Assistant Store Manager

Position Summary The Assistant Store Manager plays a key leadership role in supporting the daily operations of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory's corporate retail store. This position partners with the Store Manager to deliver exceptional customer experiences, drive sales performance, maintain operational excellence, and develop a high-performing team. This role is responsible for overseeing day‑to‑day store operations, supporting employee recruitment and development, ensuring compliance with company policies and food safety standards, maintaining inventory and merchandising, and contributing to the achievement of sales and profitability goals. This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone who values customer service, teamwork, accountability, operational excellence, and developing others. The Assistant Store Manager leads by example, creating an engaging shopping experience while fostering a positive, respectful, and results‑oriented work environment. Key Responsibilities Customer Experience Deliver exceptional customer service by creating a welcoming, engaging, and memorable shopping experience. Resolve customer questions and concerns professionally and promptly. Promote product knowledge through sampling, demonstrations, and personalized recommendations. Foster customer loyalty and repeat business. Store Operations Support daily retail operations to ensure efficient and effective store performance. Maintain store cleanliness, organization, merchandising, and visual presentation standards. Ensure products are properly stocked, rotated, and displayed. Assist with inventory counts, ordering, receiving, and inventory accuracy. Operate and troubleshoot the point‑of‑sale (POS) system as needed. Sales & Business Performance Support achievement of sales goals, profitability targets, and key performance indicators. Identify opportunities to increase sales through merchandising, promotions, sampling, and community partnerships. Collaborate with Marketing and Corporate teams on promotional initiatives. Assist in developing local business and corporate sales opportunities. Leadership & Team Development Assist with recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and training new team members. Coach employees to improve performance, customer service, and product knowledge. Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable team culture. Support scheduling, timekeeping, and daily workforce planning. Provide leadership in the absence of the Store Manager including scheduling, approving timekeeping records, and keeping in accordance with company and regulatory standards. Safety & Compliance Promote a safe working environment by ensuring compliance with OSHA, FDA, company, and local health regulations. Enforce food safety, sanitation, cash handling, and operational procedures. Ensure compliance with Company policies, loss prevention practices, and quality standards. Administrative & Financial Support Assist with payroll preparation, timekeeping review, and employee documentation. Prepare bank deposits and maintain accurate cash handling procedures. Maintain operational records and reports as required. Support special projects and other operational initiatives as assigned. Qualifications Education, Experience & Skills High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework in business, hospitality, retail management, or a related field is preferred. Minimum three years of retail, restaurant, hospitality, or customer service leadership experience. Demonstrated leadership and team development skills. Strong customer service and relationship‑building abilities. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong organizational, time management, and problem‑solving skills (including being proactive in preventing them). Must be able to manage several employees effectively. Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast‑paced environment. Experience with point‑of‑sale (POS) systems, cash handling, and bank deposits. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and basic computer applications. Ability to analyze sales trends and make sound operational decisions. Strong attention to detail and commitment to operational excellence. Ability to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, some holidays, and be willing to respond to urgent store matters. Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment. Preferred Qualifications Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business, Retail Management, Hospitality, or a related field. Experience managing inventory, merchandising, and visual presentation. Experience recruiting, interviewing, and developing employees. Food Handler or Food Safety certification. Experience working in specialty retail, food service, confectionery, or hospitality environments. Experience using workforce scheduling or payroll systems. Physical Environment Work is performed primarily in a fast‑paced retail environment with frequent customer interaction. Regularly required to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift including behind customer counters, around cooking tables and in the stock room. Frequent bending, reaching away from the body and above the waist level, kneeling, stooping, and lifting merchandise. Ability to lift up to 25 pounds frequently, occasionally lift up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation. Frequent use of a point‑of‑sale system, computer, telephone, and office equipment. Ability to safely use confectionery equipment, kitchen utensils, cleaning equipment, and other retail tools. Exposure to food products that may contain milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts. Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. #J-18808-Ljbffr