Aerie - Merchandising Team Leader (Assistant Manager)

Job Description 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 always nails floorset execution and rocks merchandising and marketing brand standards. You ensure the store is always "guest ready" through effective replenishment. Most importantly, you represent our company values and bring your real self to work every day. Your Responsibilities You have a passion for driving sales: As a key LOD (Leader on Duty), you are an expert at maximizing fitting room and sales floor productivity, building guest loyalty, and making strategic business decisions through analytical reporting. You contribute to the overall financial success of the store and work with the Store Team Leader to develop short‑and long‑term business plans that drive key KPIs. You coach your team to deliver an outstanding guest experience by ensuring the store always reflects AEO Brand Standards. You lead day‑to‑day merchandising, sell‑through adjustments, and replenishment, keeping the store in tip‑top shape. You motivate and inspire your team through AEO’s core values, hold them accountable to customer service standards on the sales floor and fitting room, and model leadership behaviours. You recruit and hire strong talent, ensuring the store is adequately staffed, and you prioritize training and development to maintain high service levels. You consistently provide ongoing performance feedback, conduct team touch‑bases, create development plans, and celebrate performance through engagement initiatives. You execute and innovate daily operational procedures, support visual standard upkeep throughout the store, and keep fitting rooms always guest‑ready. Integrity guides you: you maintain safety and asset‑protection standards, adhere to AEO policies and procedures, and always do the right thing. You'd Be Great For This Role If You love AE and Aerie products. You have led retail management teams previously. You can multi‑task, pay attention to detail, and excel in priority setting and time management. You understand employment law basics and can develop teams. You have business acumen. You have flexible availability to work during guest shopping hours. Our Associates Love AEO Because Their work environment supports real people and a sense of family. They receive opportunities for development and career advancement. They enjoy a 40% product discount at both AE & Aerie year‑round. They can participate in store contests for chances to win merchandise and prizes. About Us Built on a platform of power, positivity, and authentic body‑image representation, Aerie is a fast‑growing lifestyle brand offering intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections. A&E is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws. The company prohibits discrimination on any protected characteristic and provides reasonable accommodations for religion and disability. For ongoing hiring of Brand Ambassador and Stock positions, applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. For all other store jobs, applicants are accepted until the posted deadline or until the position is filled. Pay/Benefits Information Actual starting pay is determined by experience, location, and other factors. 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. Paid time off, sick leave, and holiday pay vary by job level, location, employment classification (part‑time or full‑time, exempt or non‑exempt), and years of service. For additional information, please click here. AEO may also provide discretionary bonuses and other incentives at its discretion. Job Info Job Identification: 26786 Job Category: Stores Posting Date: 2026-05-19T12:44:13+00:00 Job Schedule: Full time Locations: Gurnee, IL, United States #J-18808-Ljbffr