RHT 3020 - Advanced Retail Industry Concepts

A. Administrative and Financial Accountability 

1. Review, interpret and respond to store operating and/or financial reports. 

2. Complete both selling and non-selling reports per company directives. 

3. Conduct or oversee periodic physical inventory in compliance with company policy. 

B. Operations 

1. Manage receiving, processing and flow of merchandise to and from selling floor in order to minimize damage or loss and ensure adequate stock on hand. 

2. Anticipate and avoid a potentially hazardous environment by understanding and enforcing all safety policies and regulations. 

3. Understand and implement store emergency/disaster plan to ensure safety and support loss prevention. 

4. Identify, assess and correct/report unsafe conditions to proper authorities in a timely manner and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations and company policies. 

5. Implement and adhere to corporate policy to minimize loss through customer, employee and vendor theft, cash handling, fraud, and record keeping errors 

6. Protect customer and employee information and property in conformance with company policies and regulations. 

7. Create a clean, safe and attractive shopping/working environment by scheduling repairs, cleaning and preventive maintenance to protect equipment and facilities and minimize customer/employee inconvenience. 

8. Follow company store opening and closing procedures. 

9. Ensure adequate supplies in support of selling; e.g. bags, boxes, pens, etc. 

C. Human Resources 

1. Recruit sales associates using approved procedures to ensure there are qualified candidates to interview to satisfy job openings. 

2. Accept applications from job-seekers; may conduct initial interview or schedule interview for hiring manager. 

3. Interview job applicants to select candidate best matching job profile. 

4. Provide both positive and negative written feedback to employees in the form of periodic employee performance reviews and documented disciplinary activities to maximize staff performance. 

5. Provide ongoing coaching and guidance to associates to ensure quality performance/productivity, build employee confidence, improve workplace morale and communicate management expectations. 

6. Conduct or arrange scheduled, required, and/or ad hoc training/cross-training to employees to understand and apply company policies, meet sales goals, and service standards to maximize productivity and ensure adequate staffing. 

7. Counsel/guide employees in developing skills, knowledge and abilities to enable career advancement and improve retention. 

8. Actively participate in personal growth and career development by seeking opportunity and continuous learning. 

9. Follow company ethical guidelines and values and promote the same behavior in subordinates to build and maintain positive company reputation. 

10. Create work schedules using projected workload, employee availability, and employee skill sets to optimize sales/service and operations while meeting payroll and budgetary constraints. 

11. Comply with all applicable laws and regulations when dealing with all applicants, employees, customers, and vendors and ensures that subordinates similarly comply. 

12. Terminate, or recommend termination, in accordance with company policy and applicable laws and regulations. 

13. Identify, investigate, and resolve employee conflict consistent with company policy while maintaining the dignity and respect of all involved. 

14. Plan and conduct store meetings with employees to communicate objectives, solicit input and feedback, and recognize achievement thereby promoting consistent, open, and interactive communication. 

15. Assure proper processing of payroll, benefits and other personnel administrative responsibilities in accordance with company policies and procedures and all applicable laws and regulations. 

D. Merchandising 

1. Manage new and replenished merchandise through the monitoring of stock reports, physical counts, seasonal needs, hot/slow sellers and basic items to maintain optimal inventory levels. 

2. Follow company policies and procedures or guidelines to make merchandise floor ready. 

3. Follow company policies and procedures or guidelines for signage, visual display, and merchandise placement to maximize sales, ensure safety and minimize shrinkage. 

4. Responsible for accurate markdown/markup of merchandise in response to company directives. 

E. Selling and Services 

1. Ensure customer satisfaction within company policy by meeting and exceeding customer expectations to increase sales and customer loyalty. 

2. Resolve customer comments/complaints, consistent with company policy, by empowering employees to provide meaningful resolutions, thereby increasing sales and customer loyalty. 

3. Analyze and respond to customer feedback to increase customer satisfaction, sales and customer loyalty. 

4. Enhance customer loyalty by ensuring the perceived value of products and services is greater than competitors’ by offering superior service, and product knowledge thereby ensuring the store’s success. 

5. Maintain and/or increase customer loyalty through the implementation of special marketing and promotional efforts. 

6. Monitor seasonal and community events to ensure the right product mix, thereby increasing customer traffic and improved store sales. 

7. Promote effective selling skills to ensure meeting or exceeding sales goals and customer satisfaction. 

8. Apply the store’s service model to gain an understanding of customer’s shopping patterns, groups, and habits to support and increase sales.