Assistant Manager - Candy Store

Assistant Candy Store Manager

The Assistant Store Manager supports the Store Manager in overseeing daily retail operations to ensure exceptional customer experience. This role helps foster an efficient, collaborative team environment while maintaining high customer service and operational standards.

In addition to in-store leadership, the Assistant Store Manager serves as a community ambassador, representing the company at local Siouxland events. This role promotes company products within the community and occasionally travels to food shows to source new and unique specialty items for the specialty food department.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Support the Store Manager in all aspects of daily retail operations
• Serve as acting Manager in the Store Manager's absence, assuming responsibility for daily operations, staff oversight, and decision-making as needed.
• Spend at least 50% of each shift on the sales floor to cultivate an inclusive, productive workplace culture.
• Deliver exceptional customer service and act as a brand representative.
• Assist with product purchasing, inventory management, and merchandising.
• Operate registers, stock merchandise, and prepare pickup orders as needed.
• Maintain store appearance, including visual merchandising and overall cleanliness.
• Help manage donation requests and complete special projects as assigned.
• Support Team Member relations, including performance monitoring, coaching, and development.
• Assist with interviewing and selection of candidates, participate in onboarding and training new Team Members.
• Lead, train, and motivate floor Team Members to consistently deliver excellent customer service and maintain a positive, outgoing attitude
• Responsible for setting service expectations, modeling appropriate behaviors, and fostering a customer-focused culture across the team
• Communicate with vendors regarding inventory needs and coordinate stock levels with warehouse and manufacturing teams.
• Support shift and break schedule creation.
• Available for flexible daytime scheduling, including rotating Saturdays and during high-volume seasonal periods (rotating Sundays in December).
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of 3 years of managerial experience in retail sales, preferably in a food or grocery environment; experience with gourmet or specialty foods is highly desirable.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred

• Associate or bachelor's degree in business management or a related field.
• Experience with point-of-sale systems and basic accounting practices.

Skills & Competencies

• Proven ability to motivate, guide, and develop Team Members to achieve store goals.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to implement effective solutions quickly.
• Ability to manage conflict, de-escalate situations, and make fair, policy-aligned decisions.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Work in a fast-paced retail environment with frequent customer interaction and moderate noise levels.
• Regularly handle candy and confectionery products.
• Stand and walk for much of each shift, moving between sales floor and warehouse areas.
• Frequently lift, carry, and stock items weighing up to 3040 pounds.
• Perform cleaning, organizing, and merchandising tasks that require bending, reaching, and kneeling.

This job description is intended to summarize the primary responsibilities and qualifications for this role. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements.