to create the most enjoyable shopping experience possible for our Guests.” The Assistant Manager position is a progression from the AIT position and includes additional high-level duties.

Key Responsibilities

• Sales Generation and Guest Service:
• Greet Guests with a friendly, engaging attitude and 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 needs by suggesting additional items and creating a wardrobing experience.
• Demonstrate product utilizing product knowledge and sales education.
• Maintain and share knowledge of current sales and promotions, payment and exchange policies, and security practices.
• Achieve personal sales-per-hour, average sales, and total net sales goals.
• Provide legendary service in the front 5, sales floor, fitting rooms, and register area.
• Handle exchange and return procedures.
• Fill out and effectively use the Sales Presentation Guide (SPG) daily.
• Meet or exceed performance standards in fit appointments, Buckle credit card, and guest connect.
• Expand Guest selection through Inventory Manager, advanced product search, and iPad apps.
• Maintain and build good Guest relationships to develop a client-based business.
• Lead by example with showmanship, excellent customer service, and attentiveness.
• Recognize and communicate Guest Levels with the Team.
• Ask business-driven and showmanship questions to Management and Teammates.
• Be coachable and welcome feedback from the Manager.
• Perform leadership actions and maintain high standards, whether or not the Manager is present.
• Plan sales goals with the Store Manager.
• Demonstrate ownership of store's sales performance (Sales, Average sale, Business builders, Denim).
• Create results through product education and showmanship.
• Teammate Recruiting, Training and Development:
• Recognize recruiting opportunities using Jobs & Careers cards, email referrals, and Teammate Recommend.
• Coach and create relationships through Guest Loyalty and Guest Preferred.
• Develop skills and assist in leading, directing, motivating, and educating new Teammates.
• Maintain a positive attitude and create a positive floor culture.
• Demonstrate personal dress code to encourage and coach the latest fashion.
• Participate effectively in daily setup, training, impacting, and reviewing.
• Motivate Teammates to initiate and complete daily tasks.
• Coach and influence results of denim showmanship and denim fit cards.
• Create and develop results in your department and balance all DM actions within your segment.
• Execute actions from department calendars.
• Demonstrate leadership actions during segments.
• Demonstrate how to get the Guest involved with product.
• Update fellow leaders and Team.
• Remember Guest names.
• Understand and show merchandise from both Gals and Guys' sides.
• Partner with Store Manager to pick store’s education focus and delegate/implement it.
• Assist Store Manager in recruitment of all store staffing needs.
• Explain pay and Buckle Benefits.
• Keep up-to-date with contact list and add top talent.
• Execute and train on the Leadership playbook.
• Accountability of all characteristic pieces.
• SPG Teammate/leader training shifts.
• Train and coach on all non-sales positions.
• Execute actions with constantly changing sales focuses.
• Identify and follow through on all Teammate training needs.
• Visual Merchandise Management:
• Influence product through zone ownership, recognizing and assigning zones and projects to Teammates.
• Execute and demonstrate new tools and videos for zone ownership.
• Partner with Store Manager to delegate, demonstrate, and review all 4 zones.
• Confirm Teammates are following Visual Standards, Visual library, and Weekly Visual Checklist.
• Recognize merchandising opportunities from freight to floor and product lifecycle.
• Communicate recommendations and solutions to Store Manager.
• Give informational and influential store tours.
• Ensure sales floor is consistently sized and new freight is appropriately displayed.
• Create changes to improve store's overall performance via Performance Tracker.
• Anticipate changes in product and act independently to improve visual results.
• Responsible for visual standards on floor and backroom.
• Operations:
• Work a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Understand and utilize planner including completion of Opening and Closing Checklists.
• Recognize and handle security risks and thefts.
• Follow all Loss Prevention guidelines.
• Execute and teach all Point of Sale (POS) procedures.
• Handle calls from Corporate Office.
• Maintain a positive attitude when dealing with challenging situations.
• Understand and execute all policies regarding payments, returns, exchanges, and Loss Prevention.
• Navigate and execute all tools on the home page.
• Give guidance and feedback to all non-sales positions.
• Complete all scheduled shifts and cover shifts when needed.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and shoppable store.
• Provide feedback to Store Manager and Leadership Team regarding merchandise handling.
• Communicate policy violations and concerns to Store Manager, District Manager, and/or Human Resources.
• Understand and apply Buckle's Code of Ethics and all policies, procedures, and handbooks.
• Complete New Hire paperwork and tasks.
• Plan for week/month/year.
• Execute and train others on opening/closing checklist.
• Complete Markdowns, Pulls, inbound/outbound freight, recalls, Return to Vendors (RTVs).
• Establish relationships and communication with Corporate Office Departments.
• Monitor and maintain adequate inventory of supplies.
• Handle emergencies in Store Manager’s absence.
• Supervisory and Leadership:
• Give and receive feedback from peers and Management.
• Be supportive of Leadership.
• Promote personal and store growth.
• Maintain a professional, mature, and stable relationship with all Teammates.
• Execute daily interviews as needed.
• Overcome objections and problem solve.
• Self-educate on company tools and share information.
• Understand and administer Buckle Commitment to Success.
• Travel and cover other Stores within the District based on business needs.
• Handle schedule changes positively and professionally.
• Fulfill mission statement by performing job duties with a high level of customer service.
• Contribute to a positive team spirit.
• Special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Assists the Store Manager in supervising.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Proficiency with Point of Sale (POS) systems.
• Familiarity with Inventory Manager.
• Experience with iPad apps.
• Ability to utilize Performance Tracker.

Qualifications

• One to three months of related retail experience and/or training.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Physical ability to lift and maneuver 50lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay Range: $16-$20/hr (base rate plus commission for sales positions).

• Full-Time Teammate Benefits:

• Health:

• Medical Coverage (two comprehensive plans, 100% preventive care, virtual care access).

• Dental and Vision Insurance.

• Virtual Care (24/7 access).

• Mental Health Resources (Employee Assistance Program - EAP).

• Wealth:

• 401(k) with Company Match.

• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).

• Performance Bonuses.

• Teammate Discount: 40% off Buckle products, 25% off Buckle gift cards.

• Peace of Mind:

• Vacation time (progressive schedule, starting at 80 or 120 hours).

• Sick time (40 hours per year).

• One floating holiday.

• Up to three days of bereavement leave.

• Paid volunteer day (salaried teammates).

• Income Protection: Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance, with options for supplemental life and disability plans.

• Leave of Absence Support: Paid and unpaid time away for qualifying situations.

• Supplemental Insurance Options: Accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity coverage.

• Additional Benefits: Legal services, identity theft protection, pet insurance.

• Part-Time Teammate Benefits:

• Teammate Discount: 40% off Buckle products, 25% off Buckle gift cards.

• Medical Plan Access: Two comprehensive medical plans for eligible part-time teammates.

• 401(k) with Company Match.

• Mental Health Resources (Employee Assistance Program - EAP).

• Paid Leave in applicable states.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance and jump, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to sit.
• Physical ability to lift and maneuver 50lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Retail store setting.
• Moderate noise level.