FAO Schwarz Toy Specialist - Garden State Plaza

Nordstrom; Paramus (NJ); On-site; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Merchandise Discount

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

Nordstrom is hiring a FAO Toy Specialist to blend high-touch retail selling with interactive experiences. You will guide guests through personalized journeys in the Jewel Box and facilitate appointments as experiences evolve throughout the year.

The role requires 1+ year in premium retail or experience-based settings, strong communication, and the ability to engage a diverse audience. A flexible schedule and ability to stay in character are essential to success.

Qualifications

• 1+ year experience in a fast-paced premium retail or experience-based environment.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal ability.
• Ability to perform in front of a large audience or one-on-one to drive sales.
• Experience in a performance, acting, music, or dance background is a plus.
• Familiarity with a premium or experience-based retailer is a plus.
• Engaging, theatrical personality that can captivate an audience in all environments.
• Ability to remain positive and in character for extended periods.
• The ability to work a flexible schedule based on business needs.
• Physical requirements: continuous movement for 6-8 hours per shift, lifting up to 25 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Perform in-house experiences per guidelines with personal flair.
• Embodify characters through costumes, props, scripting, and backstories.
• Engage guests using the FAO selling vision.
• Build authentic connections and manage multiple guests.
• Demonstrate product knowledge and key features to guests.
• Showcase products with confidence to engage customers.
• Assist with stock refilling and other product tasks.
• Maintain store layout and planograms daily.
• Wear provided uniform and keep it clean.

Skills

Customer service

Public speaking

Performance background

Premium retail

Engaging personality

Flexibility

Stamina

Job description

Job Description

The FAO Toy Specialist is a role that blends high‑touch retail selling with dynamic, interactive experience facilitation. This role drives sales by delivering signature FAO experiences and creating magical, memorable moments for guests of all ages.

Toy Specialists bring strong sales instincts, an engaging presence, and the ability to guide guests through personalized journeys. As experts in the Jewel Box, a rotating collection of FAO brand experiences, they are accountable for mastering each experience, booking and facilitating appointments, and adapting quickly as experiences, products, and processes evolve throughout the year.

A day in the life…

• Perform all in-house experiences consistently in line with established guidelines while adding your own individual flair to make each experience feel unique.
• Embody the cast of characters unique to each experience through provided costumes, props, scripting, and character backstories.
• Use the FAO Schwarz selling vision to effectively engage and delight each guest.
• Build authentic connections with guests to build rapport and relationships during their visit, at times handling multiple guests simultaneously.
• Demonstrate product knowledge by introducing key items to guests based on your understanding of their needs.
• Demonstrate products for guests with confidence and enthusiasm, showcasing key features to help customers explore and engage with the assortment.
• Support with stock refilling and other product tasks as needed.
• Maintain good understanding of store layout and local area to be able to effectively and accurately handle guest queries.
• Handle POS transactions, adhering to policies and procedures to accurately process each transaction for the guest.
• Demonstrate an understanding of basic merchandising principles in order to maintain the floor layout and planograms on a daily basis.
• FAO Selling Specialists are required to wear a provided uniform, including a branded shirt and apron, and are responsible for maintaining it in clean, presentable condition.

You own this if you have…

• 1+ year experience in a fast‑paced premium retail or experience‑based environment preferred.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal ability.
• Ability to perform in front of a large audience or one‑on‑one with the purpose of driving sales.
• Experience in a performance, acting, music, or dance background a plus.
• Familiarity with a premium or experience‑based retailer a plus.
• An engaging and theatrical personality that can captivate an audience in all environments.
• Ability to remain positive and in character for extended periods of time without losing any of your magic.
• The ability to work a flexible schedule based on business needs
• Physical Requirements:
• Continuous movement for 6-8 hours per shift, which includes frequent bending, twisting, squatting, flexing and reaching in order to handle merchandise and assist customers.
• Frequent use of hands for grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling
• Handle bulky and sometimes awkwardly shaped items, which includes reaching for and lifting these items above the head.
• Regularly lift items weighing up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds.

Pay Range Details

The pay range(s) below has been provided in compliance with state specific laws. Pay ranges may be different for other locations.

Pay offers are dependent on the location, as well as job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience.

$17.30 - $17.30 Hourly

At Nordstrom, the commission most selling employees receive varies based on the merchandise they sell. Apparel, shoes, and accessories sales typically range from 3% to 14.5%. The commission Beauty and Men’s Fragrance sales roles typically receive is 3%.

We’ve got you covered…

Our employees are our most important asset and that’s reflected in our benefits. Nordstrom is proud to offer a variety of benefits to support employees and their families, including:

Benefits

• Medical/Vision, Dental, Retirement and Paid Time Away
• Life Insurance and Disability
• Merchandise Discount and EAP Resources

This position may be eligible for performance-based incentives/bonuses. Benefits include 401k, medical/vision/dental/life/disability insurance options, PTO accruals, Holidays, and more. Eligibility requirements may apply based on location, job level, classification, and length of employment.

Learn more in the Nordstrom Benefits Overview by copying and pasting the following URL into your browser: https://careers.nordstrom.com/pdfs/Ben_Overview_07-14_Variable_ES-US.pdf

A few more important points...

The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive. There may be additional duties, responsibilities and qualifications for this job.

For Los Angeles or San Francisco applicants: Nordstrom is required to inform you that we conduct background checks after conditional offer and consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with legal requirements per Los Angeles, Cal. Muni. Code 189.04 and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For additional state and location specific notices, please refer to the Legal Notices document within the FAQ section of the Nordstrom Careers site.

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation should contact the nearest Nordstrom location, which can be identified at www.nordstrom.com.

Please be mindful that there may be legal notices and requirements related to this job posting that are specific to your state. Review the Career Site FAQ’s for relevant information and guidelines.

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