Objective Of The Position

The Assistant Store Manager is responsible for leading the store team in close partnership with the Store Manager to ensure that all of the objectives set forth by the company are achieved. The Assistant Store Manager is primarily responsible for ensuring customer service excellence, client development, adherence to visual merchandising standards, and operational standards. In tandem with the Store Manager, the Assistant Store Manager is also responsible for recruitment of staff, coaching and counseling, and training and development of the store staff. In the absence of the Store Manager, the Assistant Store Manager is charged with overseeing all aspects of the store and staff, and is the most senior presence in the store.

Essential Duties And Job Responsibilities

Leadership:

• Set the example for exceptional customer service and store standards
• Conduct him/herself as James Perse brand ambassador
• Partner with the Store Manager in driving and motivating the team to achieve and exceed sales goals and store Kpis
• Consistently represent and reinforce company standards and policies, and hold staff accountable in partnership with Store Manager and Human Resources
• Ensure that the store team is fluent in product knowledge, company history, brand values and that brand messaging is consistent
• Identify opportunities in product, sales, and team development and strategically present ideas and solutions to Store Manager
• Local market knowledge of clientele base and brand competitors
• Awareness of business trends that relate to the success of the store
• Ensure that the store staff is well-versed in market knowledge, competitors, business trends, etc.
• Suggest and pursue appropriate partnerships in the local community in conjunction with Store Manager and Regional Director of Stores
• Collaborate with cross-functional colleagues to achieve business objectives, in partnership with Store Manager

Sales:

• Coach and guide the store staff to achieve and exceed individual sales goal and company Kpis (Upt, Adt, etc.)
• Consistently ensure customers are the number one store priority
• Assist, coach and guide sales associates in suggesting additional merchandise to clients, through styling and product knowledge
• Ensure that the sales team incorporates the James Perse lifestyle into the selling ceremony
• Proactively network and teach the sales team to consistently build and develop client base
• Partner with the Store Manager to create and execute strategies to maximize sales

Customer Experience:

• Ensure that the store staff consistently prioritizes the customer’s experience in the store
• Lead the clienteling activities within the store, and regularly measure success and opportunity
• Ensure that all clients are attended to in the fitting rooms, that correct sizes are located, and that the Pos sales execution is seamless and accurate
• Consistently elevate the level of customer service inside the store to set the James Perse brand apart from its competitors
• Lead, guide, and support the staff in creatively individualizing the customer experience
• Satisfactorily resolve customer issues and/or complaints

Staff Management and Development Responsibilities:

• Ensure all aspects of the business are managed and maintained in the absence of the Store Manager
• Conduct store meetings (i.e. morning meetings) in partnership with the Store Manager
• Ensure that all staff members adhere to the wardrobe standards for the current season
• Ensure that the staff’s floor presence appropriately represents the James Perse brand
• Assist the Store Manager in recruitment efforts to source exceptional talent for the James Perse brand
• Assist the Store Manager in the onboarding of new staff members and on-going training of existing staff members
• Assist the Store Manager in ensuring retention of top talent and succession planning
• Assist the Store Manager in clearly articulating the company’s expectations to the staff
• Assist the Store Manager in follow-up and monitoring of store staff in the achievement of goals
• Assist the Store Manager in holding the staff accountable through coaching and counseling
• Assist the Store Manager in conducting performance appraisals of store staff (monthly, annually)

Operational Responsibilities:

• Open and close the store and conduct all opening and closing procedures
• Ensure the staff’s adherence to all store standards (cleanliness, maintenance, etc.) on selling floor and back of house
• Lead by example and ensure Visual Merchandising standards are consistently upheld
• Process merchandise movements (transfer, charge sends, etc.) for the store staff
• Ensure all staff partakes in the replenishment of product on the sales floor and maintenance of back stock
• Ensure maximum product is available on the floor, and it is sized, folded, and presented in accordance with company standards
• Complete all required daily and weekly reporting as requested by Corporate in partnership with the Store Manager
• Process and manage timekeeping for the store staff in partnership with the Store Manager
• Partners with the Stock team and the Store Manager on all cycle counts and inventory counts, ensure staff participation
• Ensure that all transfers, consolidations, pricing, shipping/receiving are done in compliance with all company policies and procedures

Principal Skills, Knowledge, And Personal Attributes Required

Special Skills:

• Must have strong computer skills (Ms Office)
• Must have Teamwork, or similar retail system, skills
• Foreign language skills a plus
• Ideally has a cultivated and established clientele following
• Ability to relocate is preferable to maximize career development opportunities

Work Experience:

• Minimum 3-4 years experience in retail sales or related field, with at least 2 years of supervisory responsibility (more experience may be required for high volume stores)

Education:

• High School Graduate or Equivalent required
• College Degree Preferred

Competencies Required

Core competencies required for Assistant Store Manager:

• Ability to Multi-Task
• Building Effective Teams
• Business Acumen
• Conflict Management
• Creativity and Innovation Management
• Customer Focus
• Dealing with Ambiguity
• Decision Quality
• Developing Direct Reports and Others
• Directing Others
• Drive for Results
• Hiring and Staffing
• Integrity and Trust
• Managerial Courage
• Managing and Measuring Work
• Motivating Others
• Organizational Agility
• Priority Setting/Time Management
• Problem Solving & Process Management
• Strategic Thinking & Agility