Assistant Store Manager

Job Title: Assistant Store Manager – New Store Opening Company: DIFF Eyewear Location: King Street, Charleston, South Carolina Position Overview Reporting to the Retail Store Manager, the Assistant Store Manager plays a critical leadership role in launching and operating a new DIFF Eyewear retail location. This individual is responsible for driving sales performance while supporting daily store operations, inventory management, visual merchandising, marketing initiatives, and community engagement. The Assistant Store Manager spends approximately 75% of their time on the sales floor, actively coaching, training, and developing the team in sales, customer service, and product knowledge through the DIFF brand vision. As a key leader during store opening, this role helps establish strong operational standards, a high-performance culture, and an elevated customer experience from day one. Essential Functions & Responsibilities Operations Support all new store opening activities including setup, systems training, merchandising, and team onboarding. Perform opening and closing duties while ensuring all store assets are secured. Consistently adhere to operational policies and procedures set by headquarters. Ensure the team is properly utilizing in-store technology including Shopify POS and other retail systems. Maintain a clean, organized, and on-brand store environment at all times. Inventory Management Ensure accurate processing of all POS transactions including sales, returns, and exchanges. Support inbound and outbound shipment processing. Partner with the Store Manager and HQ Store Operations team to maintain appropriate inventory levels based on traffic and sales trends. Assist with inventory counts and audits as required. Visual Merchandising Execute visual merchandising direction provided by HQ for new store launch and ongoing seasonal updates. Maintain strong awareness of stock levels in both front-of-house and back-of-house. Ensure merchandising standards are consistently met and product displays are visually compelling. Communicate assortment needs, trends, and feedback to HQ. Sales & Profitability Serve as a sales leader on the floor, especially during high-volume days such as weekends, holidays, and promotional periods. Train and coach staff on sales performance, KPIs, product launches, and promotions. Review weekly schedules to ensure staffing aligns with projected traffic and sales trends. Assist in auditing cash handling and reviewing discount usage to protect profitability. Customer Experience Lead by example in delivering exceptional customer service and product education. Train the team to provide a premium, personalized shopping experience for every customer. Empower staff to confidently resolve customer concerns using sound judgment. Drive a culture focused on exceeding guest expectations and building long-term brand loyalty. Leadership & Team Development Partner closely with the Store Manager to ensure alignment, accountability, and strong communication. Direct and support the daily work of sales associates and key holders. Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and development support. Step in as Manager on Duty in the Store Manager’s absence. Contribute recommendations related to hiring, scheduling, and performance management. Community Outreach & Marketing Support grand opening events and local marketing initiatives. Partner with HQ and the Store Manager to build strong local brand awareness. Drive community engagement through in-store events and partnerships. Represent DIFF Eyewear in the local market to ensure the store becomes a go-to destination. Skills & Qualifications Previous supervisory experience, preferably within a customer-focused retail environment. Strong passion for team development and coaching. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize effectively. Hands-on experience with POS and retail systems. Strong understanding of elevated customer experience standards. Detail-oriented with a proactive and solution-focused mindset. Positive, energetic presence with the ability to motivate a team during high-volume periods. Flexible availability including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by the business. Optician Technician Certification a HUGE plus Benefits Competitive Pay Health Insurance Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Employee Discounts Fun and collaborative work environment And more Disclaimer The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Employees may be required to perform additional job-related duties as requested by their supervisor in compliance with federal and state laws. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Continued employment remains on an at-will basis.