Company Overview
Kipling, founded in 1987, is a leading European lifestyle brand with design-driven products sold in more than 80 countries worldwide. The product line includes handbags, luggage, backpacks, and accessories.
Organized in 1899, VF Corporation is a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories, with global iconic brands, 64,000 associates and $12.4 billion in revenue. Our businesses and brands are organized into four categories called coalitions, comprising: Outdoor & Action Sports, Jeanswear, Imagewear, and Sportswear. While VF is highly diversified across brands, products, distribution channels and geographies, our One VF culture and approach to doing business provide a unique and powerful competitive advantage.
VF Diversity Vision Statement
VF is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all our associates, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business. The continued success and growth of VF is enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity throughout VF around the world. VF is an equal employment opportunity/ affirmative action employer of minorities, females, protected veterans and the disabled. VF is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, and treating our VF associates and VF applicants without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, HIV/AIDS status, or any other legally protected factor.
About the Position
As the Assistant Store Manager, you will provide leadership and direction to the store staff and successfully execute company visions and values under the direction of the Store Manager. You will assist in maintaining optimal staffing levels, recruiting, hiring, educating, and motivating a team of brand advocates who in turn inspire the customer. Additionally, you are responsible for setting the example for customer engagement that exceeds standards. You will impact the business by maximizing store profitability by assisting in controlling expenses, protecting company assets, and by ensuring that store standards and processes for customer care, merchandising, operations, sustainability, and community participation are consistent and well-executed. In the Store Manager's absence, the Assistant Store Manager takes on the responsibilities of the Manager.
The position requires someone who is personable, energetic, highly organized, and hard working. This individual must have a passion for the retail industry and should enjoy working with a team.
How You Will Make a Difference
- Sales and Profitability: Maximize store sales and achieve store sales goals. Measure and monitor sales progress and results against key targets. Lead an environment of productivity by ensuring store staff has the knowledge and skills to meet store goals for sales and customer engagement. Assist in managing labor and payroll expenses to maximize sales and profitability.
- Brand Experience/Customer Service: Ensure excellence in customer service in the store by modeling brand-specific service standards as well as monitoring customer feedback and responding to and addressing all customer concerns quickly. Ensure that the store team is engaging with each customer to create an authentic brand experience. Lead and inspire customer-centric culture by recognizing and rewarding teams’ successes in partnership with the Store Manager. Assist the Store Manager in ensuring that store team is an active brand ambassador within the community through proactively seeking opportunities to engage with the customers and support or participate in community initiatives outside the four walls of the store. Support store marketing events and grows relationships in the community to generate brand awareness and drive traffic.
- Training and Coaching Team: Provide coaching to the store team in the core areas of customer service and engagement, brand identity, product knowledge, and operations. Monitor, evaluate, and execute training programs in partnership with the Store Manager. Assist in organizing and leading store staff meetings in accordance with brand expectations. Ensurs store team receives relevant and timely information, coaching, and feedback that enables their success and growth. Partner with Store Manager to assist in setting performance goals for the team and their personal skills development.
- Operations: Ensure that all company and store policies and procedures are followed, and the store meets all store audit requirements. Assist in creating and managing store schedules to ensure they support the needs of the business within the allotted labor allowance.
- Visual Merchandising: Ensure the visual merchandising standards for the store are met. Implement floorsets and merchandising directives in partnership with the Store Manager. Communicate with Store Manager regarding merchandise assortment, trends, and needs. Responsible for ensuring that the store’s inventory integrity is maintained through proper shipping and receiving procedures and by communicating concerns directly to the Store Manager as needed.
- Human Resource Management: Assist in attracting, recruiting, and hiring high caliber talent. Actively participate in succession planning with the Store Manager for open positions within the store. Assist in managing and coaching a high-performing team of customer focused Associates. Under the direction of the Store Manager, address performance issues and administer progressive discipline when appropriate. Ensure on-going specific and immediate feedback is provided to the team. Assist in ensuring compliance with employee record keeping policies and procedures. Maintain the Open Door Policy.
- Loss Prevention, Safety, and Compliance: Ensure compliance and adherence to policies and procedures, standards and practices, and company directives. Protect company assets. Ensure compliance with company safety, security, and shrink avoidance policies and programs. Partner with Store Manager to identify trends and translate strategies into action to meet district and company shrink goals. React quickly to all customer and employee injuries and partners with Store Manager, District Manager, and Human Resources immediately.
- Professional Conduct: Model behavior that respects the background, experience, and cultural differences of others while upholding the integrity and values of the VF Corporation and the brand. Promote an environment that encourages participation, creativity, and learning by sharing best practices and building on the ideas.
Skills for Success
- Years of Related Professional Management Experience: 3+ years
Educational/ Position Requirements
- Associate Degree (AA) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school preferred but not required; or, two years related retail or service-oriented experience and/or training; or, equivalent combination of education and experience
- 2+ years in a fast-paced retail environment
- Proven ability to meet and exceed sales and profit results
- Proven ability to meet business goals by driving results through store team
- Available during peak times, including: nights, weekends, and holidays.
Special Physical and/or Mental Requirements
- Operate office equipment and technology (i.e., computers, phones, fax, copier, etc.)
- Standing required for entire work shift
- Bend, lift, open, and move product up to 50 pounds as needed
- Travel (less than 10% of time)
Core Competencies
- Adaptability
- Building Trust
- Coaching and Developing Others
- Communication
- Customer Focus
- Driving for Results
- Empowerment