Assistant Manager jobs

What responsibilities are assigned to an assistant manager?

An assistant manager works under the supervision of a store manager to help in the execution of managing responsibilities and to cover for that manager when necessary. This involves interacting with clients, employing new staff members, providing them with training, managing them, and carrying out any other directions issued by the management. It's possible that this individual is in charge of developing shift schedules and conducting performance reviews of workers. Due to the fact that this is also a function in which the assistant manager interacts directly with consumers, he or she may be responsible for assisting customers by offering refunds or swaps and assuring overall satisfaction. Additional tasks include the following:

Making certain that all staff members are delivering excellent service to customers

Keeping the shop clean, ensuring sure it is well-organized, and stocking it with the appropriate items are all your responsibilities.

Controlling and monitoring the distribution of duties among associate-level staff members

Keeping track of inventory while also collaborating with the accounting team and performing loss prevention duties

Average Salary 

The geographic location of the assistant manager as well as their degree of expertise might have some effect on the salary that they get.

The average hourly wage in the United States is $12.61.

There is a variety of pay that may run anywhere from $7.25 to $23.40 per hour.

Assistant manager requirements

To be eligible for a job as an assistant manager, candidates need to fulfill a number of prerequisites, including the following:

Education

A high school graduation or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) is required for consideration for this job. Consider earning an associate's or bachelor's degree in business or a discipline that is closely related to increase your chances of being promoted to a store management job more quickly. It is possible for college graduates to replace their bachelor's degree for some amount of job experience.

Training

When employing new employees, retail businesses often provide training for assistant managers, however the nature of the training and how long it lasts might vary based on the individual and the duties associated with the job. Some employers may provide new recruits with fundamental training and direction during the on-the-job learning phase of their employment, while other workers may urge new hires to report for required training that lasts for many days. In some college programs, students have the opportunity to participate in management training courses, which are popular with bigger merchants. It's possible that some companies may need further training on product expertise, but that would depend on the goods that the retail shop carries in its inventory.

Certifications

Even while certificates are not essential to hold the position of assistant manager in a retail department, earning some certifications might enhance your performance while you are working and make you a more desirable candidate for promotions. They are as follows:

Fundamentals of Retailing in Retailing Credential

This 10-lesson program is geared for entry-level retail employment and is offered by the National Retail Federation (NRF). The curriculum will help you understand the business of retail, including sales and merchandising, as well as customer service.

Certification in Customer Service and Sales Practices

This NRF Foundation certification is intended to assist retail sales and service workers in acquiring knowledge and abilities pertinent to the job they conduct directly with customers in their respective workplaces.

Superior Performance in Both Sales and Service to Customers

This certification is made available by the National Retail Federation Foundation and is intended for retail employees who are interested in expanding their abilities in retail, sales, and customer service.

Retail Management Certificate

This is a prestigious college program that is well-known throughout the country and was designed by professionals in the retail business to train current retail workers for management roles. The program may be found in universities all around the United States.

Skills

Assistant managers may be successful in their jobs if they possess a variety of abilities. They are as follows:

Abilities in communication

This encompasses not just verbal but also nonverbal communication as well as attentive listening. To be able to reply to a client's requirements or inquiries in the most suitable manner, an assistant manager has to be able to actively listen to the customer. In order to properly train staff, allocate duties, and handle issues, they need to communicate effectively with those employees. It is also essential to be able to read consumers' non-verbal signals, especially while speaking with them. The assistant manager has to be able to interpret the customer's facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice in order to adapt the message and communication style appropriately.

Leadership skills

Managing staff is a significant part of this position's responsibilities. You will be responsible for addressing general concerns, making adjustments to staff schedules, delegating duties, and monitoring employee performance. The individuals who report to assistant managers are expected to follow the example set by the assistant managers themselves, since they are leaders.

Interpersonal skills

Cooperation, empathy, emotional management, impulse control, and social initiation are some of the talents that fall under this category. Because they are in a position of authority, assistant managers have the responsibility to model and promote initiative among their peers. They need to be able to cooperate with one another and have good social skills in order to function well as a team. They also need the ability to empathize with people of their team in order to be a caring leader.

Problem-solving skills

The ability to acquire information, assess the circumstance, interpret the data, and come up with a solution are all part of this skill set. It is essential for assistant managers to be able to quickly analyze the benefits and drawbacks of many options and come to conclusions that are knowledgeable and well-informed.

Technical skills

These include challenging activities that are reliant on the use of computers, such as managing a POS system at the checkout counter or updating inventory counts in a database.

Assistant manager work environment

The following are some of the circumstances under which assistant managers often operate in retail environments:

Prolonged durations spent standing or walking

Creating an environment where consumers and management can communicate more easily

using electronic devices such as computers, telephones, and point-of-sale (POS) systems

It's possible that you'll need to put in overtime on the weekends, nights, and even holidays.

How to get to the position of assistant manager

The following are the usual actions you should do in order to increase your chances of getting a job as an assistant manager:

1. Make getting an education a priority.

Carry out a search for available assistant manager opportunities in your local region and do a job search. Find out what the bare minimum educational prerequisites are for this job. A high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) is often required at the very least for most jobs. Get at least the level of education that is necessary for the position. If you want to work your way up to a management job in a retail setting, you should consider earning an associate's or bachelor's degree in business, management, or a discipline that is closely similar to this one.

2. Obtain appropriate experience.

For most assistant manager positions, you need to have worked in a retail setting for at least a year, and many employers prefer candidates with three years of experience who have also shown some kind of leadership ability. Conduct a search for associate roles in retail settings for which you are qualified and look for opportunities there. If you have a bachelor's or associate's degree, you may be able to convince some companies to let you substitute your education for part of the experience they need.

3. Acquire certificates.

Even though they aren't necessary, having many certificates might make you a more appealing candidate for the position of assistant manager. You could also want to think about getting a certificate in retail management, which is a program that is especially geared on preparing its students for managerial success in a retail setting. If this is something that interests you, keep reading.

4. Update your resume.

Make sure that your most recent education level, relevant job experience, certifications, and any other abilities that are applicable to the post of assistant manager are included in the most recent version of your resume. Include the name of the company you worked for, your position there, and the duties you were responsible for. Do this for each employment.

5. Submit your application for available opportunities.

You should look for available assistant manager positions in your region, then submit an application with an up-to-date version of your resume and a cover letter that has been tailored to the assistant manager role you are looking for.

Assistant manager description sample

The Tampa Premium Outlet branch of 4EverClassy is looking to hire an assistant manager to work there on a full-time basis. A minimum of three years' experience working in a retail setting is required of the ideal applicant, in addition to a deep passion for the world of fashion. This individual will be responsible for assisting with the training of workers, supervising other staff members, and providing assistance to the store managers. They are need to have previous experience leading and mentoring individuals within a retail environment. It is required that you have the ability to lift at least 25 pounds. It is necessary to have flexibility in one's work schedule, including the capacity to put in extra hours, work on the weekends, and sometimes cover shifts during holidays.