* Senior Assistant Manager - Kirkland's Home

Kirkland's, Inc.; Orland Park (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plan options

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Bonus eligible

401k plan

Job summary

Kirkland's, Inc. in Orland Park, IL seeks a Senior Assistant Manager to support operations and merchandising in partnership with the Store Manager. You will coach the store team to drive sales, control expenses, and ensure an exceptional customer experience.

This role emphasizes leadership development with a pathway to Store Manager within 12 months, requiring strong communication, team building, and a results‑oriented mindset. Travel to other locations as needed may be involved.

Qualifications

• College preferred or 1-3 years of experience in a retail environment.
• Ability to relocate for a Store Manager position preferred.
• Energetic, results oriented and competitive with a drive to succeed.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively communicate both written and verbally.
• Ability to work 40 hours per week, based upon the business needs of the district or area.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays and evenings.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Ability to handle and transport company funds to the bank location designated by Kirkland’s.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Must be able to ascend/descend a ladder to retrieve and stock products on the shelf or to hang overhead banners/product.
• Frequently positions self to retrieve and stock products in the stock room and sales floor and to place merchandise in bags.
• Must be able to constantly move around the store for prolonged periods to greet and assist customers.
• Must be able to frequently communicate with the customers in person, electronically, and telephonically.
• Must be able to frequently move merchandise that is 50 pounds or more to and from the stock room to sales floor.
• Must be able to operate a Point of Sale system, registers and hand held devices efficiently and accurately.

Responsibilities

• Leads, supports and values Customer Service in both the in store and online shopping experience.
• Greets every customer with enthusiasm, maintains a positive, can do attitude at all times.
• Proactively engages with customers, reads cues and responds appropriately.
• Educates each customer on current promotions and merchandise assortment to support buying decisions.
• Makes suggestions to build the customer’s basket that compliments the customer’s choices.
• Understands and supports a caring, fun, and engaging work environment for the team and great shopping experience for the customers.
• Supports the company’s branding at all times by treating all customers and co-workers in a respectful and professional manner while supporting a common goal.
• Responsible for driving profitable sales, protecting company assets and support of the Company Handbook in support of the Store Manager.
• Understands store performance targets and monitors achievement of benchmarks and goals.
• Uses objective business analysis to evaluate business choices in partnership with the Store Manager.
• Observes trends and patterns to determine root causes of problems and identify solutions.
• Responsible for networking and recruiting within the market to ensure the store has appropriate staffing levels to support the business and responsible for recommending sound hiring decisions to the Store Manager.
• Builds high performing teams that can accomplish company goals, initiatives, and priorities, and builds and sustains productive relationships across the area or district and the industry.
• Supports an atmosphere where all team members are held accountable for both individual and team performance.
• Ensures understanding of strategies, change initiatives, business opportunities and communicates them in compelling ways to their store team.
• Communicates clearly and objectively in ways that build commitment and demonstrate support for company initiatives.
• Supports store opportunities that are consistent with company strategies and takes action to address these opportunities.
• Executes changes in initiatives and direction appropriately and timely in order to drive results.
• Travel occasionally to the other store locations to support as needed.
• Champions and demonstrates a commitment to Kirkland’s Values
• May perform other job duties as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Leadership

Communication

Retail experience

Education

College preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

The Senior Assistant Manager supports and executes all aspects of operations and merchandising for their store in partnership with the Store Manager. The Senior Assistant is responsible for driving business results through the effective coaching of the store team. Areas of focus include sales and profit growth, expense control, promotional and merchandising execution, store management and team development, and exceptional customer experience. This role is intended to support the succession planning efforts and company growth and the expectation is that that the Senior Assistant will be willing, ready and able to assume the role of a Store Manager within a 12 month timeframe should one become available.

What We Offer:

• Eligible for Benefits first of the following month
• Three Health Plan Options, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Health Savings Account
• Paid Time Off- Vacation after 90 days
• Paid Sick time
• Paid Holidays
• Bonus Eligible
• 401k Retirement Savings Plan

Responsibilities

• Leads, supports and values Customer Service in both the in store and online shopping experience.
• Greets every customer with enthusiasm, maintains a positive, can do attitude at all times.
• Proactively engages with customers, reads cues and responds appropriately.
• Educates each customer on current promotions and merchandise assortment to support buying decisions.
• Makes suggestions to build the customer’s basket that compliments the customer’s choices.
• Understands and supports a caring, fun, and engaging work environment for the team and great shopping experience for the customers.
• Supports the company’s branding at all times by treating all customers and co-workers in a respectful and professional manner while supporting a common goal.
• Responsible for driving profitable sales, protecting company assets and support of the Company Handbook in support of the Store Manager.
• Understands store performance targets and monitors achievement of benchmarks and goals.
• Uses objective business analysis to evaluate business choices in partnership with the Store Manager.
• Observes trends and patterns to determine root causes of problems and identify solutions.
• Responsible for networking and recruiting within the market to ensure the store has appropriate staffing levels to support the business and responsible for recommending sound hiring decisions to the Store Manager.
• Builds high performing teams that can accomplish company goals, initiatives, and priorities, and builds and sustains productive relationships across the area or district and the industry.
• Supports an atmosphere where all team members are held accountable for both individual and team performance.
• Ensures understanding of strategies, change initiatives, business opportunities and communicates them in compelling ways to their store team.
• Communicates clearly and objectively in ways that build commitment and demonstrate support for company initiatives.
• Supports store opportunities that are consistent with company strategies and takes action to address these opportunities.
• Executes changes in initiatives and direction appropriately and timely in order to drive results.
• Travel occasionally to the other store locations to support as needed.
• Champions and demonstrates a commitment to Kirkland’s Values
• May perform other job duties as needed.

Qualifications

• College preferred or 1-3 years of experience in a retail environment.
• Ability to relocate for a Store Manager position preferred.
• Energetic, results oriented and competitive with a drive to succeed.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively communicate both written and verbally.
• Ability to work 40 hours per week, based upon the business needs of the district or area.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays and evenings.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Ability to handle and transport company funds to the bank location designated by Kirkland’s. Transportation of company funds will be conducted in a manner that does not place the funds in a vehicle with any non-Kirkland’s employee.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Must be able to ascend/descend a ladder to retrieve and stock products on the shelf or to hang overhead banners/product.
• Frequently positions self to retrieve and stock products in the stock room and sales floor and to place merchandise in bags.
• Must be able to constantly move around the store for prolonged periods to greet and assist customers.
• Must be able to frequently communicate with the customers in person, electronically, and telephonically.
• Must be able to frequently move merchandise that is 50 pounds or more to and from the stock room to sales floor.
• Must be able to operate a Point of Sale system, registers and hand held devices efficiently and accurately.