Assistant Store Manager

Barnes & Noble; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Assistant Store Manager who thrives in a vibrant bookstore environment. This role involves leading a team to deliver exceptional customer service, fostering a love for books, and driving sales through effective coaching and engagement. You will work closely with your team to create a welcoming atmosphere, ensuring that every customer has a delightful shopping experience. If you have a passion for books and a knack for team development, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Strong bookselling knowledge and understanding of the book industry.
• Experience managing and developing employees at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Ensure consistent, friendly, and informed service to customers.
• Develop the bookselling team through engagement and coaching.
• Achieve sales goals and deliver operational excellence.

Skills

Bookselling Knowledge

Customer Service

Team Development

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Job description

Job Description: Assistant Store Manager (ASM)

As an assistant store manager (ASM), you enjoy working with people, are energized by your passion for books, and model excellent service every day. You serve as the deputy to the store manager (SM), focusing on the store's appearance and consistent presentation. Empowered to make decisions, you ensure the shopping experience meets customer satisfaction. You communicate regularly with your SM to share ideas and drive this experience through our booksellers, actively participating in their development. Your role involves ensuring sales and profit by leveraging resources effectively, resulting in booksellers who provide first-class service. As a leader, you collaborate with the team to create an engaging store environment where booksellers love talking about and selling books.

What You Do

1. Ensure consistent, friendly, and informed service to customers by setting an example and training the team.
2. Create a vibrant bookstore through flawless execution of store basics.
3. Assess the store from the customer’s perspective and use insights to suggest improvements with the SM.
4. Model handselling skills to promote successful campaigns like Our Monthly Picks, preorders, etc., to boost sales.
5. Develop the bookselling team through engagement and coaching, providing feedback and identifying talent for development.
6. Achieve sales goals and deliver operational excellence to maximize efficiency and minimize loss.
7. Ensure compliance with company standards related to safety, customer communication, and store operations.
8. Communicate respectfully and urgently with your team on key issues, fostering a values-driven culture.
9. Embrace the cluster structure and collaborate across locations for mutual improvement.
10. Work on the sales floor, which involves physical activity such as standing, bending, lifting, and climbing.
11. Open and close the store, ensuring safety for employees and customers.

Knowledge & Experience

• Strong bookselling knowledge across genres and a solid understanding of the book industry.
• Enthusiasm for books, reflected in high service standards for the community.
• Experience managing and developing employees at all levels.
• Excellent organization, planning, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to delegate effectively and work through others.
• Effective and comfortable communication skills.
• Experience building collaborative relationships at all levels.
• Ability to deliver honest and constructive feedback.

Expected Behaviors

• Prioritize the customer experience above all else.
• Commit to and develop booksellers.
• Execute bookstore basics flawlessly.
• Drive results through thoughtful development.
• Provide feedback, coaching, and development.
• Empathize with and understand people.
• Demonstrate collaboration and adapt style to meet individual needs.
• Provide clear direction, monitor progress, and give appropriate feedback.
• Understand key financial indicators and make decisions to drive positive results.
• Solve problems through good decision-making, including in ambiguous situations.
• Focus on continuous improvement through efficient processes.
• Motivate the team through engagement, dialogue, and feedback.
• Be open to feedback, reflect, and develop.
• Show adaptability and work with urgency.

Barnes & Noble, Inc., is an American bookseller.