Gift Shop Assistant Manager

Position Summary:

The Assistant Manager is a key member of the Gift Shop team. You’ll be responsible for supporting the Store Manager in building a profitable business by focusing on providing exceptional customer service to guests and guiding the rest of the Gift Shop staff to do the same. You'll provide in-the-moment feedback and coaching to help every team member provide a consistent and positive experience for guests. The Assistant Manager is a partner to the Store Manager and will both assist with daily business management tasks, as well as fill in for the Store Manager when needed.

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Act as a role model for positive and effective connections with customers - providing warm, welcoming customer service to guests at all times.
• Serve as an ambassador for the Arboretum to visitors, developing expertise on the Arboretum in order to answer questions and assist visitors.
• Observe staff performance on the sales floor, assisting when needed to answer questions and provide timely feedback and training to help develop their skills and knowledge.
• Serve as an expert in the products carried in the shop, training other staff in product knowledge.
• Help staff make the most of customer interactions by sharing feedback with specific actions to improve outcomes.
• Ensure staff are working to meet sales goals and exceed customer expectations.
• Manage the sales floor, ensure staff are deployed appropriately and keep rest and lunch breaks running in a timely fashion and in accordance with California labor laws.
• Opening and closing the shop, including accurately handling cash and reconciling all cash on hand.
• Serve as the receiving lead - entering PO’s and new products into the system, creating tags, and ensuring products are checked in accurately and efficiently.
• Serve as the inventory lead - schedule and oversee execution of regular cycle counts and support store manager in preparation and execution of annual full inventory count.
• Empower all Gift Shop team members to act as ambassadors for The Arboretum by ensuring staff are briefed on weekly events and trained in membership and admissions FAQ’s.
• Supervise volunteers and provide feedback to them as needed.
• Maintain consistent and timely communication with the Store Manager, ensuring they are informed of any issues or incidents that arise when they are not in the store.
• Serve as the manager on duty whenever the store manager is not available/working.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Outstanding customer service skills
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, especially as related to cash handling, inventory counts, and accounts payable/receivable
• Understanding of the boutique shop environment and the soft skills needed to deliver the boutique experience; ability to train others in those skills
• Effective and confident verbal and written communication skills, including active listening, positive reinforcement, and direct, in-the-moment feedback presented with respect and professionalism
• Ability to positively deal with changes as they arise, quickly find solutions or adapt strategies, and rally team members to move forward
• Proficient with iPad-based apps, Microsoft Office programs, Google Workspace, and other technology; prior experience with Shopify POS and barcode scanners preferred
• Available when the shop is busiest, including weekends and holidays (excluding Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day). Managers are expected to have open availability from the Friday after Thanksgiving to December 31, as this is typically the busiest and most important time period in a retail store.
• Proficient in English in both written and verbal form
• Interest in or passion for the LA Arboretum and our mission to cultivate our natural, horticultural, and historic resources for learning, enjoyment, and inspiration

Education and Experience:

• 1-2 years experience working in a boutique shop environment with a high standard of customer service, 1+ years prior experience in a supervisory position managing at least 2 other team members
• Experience with cash handling and POS systems
• At least a high school degree or GED equivalent

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

• Work is primarily performed in a temperature-controlled indoor setting with typical noise of a store setting including background music, and multiple voices speaking at once
• Regular communication - both verbal and written, including speaking and listening
• Prolonged periods standing and moving around the sales floor, including lifting/carrying items, climbing a stepstool or small ladder, and reaching above your head
• Must be able to lift, push, and pull up to 30 pounds

The Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply and are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities in accordance with the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 - $28.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person