Assistant Manager Plato's Closet

Description:
Plato's Closet is all about being fashion savvy and shopping smart. We're part of a nationwide unique recycling retail store specializing in clothes for teens and twenty somethings - we buy and sell the latest looks in clothing and accessories from the hottest brand name designers for girls and guys.

Contribute to the profitability of the retail operation by properly buying, receiving, handling and managing the inventory of merchandise and supplies in a timely and organized manner. Train, certify and re-certify all staff in all areas of buying. Positively impact the customer experience by training and maintaining visual standards, areas of responsibilities and cleaning checklists by keeping the store and back room clean and organized. Promote a high level of customer service and involvement, and continually strive for innovative solutions and alternatives in bettering the business. Assist Store Manager in managing and promoting all aspects of the business, including but not limited to buying, selling, pricing, sales, merchandising, loss prevention, training, and development in their absence.

Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Responsible for the timely flow of merchandise to the sales floor and storage area. Ensure the sales floor is full at all times with the appropriate product. Offsite storage is organized and accounted for.*

2. Oversee the buying, selling, pricing and merchandising of inventory by adhering to merchandising/visual standards, evaluating market demands, adhering to buying plan, managing stock levels, and meeting store purchase goals.*

3. Maintaining merchandise and visual presentation standards on a daily basis. Including the proper usage of all in-store signage components and standards. In-store includes; pop up shop, clearance, most wanted, promotional/sale/event, lifestyle, social/messaging, buying, aisle, shoe, sizer and streeter, *

4. In all aspects of buying administers professional and timely employee training, communication, testing, certification, follow up and audits. Certifies both in store and online training site are completed within standards and timeframes. Includes the use of buy test bins and buying audits on takes & passes, along with recertification and post FOM visit follow up on buying. *


5. Ensures consistent, thorough timely buy communication to subordinates, peers and senior management. Utilizing weekly notes, operations calendar, monthly buy summary, monthly buyer turn rates, AIPW, aged inventory & buyer kiosk reports. *

6. Drive employee standard operating procedure times through professional and continued training, certification and development in all aspects of buying, merchandising and store maintenance/organization. *

7. Monitors and reports immediately necessary maintenance, repair and refueling for offsite storage vehicle and equipment. Ensures users of offsite storage vehicle have current and updated driver licenses in their employee file. *

8. Responsible for ensuring that the store meet or exceed buying metrics through buy training, development & follow up. Plato's Closet standards:
a. Overall Annual Turn Rate over 4.5
b. Turn rates for clothing 4x - 6x.
c. Turn rates for accessories 6x - 9x.
d. Gross Margin Awareness
e. Aged Inventory *

9. Report any discrepancies, theft, or suspected theft by employees or customers to the appropriate parties immediately. *

10. Consistent and timely procedures in the praise and disciplining of employees in the areas of buying, merchandising & store maintenance in both verbal and written formats. *

11. In charge of donate buy calls & disposal, missing tags and damages. Damages must have notes attached with buyer & issue. These tasks to be done twice a month. *

12. Accurately track and document new and used inventories, utilizing inventory tools. Load and unload product from store, offsite storage and company vehicle. Drive company vehicle for removal and retrieval of product to offsite storage. Maintain a high level of back room/off-site organization so that items may be easily located. Organize, prepare and conduct for store periodic inventory audits and annual counts. *

13. Prepare and participate in the planning and execution of seasonal merchandising changes, floor transitions and events (sale or other) according to standards and expectations. *

14. Maintains adequate stock of store supplies. Completes or delegates ordering of supplies while ensuring and accurate submission. Stage and receive all incoming shipments, verifying all deliveries for accuracy. Maintain accurate records of purchase orders, damaged items and delivery over/shortages. *

15. Responsible to perform and supervise housekeeping duties. These duties include but are not limited to: cleaning and straightening of the sales floor and production areas by sweeping, mopping, washing and/or dusting as needed. *

16. Support and execute all merchandise buys as determined beneficial. Manage all customer buys to insure we can maintain profitability standards in reselling these products. *

17. Become familiar with product merchandise and brand names. Buy used and safe products according to the Children's Safety Product Commission guidelines, reinforcing the customers' purchases and sales to the store. *

18. Complete and conduct employee evaluations regarding buying stats and skills. Quarterly basis and yearly performance.*

19. Oversees all store operations and instructs store staff regarding job responsibilities both when Store Manager is not present. *

20. Provides excellent customer service by greeting customers immediately, determining their needs, and handling all transactions in a professional and enthusiastic manner. Invite customer to return to the store to buy, sell, or trade and promote image of store concept *

21. Functions as role model to staff by promoting and modeling superior customer service to all customers, performing all store functions as necessary, demonstrating good work habits, encouraging clean and safe work habits and promoting positive attitudes towards customers. Insures that all store associates understand and support the pursuit of superior service. *

22. Must check email and complete daily tasks assigned. *

23. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Manages a total of 2+ employees in a retail store. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training employees in all buying aspects; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising buy, merchandising and store maintenance/organization performance; rewarding and disciplining employees in the areas of buying, merchandising & store maintenance; addressing complaints and resolving problems when store manager is not present. Is responsible for assisting with the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of individual store.


Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Must have full availability and work occasional mandatory overtime. One year retail management experience required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Ability:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Math Ability:
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide and calculate percent. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages and discounts.

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral or schedule form. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have basic PC skills and must be able to learn to operate a POS system and online corporate programs.

Education/Experience:
High school diploma or general education degree (GED) is required. One year prior retail management experience or 3-4 years prior retail sales experience preferred with strong leadership skills exhibited. Must successfully complete LEADS certification.

Requirements:
Successful completion of LEADS certification. 32-40 hours a week are mandatory of the year. Working 5 days a week, three Saturdays and/or Sundays a month and two evenings a per week are required. Must be willing relocate to any store in our district. District is comprised of Schaumburg and two stores in Harwood Heights. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed. Must possess valid Driver's License to drive a company vehicle.

Equipment:
Must be able to use and fully maintain the following equipment:
• POS System
• Cash Register
• Vacuum
• Ticketing Gun
• Shrink Wrapper
• Buyer Kiosk
• Surveillance System
• Computer Programs

Knowledge, Skills and Other Abilities:
• Excellent management skills
• Strategic planning skills
• Must have valid driver's license and proof of automobile insurance.
• Ability to work well with all team members
• Critical thinking skills
• Problem solving skills
• Verbal communications skills
• Written communication skills
• Customer service
• Interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multi-task and adapt to changes quickly
• Organizational skills
• Follow-up skills
• Planning skills
• Attention to detail important
• Able to work independently with little direction
• Strong Leadership skills
• Ability to motivate team members
• Ability to facilitate team member interaction
• Professionalism
• Ability to clearly communicate
• Delegation skills
• High energy level; enthusiastic
• Accountability to self and staff
• Time management skills


Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands; reach with hands and arms; climb (i.e ladder) or balance, talk, hear and smell. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to see color and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in high, precarious places (i.e. ladders). The noise level in the work environment is usually loud - a typical retail store environment with background music playing, children yelling, etc.

Job Title: Assistant Manager
Reports To: Store Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Status: Full Time - Hourly

*Essential Function

Additional Info:
Compensation is competitive and based on experience and credentials. We offer an unconventional retail structure to support your entrepreneurial spirit. A fun and funky store atmosphere were individualism is encouraged. Health insurance, paid holidays, sick time, vacation, merchandise discount for our companies - Plato's Closet and Once Upon A Child locations and sales & labor performance bonus opportunities. Off premises manager training and development to continue building your skill set. Staff bonuses and contests to increase morale and assist you with store performance.