AE - Merchandising Team Leader (Assistant Manager)

American Eagle Outfitters Inc.; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

40% off AE & Aerie products year‑round

Job summary

American Eagle Outfitters Inc. is seeking a full‑time Merchandising Team Leader for our Charlottesville store.

You will serve as the Store Team Leader’s go‑to for developing and implementing the merchandising strategy, coaching your team to meet AEO visual standards, and ensuring a guest-ready store with excellent replenishment. You will drive sales as an on‑the‑floor leader, lead floorset execution, and recruit, train, and coach talent to deliver outstanding service aligned with AEO brand

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in a retail setting.
• Ability to train and develop a team to meet visual and customer service standards.
• Proven ability to drive sales through floorset execution and replenishment.
• Strong communication and coaching skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as the go-to Merchandising Leader responsible for developing and implementing the store merchandising strategy.
• Coach and train team to deliver AEO brand visual standards and guest experience.
• Drive floorset execution, replenishment, and sales floor productivity as Leader on Duty (LOD).
• Recruit, hire, and develop talent to ensure adequate staffing and service levels.
• Provide real-time feedback, performance coaching, and development plans to maximize associate engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Merchandising

Training

People management

Sales optimization

Job description

YOUR ROLE

As the full‑time Merchandising Team Leader, you are the Store Team Leader's "go-to" in developing and implementing the Merchandising strategy for the store. Your passion lies in training and coaching your team into great merchants delivering AEO brand Visual standards every day. Through your leadership, your team always nails floorset execution and rocks merchandising and marketing brand standards. You ensure the store is always "guest ready" through effective replenishment. Most importantly, you represent our company values and bring your REAL self to work every day.

Your Responsibilities

• You have a passion for driving sales: As a key LOD (Leader on Duty), you're an expert at driving sales by maximizing Fitting Room and Salesfloor productivity and building guest loyalty through a best‑in‑class guest experience. You contribute to the overall financial success of the store by analyzing reporting and daily trends to make strategic business decisions. You're the Store Team Leader's right hand in developing short and long‑term business plans to drive key KPIs.
• You're a merchandising innovator: You coach your team to deliver an outstanding guest experience by ensuring the store is always representative of AEO Brand Standards. You lead day‑to‑day merchandising, sell‑through adjustments and replenishment. You have a keen eye for merchandising opportunities and are always ready with a game plan to take action.
• You're a people leader: You're all about motivating and inspiring your team through AEO's core values. You are a role‑model leader and hold your team accountable to rocking AEO's customer service standards on the Salesfloor and in the Fitting Room.
• You have an eye for talent and a love of training: You make it a top priority to recruit and hire strong talent to ensure the store is always staffed to meet business needs. You take pride in training and developing your team to provide outstanding service to the best of their abilities.
• You know that teamwork makes the dream work: You consistently provide ongoing performance feedback through real‑time coaching. You prioritize team touch‑bases, development plans and performance reviews and drive associate engagement by celebrating outstanding performance — #winning!
• You're an operational innovator: You execute and innovate daily operational procedures, support the team in maintaining visual standards throughout every zone in the store, and ensure the Fitting Rooms are always guest‑ready and rocking AEO Brand Standards.
• Integrity is your middle name: You maintain store safety standards, adhere to Asset Protection standards and AEO's policies and procedures, and always do the right thing.

You'd Be Great For This Role If

• You love AE and Aerie products!
• You have led teams in a retail management role previously.
• You can multi‑task and have a strong eye for detail; priority‑setting and time management are your strong suits.
• You know how to lead and develop teams and have a general understanding of employment law.
• You have business acumen.
• You have flexible availability and can work when the guest shops.

Our Associates Love Aeo Because

• They work with REAL people — there's nothing like your AEO Family.
• They're given opportunities for development, the chance to learn new skills, and are offered great potential for career advancement.
• They receive 40% off product at both AE & Aerie year‑round (plus additional seasonal discounts with new Floorsets).
• They participate in store contests for the chance to win FREE merchandise and other exclusive prizes.

About Us

American Eagle is a leading American jeans and apparel brand, the go‑to destination for casual style, embraced by generations of youth since 1977. We are rooted in authenticity, powered by positivity and inspired by our community. Our collections are designed to inspire self‑expression and empower our customers to celebrate their own uniqueness. We have broadened our leadership by producing innovative, sustainable fabrics.

AEO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws. AEO prohibits discrimination against associates and applicants for employment because of the individual's race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or partnership status, domestic violence or stalking victim status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This applies to all AEO activities, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, assignment, training, promotion, performance evaluation, discipline and discharge. AEO also provides reasonable accommodation of religion and disability in accordance with applicable law.

Pay/Benefits Information

• Actual starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to relevant experience and location.
• Subject to eligibility requirements, associates may receive health care benefits (including medical, vision and dental); wellness benefits; 401(k) retirement benefits; life and disability insurance; employee stock purchase program; paid time off; paid sick leave; and parental leave and benefits.
• Paid Time Off, paid sick leave and holiday pay vary by job level and type, job location, employment classification (part‑time or full‑time / exempt or non‑exempt), and years of service. For additional information, please click HERE.
• AEO may also provide discretionary bonuses and other incentives at its discretion.