AE - Merchandising Team Leader (Assistant Manager)

Overview YOUR ROLE: As the full-time Merchandising Team Leader, you are the Store Team Leader's "go-to" in developing and implementing the Merchandising strategy for the store. Your passion lies in training and coaching your team into great merchants delivering AEO brand Visual standards every day. Through your leadership, your team nails floorset execution and upholds merchandising and marketing brand standards. You ensure the store is always "guest ready" through effective replenishment. You represent our company values and bring your REAL self to work every day. Your Role : You are the Store Team Leader's partner in driving merchandising success, guest experience, and brand standards across the store. Responsibilities You have a passion for driving sales: As a key Leader on Duty (LOD), you drive sales by maximizing fitting room and salesfloor productivity and building guest loyalty through a best-in-class guest experience. You analyze reporting and daily trends to make strategic business decisions and help develop short and long-term plans to drive key KPIs. Merchandising innovator: You coach your team to deliver an outstanding guest experience and ensure the store reflects AEO Brand Standards. You lead day-to-day merchandising, sell-through adjustments, and replenishment, and you identify opportunities with actionable game plans. People leadership: You motivate and inspire your team through AEO’s core values. You model leadership and hold the team accountable to high customer service standards on the Salesfloor and in the Fitting Room. Talent development: You recruit and hire strong talent, train and develop the team to sustain outstanding service at a high level. Teamwork and coaching: You provide ongoing feedback through real-time coaching, conduct team touchbases, development plans, and performance reviews, and drive associate engagement by celebrating performance. Operational innovator: You execute and improve daily procedures, maintain visual standards throughout the store, and ensure the Fitting Rooms are guest-ready and aligned with AEO Brand Standards. Integrity and safety: You ensure store safety standards are maintained, adhere to Asset Protection standards and company policies, and always do the right thing. You’d Be Great For This Role If You love AE and Aerie products. You have retail management leadership experience. You can multi-task with strong attention to detail; you excel at prioritizing and time management. You know how to lead and develop teams with a general understanding of employment law. You have business acumen. You have flexible availability to work when guests shop. Our Associates Love AEO Because They work with REAL people and are part of the #AEOFamily. They have development opportunities, learn new skills, and potential for career advancement. They receive 40% off product at both AE & Aerie year-round (plus seasonal discounts with new Floorsets). They can participate in store contests for a chance to win free merchandise and other prizes. About Us American Eagle is a leading American jeans and apparel brand, the go-to destination for casual style, embraced by generations of youth since 1977. We are rooted in authenticity, powered by positivity and inspired by our community. Our collections are designed to inspire self-expression and empower our customers to celebrate their own uniqueness. We have broadened our leadership by producing innovative, sustainable fabrics. AEO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws. AEO prohibits discrimination against associates and applicants for employment because of protected characteristics. This applies to all AEO activities, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, assignment, training, promotion, performance evaluation, discipline and discharge. AEO also provides reasonable accommodation of religion and disability in accordance with applicable law. For Brand Ambassador and Stock positions, hiring will be based on need. For all other store jobs, applications will be accepted until the Apply Before date (if applicable), but may be extended based on applicant volume. Pay/Benefits Information Actual starting pay is determined by factors including relevant experience and location. Eligible associates may receive health care benefits, wellness benefits, 401(k) retirement benefits, life and disability insurance, employee stock purchase program, paid time off, paid sick leave, and parental leave and benefits. Paid Time Off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay vary by job level, location, classification, and years of service. AEO may provide discretionary bonuses and other incentives. Job Info Job Identification: 23257 Job Category: Stores Posting Date: 2026-01-28T14:48:28+00:00 Job Schedule: Full time Locations: Sandusky, OH, United States #J-18808-Ljbffr