Aerie - Merchandising Team Leader (Assistant Manager)

AEO; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 45,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company seeks a full-time Merchandising Team Leader to enhance store performance and team excellence in Newark. The ideal candidate will have experience in retail leadership, a passion for AEO products, and strong skills in sales and customer service. Responsibilities include driving sales, maintaining brand standards, and developing team talent while ensuring operational excellence.

Benefits

40% off AE & Aerie products year-round

Opportunities for personal development and skill-building

Participation in contests for merchandise and prizes

Qualifications

• Previous experience leading retail teams.
• Understanding of team leadership and development.
• Strong business acumen.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales by maximizing store productivity and fostering guest loyalty.
• Maintain visual appeal through merchandising and replenishment.
• Recruit and develop team members to ensure outstanding service.

Skills

Multi-tasking

Attention to detail

Prioritization

Time management

Leadership

Customer service

Job description

YOUR ROLE

As the full-time Merchandising Team Leader, you are the Store Team Leader's "go-to" person in developing and implementing the store's Merchandising strategy. Your passion is in training and coaching your team to become excellent merchants who consistently meet AEO brand Visual standards. Through your leadership, your team excels in floorset execution and maintains merchandising and marketing brand standards. You ensure the store is always "guest ready" through effective replenishment. Most importantly, you embody our company values and bring your authentic self to work every day.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Driving sales: As a key Leader on Duty (LOD), you excel at increasing sales by maximizing Fitting Room and Salesfloor productivity and fostering guest loyalty through exceptional guest experiences. You analyze reports and daily trends to make strategic business decisions and assist the Store Team Leader in developing business plans to meet KPIs.
2. Merchandising innovation: You coach your team to deliver an outstanding guest experience by ensuring the store adheres to AEO Brand Standards. You maintain the store’s visual appeal through daily merchandising, sell-through adjustments, and replenishment. You identify merchandising opportunities and proactively develop action plans.
3. People leadership: You motivate and inspire your team by exemplifying AEO's core values. You serve as a role model and hold your team accountable for delivering excellent customer service on the Salesfloor and in the Fitting Room.
4. Talent development: You prioritize recruiting and hiring strong talent to ensure proper staffing. You are committed to training and developing your team to provide outstanding service, fostering their growth and success.
5. Teamwork and engagement: You believe that teamwork is essential. You provide ongoing performance feedback through real-time coaching, conduct team touchbases, create development plans, and celebrate successes to boost engagement.
6. Operational excellence: You support daily operational procedures, maintain visual standards across all zones, and ensure the Fitting Rooms are always guest-ready and aligned with AEO Brand Standards.
7. Integrity: You uphold store safety standards, support Asset Protection policies, adhere to company policies and procedures, and always act ethically.

YOU'D BE GREAT FOR THIS ROLE IF:

• You are passionate about AE and Aerie products.
• You have previous experience leading retail teams.
• You are skilled at multi-tasking, attention to detail, prioritization, and time management.
• You understand team leadership, development, and employment law basics.
• You possess strong business acumen.
• You have flexible availability to work when guests shop.

OUR ASSOCIATES LOVE AEO BECAUSE:

• They work with genuine, real people — that’s your #AEOFamily.
• They have opportunities for personal development, skill-building, and career growth.
• They receive 40% off AE & Aerie products year-round, plus seasonal discounts during Floorsets.
• They can participate in contests to win free merchandise and exclusive prizes.