Assistant in Training

The Buckle, Inc.; Gurnee (IL); On-site; USD 23,419 - 27,552; Full time

Job summary

The Buckle, Inc. is seeking an Assistant in Training and Assistant Manager to uphold our mission of creating the most enjoyable shopping experience for guests. The role blends sales, merchandising, and operational duties, with leadership responsibilities in the absence of the Store Manager.

You will train teammates, recruit new staff, manage daily store operations, and drive sales while maintaining brand standards and guest service excellence across all areas.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• 1–3 months of retail experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests and provide legendary service.
• Lead by example in sales and customer service, including store operations.
• Coach and develop new teammates; assist in store leadership in the manager's absence.
• Meet or exceed personal and store sales goals while maintaining product knowledge.
• Assist in recruiting and onboarding of staff and plan education focus with the store manager.

Skills

Guest service

Leadership

Team training

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Summary

The Assistant in Training (AIT) and Assistant Manager position’s primary responsibility is to fulfill our mission statement, “to create the most enjoyable shopping experience possible for our Guests.” Additionally, AIT and Assistant Managers perform a variety of sales, merchandising and operational tasks assigned by store management (e.g. cashiering, merchandise display and pulls, register procedures, and routine cleaning of facilities). Work directly with the Store Manager and Leadership Team to develop sales, recruit new teammates and provide leadership. The AIT and Assistant Manager will also share responsibility for training and motivating teammates and act as the Store Manager in their absence. The Assistant Manager position is a progression from the AIT position and therefore includes additional high‑level duties specific to that role, though the majority of job duties and responsibilities are shared.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay range: $17-$20/hr. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job‑related reasons. For sales positions, Buckle pays a base rate plus commission on sales. The range listed is the estimated base rate plus commission for teammates in this position.

Full‑time teammate benefits: Health, dental and vision coverage; virtual care; mental health resources; 401(k) with company match; Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Accounts; performance bonuses; teammate discount (40% off Buckle products and 25% off gift cards).

Part‑time teammate benefits: Teammate discount; medical plan access; 401(k) with company match; mental health resources; paid leave in applicable states.

Time off: Vacation time is earned on a progressive schedule based on role and years of service, starting at 80 or 120 hours and prorated for the first partial year. Teammates earn 40 hours of sick time per year (or more where required by law). Additional benefits include life, disability, bereavement leave, and supplemental insurance options.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Sales Generation and Guest Service

• Greet guests with a friendly, engaging attitude and provide legendary service.
• Eager and assertive to answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
• Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on guest needs.
• Anticipate and fulfill guests’ needs by suggesting additional items and creating a wardrobe experience.
• Demonstrate product utilizing product knowledge and sales education.
• Maintain and share knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
• Look for opportunities to impact teammates’ presentations with the Sales Presentation Guide (SPG).
• Achieve personal sales‑per‑hour, average sales and total net sales goals set by store management.
• Provide legendary service throughout the store in front 5, sales floor, fitting rooms, and register areas.
• Know all exchange and return procedures for guests.
• Fill out and use the SPG daily to accomplish goals.
• Meet or exceed performance standards in Buckle business builders and guest loyalty.
• Investigate and navigate how to expand guest selection through inventory manager, advanced product search, and iPad apps.
• 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 to managers and teammates.
• Coachable; consistently welcome feedback from manager to improve sales presentations.
• Perform leadership actions and maintain high standards, whether or not the manager is present.
• Plan sales goals with the store manager.
• Own the 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

• Consistently recognize recruiting opportunities using job cards, email referrals and teammate recommendations.
• 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 standards.
• Maintain a positive floor culture and demonstrate personal dress code.
• Participate effectively in daily setup, training, impact and review using the performance tracker.
• Motivate teammates to complete daily tasks set by store management.
• Show passion for denim showmanship and fit cards.
• Develop results and balance department actions.
• Execute department calendar actions and track on the weekly delegation worksheet.
• Demonstrate leadership actions during segments.
• Keep guests engaged with product and maintain guest name recall.
• Show merchandise on both gals’ and guys’ sides to help teammates and guests.
• Partner with store manager to select education focus and delegate weekly.
• Help execute segments to support business goals.
• Assist store manager in recruiting all staffing needs.
• Explain pay and Buckle benefits.
• Update contact list and add top talent.
• Train on the leadership playbook and maintain accountability.
• Coach on all non‑sales positions.
• Execute actions for changing sales focuses.
• Identify and follow through on all teammate training needs.

Visual Merchandise Management

• Own and influence product through zone ownership and assign tasks with learning goals.
• Demonstrate new tools and videos for zone ownership and answer questions.
• Delegate, demonstrate and review the four visual zones with the store manager.
• Ensure teammates follow visual standards and checklists.
• Recognize merchandising opportunities and recommend solutions.
• Provide store tours.
• Maintain consistent sales floor sizing and freight display.
• Improve performance via the performance tracker.
• Anticipate changes and independently improve visual results.
• Maintain visual standards on floor and in backroom.

Operations

• Work a flexible schedule, including holidays and weekends.
• Utilize planner for opening and closing checklists.
• Recognize security risks and prevent theft.
• Follow loss‑prevention guidelines.
• Execute point of sale procedures.
• Handle calls from corporate office.
• Maintain a positive attitude in challenging situations.
• Execute policies for payments, returns, exchanges and loss prevention.
• Navigate tools on the home page.
• Provide guidance to all non‑sales positions.
• Complete and cover scheduled shifts.
• Maintain a clean, organized store.
• Provide feedback to management on merchandise concerns.
• Report policy violations and teammate or guest concerns confidentially.
• Understand and apply Buckle’s code of ethics and policies.
• Complete all assigned duties, including new hire paperwork and planning.
• Manage opening/closing checklists and inventory tasks.
• Handle emergencies and follow company guidelines.

Supervisory and Leadership

• Receive and give feedback from peers and management.
• Support leadership and promote growth.
• Maintain professional relationships with teammates.
• Conduct interviews as needed for team development.
• Overcome objections and problem‑solve.
• Self‑educate on company tools.
• Administer Buckle commitment to success.
• Travel and cover other stores within the district as required.
• Handle scheduling changes professionally.
• Deliver on the mission statement with high customer service.
• Manage special projects and other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Assist the store manager in supervising.

Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months of related retail experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Demands

The position requires regular standing, walking, reaching, climbing, stooping, kneeling and lifting up to 50 lbs. Requires good vision, both near and far, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

Work in a retail store setting with moderate noise levels.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Buckle is committed to hiring and developing the most qualified teammates from the available workforce in the communities we serve. Equal employment opportunity is a fundamental principle. Employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination or retaliation on the basis of veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, color, national origin or ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, disability or any other protected characteristic.