The Assistant Manager supports the Store Manager in maximizing store potential, achieving sales productivity goals and profitability as well as hiring, coaching and developing associates as selling and style advisors. Works closely with the Store Manager to carry out corporate policies and assist with ensuring excellent J.Jill visual merchandising and operational standards. In the absence of the Store Manager and Co-Manager, the Assistant Manager acts in the capacity of the Manager on Duty.
Responsibilities :
Sales Generation and Performance
Provides leadership in achieving individual and store sales and productivity performance goals:
- Review all store goals and results and assist with implementing actionable plans to improve store performance if necessary
- Ability to forecast business and communicate appropriate goals to associates to drive results and hold teams accountable, while managing expenses
- Assist with communicating store and individual goals to all associates in the store and use metrics to motivate associates to contribute their best efforts
- Utilize the current store reports and tools to consistently and effectively coach and communicate goals and priorities to all associates
- Identify and celebrate individual and team successes
- Build customer loyalty by leading associates to create genuine connections with customers, assist with company sponsored outreach to acquire new customers and participate in local customer outreach opportunities to increase customer visit frequency
- Work with customers to resolve merchandise and customer service issues timely and effectively, ensuring a positive customer experience and continued customer loyalty
Coaches Store Team
Promote a positive and energetic store atmosphere of teamwork as well as individual associate contribution:
- Act as a role model for selling culture by delighting customers with service that is unique to their needs and helping customers build an entire wardrobe by providing guiding, helpful advice
- Ensure an effective leader is scheduled and functioning in the role of sales leader on the sales floor at all times
- Challenge individuals to learn and grow and try new skills and selling approaches and share successes with one another
- Encourage store associates to try on new styles to enhance product knowledge
- Encourage store associates to project J. Jill brand and style advisor image
Talent Management
- Assist the Store Manager in identifying and recruiting talent to support J. Jill culture and brand goals and objectives, and assist with filling open positions in a timely manner
- Conduct ongoing training and development of all associates on selling culture and techniques, policies and procedures, and operational and visual merchandising standards
- Assist the Store Manager with evaluating associate performance and developing associate skills and knowledge through feedback and challenging assignments
Visual Merchandising
- Assist with planning and executing floor set and ongoing re-merchandising of store
- Ensure excellent visual standards are consistently maintained
- Replenish the sales floor according to minimum product level standards
Operational Excellence
- Assist with developing weekly store schedules to maximize coverage during peak selling time. Adjust schedules as needed to meet customer needs
- Ensure daily use of current reports and tools to plan strategy of floor coverage and management of tasks
- Participate in all operational areas and functions including: knowledge and implementation of all company policies and procedures, marketing, product replenishment, markdowns and promotions, store cleanliness and backroom organization
- Assist with protecting company assets and reduce merchandise shrink by overseeing internal, external and administrative inventory processes according to company procedures
- Ensure compliance to company policies and procedures, and federal, state, and local employment laws to ensure a safe environment and protect Company assets
- Work with the Store Manager as needed on loss prevention investigations
Qualifications :
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2-4 years Women’s Specialty Retail experience required, 1+ years in a Store Management position preferred
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Point of Sale and general office software technical experience
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Experience in relevant Human Resource processes
- Strong leadership qualities, training and team building skills
- Excellent customer service skills with statistical track record in all areas of sales
- Experience in recruiting and retaining a talented sales and support team
- Strong communication and analytical skills
- Strong style, merchandising and wardrobing skills