Operations Associate (FAO Schwarz Boutique at Nordstrom)

The Role at a Glance

The Operations Associate makes the magic possible at FAO Schwarz Nordstrom. From the moment product arrives to the moment it lands in a guest's hands, you keep the boutique stocked, organized, and running smoothly. You thrive in the back-of-house but show up just as confidently on the floor. Operating within Nordstrom while representing FAO Schwarz means you hold a dual standard every day, and you take pride in meeting both.

Creating the Magic

As Operations Associate, you will:

• Receive and process shipments accurately and efficiently, following the team's priorities to get the right product to the sales floor quickly.
• Keep the back-of-house clean, organized, and easy to navigate, maintaining a system that lets anyone quickly find and pull the product the floor needs.
• Replenish the floor with pace and precision to keep it consistently full, tidy, and guest-ready.
• Execute visual merchandising standards by placing products according to the planogram and maintaining the presentation that guests and both brands expect.
• Fulfill send sale orders accurately and on time, ensuring every purchase is packed, processed, and dispatched efficiently and up to standard.
• Show up for every guest you encounter on the floor, stopping to help and answer questions, and creating a moment of connection, regardless of what you're working on.
• Support opening and closing routines as needed to help ensure the boutique is operationally ready before guests arrive and properly set at the end of the day.
• Consistently uphold shrink-prevention practices, following loss-prevention processes for both FAO Schwarz and Nordstrom, and escalate anything unusual.
• Flex across operational priorities throughout your shift, adapting to the needs of the moment and supporting the team wherever you're needed.
• Stay curious and coachable by participating in training and seeking ways to continue growing in the role.
• Share what's working with the team by actively contributing ideas, observations, and suggestions that strengthen the operation.

What Success looks like

You're doing well in this role when:

• Guests move through a boutique that feels effortless and leave with no idea how much work went into making it that way.
• The boutique floor is always fully replenished, tidy, and guest-ready -an empty shelf is the exception, not the norm.
• Shipments are processed accurately and on time, ensuring the right product reaches the floor quickly.
• Your back-of-house is clean, organized, and easy for anyone on the team to navigate.
• Send sale orders are packed, processed, and dispatched accurately and on time.
• You stop and engage with every guest you encounter on the floor, regardless of workload.
• Shrink prevention processes are consistently followed without prompting.
• Leadership trusts you to adapt, stay flexible, and follow through on your priorities.
• You actively seek feedback, apply what you learn, and demonstrate visible growth over time.

This role aligns with Level 1 in our Career Framework and provides a strong foundation for progression into Specialist roles (Level 2).


What you'll bring

You don't need to be perfect, just organized, dependable, and genuinely invested in making the boutique run well.

• A strong attention to detail and a natural drive to keep things organized, accurate, and to standard.
• The energy and pace to work in a high-volume environment where priorities shift quickly.
• Comfort working in both the back-of-house and on the floor, with the confidence to engage guests when the moment calls for it.
• A genuine interest in toys, play, and the FAO Schwarz brand.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand, bend, and twist for extended periods.
• Flexibility to work across days, evenings, and weekends.

Retail, hospitality, or operations experience is a plus. Curiosity and attitude mater most.

This job description should not be construed to contain every function/responsibility that may be required to be performed by this role. Employees are required to perform other related functions as assigned.