Assistant in Training

About the Role

The Assistant in Training (AIT) position's primary responsibility is to fulfill the mission statement: “to create the most enjoyable shopping experience possible for our Guests.” AITs perform a variety of sales, merchandising, and operational tasks assigned by store management. They will work with the Store Manager and Leadership Team to develop sales, recruit new Teammates, and provide leadership. The AIT will also share responsibility for training and motivating Teammates and act as the Store Manager in their absence.

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.

• Anticipate and fulfill Guest needs by suggesting additional items and creating a wardrobing experience.

• Demonstrate product using product knowledge and sales education, sharing with the Team.

• Maintain and share knowledge of current sales, promotions, payment/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.

• Be knowledgeable of all exchange and return procedures and exhibit ability to turn into a showmanship opportunity.

• Fill out and use the Sales Presentation Guide (SPG) daily to accomplish goals.

• Meet or exceed performance standards in fit appointments, Buckle credit card, and guest connect.

• Investigate and navigate how to 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 often to Management and Teammates.

• Be coachable; consistently welcome feedback from Management to improve sales presentations.

• Consistently perform leadership actions and maintain high standards, whether or not Management is present.

• Plan sales goals with the Store Manager.

• Demonstrate ownership of store’s sales performance (Sales, Average sale, Business builders, Denim).

• Show passion for product education and showmanship to create results.

• Teammate Recruiting, Training and Development

• Recognize recruiting opportunities by utilizing 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 to meet Buckle’s accountability, shift orientation, Loss Prevention, and sales presentation standards.

• Maintain a positive attitude at all times, creating a positive floor culture.

• Demonstrate personal dress code to encourage and coach the latest fashion in all Teammates and Team Leaders.

• Participate effectively in daily setup, training, impacting, and reviewing while utilizing the Performance Tracker.

• Motivate Teammates to initiate and complete daily tasks set by Store Management.

• Demonstrate, 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 and track on the Weekly Delegation Worksheet.

• Demonstrate leadership actions during segments.

• Demonstrate how to get the Guest involved with product.

• Be vocal and continuously update fellow leaders and the Team.

• Be responsible for asking for and remembering Guest names.

• Effectively understand and show merchandise from both the Gals’ and Guys’ sides.

• Partner with the Store Manager to pick store’s education focus and help delegate and implement focus all week.

• Help execute all segments to support business goals.

• Assist Store Manager in recruitment of all store staffing needs.

• Understand how to explain pay and Buckle Benefits.

• Be responsible for keeping up-to-date with contact lists and adding top talent to the Team consistently.

• Execute and train on Leadership Playbook.

• Accountability of all characteristic pieces.

• Conduct SPG Teammate/leader training shifts.

• Be responsible for training and coaching with the manager on all non-sales positions.

• Be assertive to execute actions with constantly changing sales focuses.

• Identify and follow through on all Teammate training needs.

• Visual Merchandise Management

• Own and influence product through zone ownership, recognizing and assigning Zones and projects to Teammates daily with a specific learning goal.

• Execute and demonstrate all new tools and videos that apply to zone ownership, taking initiative in knowing and executing zone ownership questions.

• Partner with the Store Manager to delegate, demonstrate, and review all 4 zones.

• Confirm Teammates are following Visual Standards, Visual Library, and Weekly Visual Checklist throughout their shift with urgency and accountability.

• Recognize merchandising opportunities from freight to floor and the product lifecycle, communicating recommendations and solutions to the Store Manager.

• Give informational and influential store tours.

• Ensure the sales floor is consistently sized and new freight is appropriately displayed.

• Exhibit ability to create changes to improve the store’s overall performance via the Performance Tracker.

• Foresee and anticipate changes in product and act independently to improve overall visual results.

• Be responsible for visual standards on the floor and in the backroom.

• Operations

• Work a flexible schedule, which may include mornings, evenings, and weekends.

• Understand and utilize the planner, including completion of Opening and Closing Checklists.

• Watch for and recognize security risks and thefts, and know how to prevent or handle these situations.

• Follow all Loss Prevention guidelines, including daily bag and purse checks.

• Execute and teach all Point of Sale (“POS”) procedures.

• Appropriately handle calls from Corporate Office.

• Maintain a positive attitude when dealing with challenging situations involving Guests or Teammates.

• Understand and execute all policies regarding payments, returns, exchanges, and Loss Prevention practices.

• Navigate and execute all tools on the homepage.

• Give guidance and feedback to all non-sales positions.

• Complete all scheduled shifts and cover shifts when needed.

• Consistently maintain a clean, organized, and shoppable store.

• Provide feedback to the Store Manager and Leadership Team regarding merchandise handling concerns.

• Communicate any policy violations and Teammate or Guest concerns to the Store Manager, District Manager, and/or Human Resources in a timely, confidential manner.

• Understand and apply the Buckle’s Code of Ethics and all policies, procedures, and handbooks.

• Ensure all New Hire paperwork and tasks are promptly and accurately completed based on Human Resources guidelines and Legal policies.

• Planning (week/month/year).

• Execute and train others on the opening/closing checklist.

• Complete Markdowns, Pulls, inbound/outbound freight, recalls, Return to Vendors (RTVs).

• Establish relationships and excellent communication with Corporate Office Departments.

• Monitor and maintain an adequate inventory of supplies.

• Immediately handle emergencies in the Store Manager’s absence, in accordance with Company guidelines.

• Supervisory and Leadership

• Be comfortable in giving and receiving feedback from peers and Management.

• Be supportive of Leadership.

• Promote personal and store growth.

• Demonstrate and maintain a professional, mature, and stable relationship with all Teammates.

• Execute daily interviews as needed to support Team Development and growth.

• Overcome objections and problem-solve.

• Motivated to self-educate on all company tools (videos, pieces, books) and share this information with others.

• Understand and administer the Buckle Commitment to Success.

• Ability to travel and cover other Stores within the District based on business needs.

• Handle all schedule changes in a positive and professional manner.

• Fulfill mission statement by performing job duties with high customer service while contributing to a positive team spirit.

• Special projects and other duties as assigned.

• Assist the Store Manager in supervising.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Sales Presentation Guide (SPG)
• Inventory Manager
• iPad apps
• Performance Tracker
• Weekly Delegation Worksheet
• Point of Sale (“POS”)
• Return to Vendors (RTVs)
• Leadership Playbook

Qualifications

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months related retail experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 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 throughout the store and backroom.
• Specific vision abilities required: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Works in a retail store setting.
• Moderate noise level in the work environment.

Benefits

• Insurance
• Spending and Savings Accounts
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Teammate Discount
• Performance Bonuses
• Leave Options
• Employee Assistance Program