Assistant Store Manager

Little Words Project; Short Hills (NJ); On-site; USD 52,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Little Words Project in Short Hills, NJ is seeking an energetic Assistant Store Manager to help lead our team on the sales floor and in daily store operations. You will work closely with the Store Manager to drive guest satisfaction, coaching and developing team members, and ensuring brand standards are met.

You’ll be a visible leader, opening and closing the store, monitoring performance, and contributing to events and community activations that boost guest engagement.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of retail leadership or management experience with coaching and development.
• Strong people leadership and ability to motivate a team.
• High-energy, positive, proactive leadership style.
• Strong guest service and communication skills.
• Ability to work weekends and flexible schedule.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Store Manager to lead, motivate, coach, and develop the store team.
• Provide feedback and support to team members while cultivating a positive, high-energy culture.
• Lead by example on the sales floor and deliver an exceptional guest experience.
• Support store sales goals and monitor KPIs to drive results.
• Open and close the store independently and assist daily operations.
• Assist with inventory, merchandising, product launches, and brand standards.
• Resolve guest concerns and employee issues professionally.
• Support in-store events and community activations to boost guest engagement.
• Step in as acting Store Manager when needed.
• Ensure compliance with policies, safety standards, and cash handling.

Skills

Retail leadership

Team coaching

Guest service

Decision making

Independent work

Weekend availability

Job description

We’re looking for a high-energy, hands-on Assistant Store Manager to help lead our Short Hills, NJ store! This role is ideal for someone who loves retail, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is passionate about coaching and developing people.

Working closely with the Store Manager, you’ll help lead the team, drive store performance, and create an exceptional guest experience. You’ll be a visible leader on the sales floor, setting the tone for a positive, energetic, and welcoming environment for both guests and employees.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Store Manager to lead, motivate, coach, and develop the store team.
• Provide feedback and support to team members while helping create a positive, high-energy team culture.
• Lead by example on the sales floor and deliver an exceptional guest experience.
• Support store sales goals and monitor key performance metrics to help drive results.
• Open and close the store independently and support daily store operations.
• Assist with inventory management, merchandising, product launches, and maintaining brand standards.
• Help resolve guest concerns and employee issues in a professional and solutions-oriented manner.
• Support in-store events, bead bar appointments, community activations, and other initiatives that drive guest engagement.
• Step in as the acting Store Manager when needed.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, safety standards, and cash-handling requirements.

Required Qualifications

• 4+ years of retail leadership or management experience with demonstrated experience coaching and developing team members.
• Strong people leadership skills and the ability to motivate a team.
• High-energy, positive, and proactive leadership style.
• Strong guest service and communication skills.
• Comfortable making decisions, solving problems, and taking initiative.
• Ability to work independently while partnering effectively with the Store Manager.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and a flexible schedule based on business needs.
• Passion for kindness, positivity, and creating meaningful connections with guests and team members.

Nice to Have

• Previous Assistant Store Manager or Store Manager experience.
• Proficiency in retail sales metrics and performance management.
• Knowledge of inventory management and visual merchandising.
• Background supporting retail events, community activations, or social media initiatives.
• Familiarity with POS systems and customer relationship management (CRM) tools.

Who You Are

You’re an energetic people leader who loves retail and brings positivity to the sales floor. You enjoy coaching others, creating connections with guests, and jumping in wherever needed to help the team succeed. You know how to balance being supportive with holding people accountable, and you’re excited to help build a strong team and deliver an exceptional Little Words Project experience.

As set forth in Little Words Project’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.