Assistant Store Manager, Cornell Retail Services

Student & Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellbeing, connection and belonging, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad. As a dynamic hub of the Cornell University campus, a recognized national leader in collegiate retailing, and a self-funded enterprise, Cornell Retail Services strives to deliver legendary customer service and quality products to meet the needs of the Cornell Community. In service of Cornell students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors, the Cornell Retail Services team leads a multi-channel retail business, including a 22,000 sq. ft. flagship campus store, two e-commerce sites, and satellite store locations throughout the Ithaca area, ultimately producing $26 million in annual retail sales.

Reporting to the Store Manager, the Assistant Store Manager supports the overall performance and success of the unit's main store located on Cornell's Central Campus. Specifically, this position assists with the oversight of daily operations and logistics surrounding all aspects of the sales floor and staff management to ensure and improve upon customer and employee satisfaction. Additionally, this role is expected to support the financial performance of Cornell Retail Services by increasing sales revenue. This role will execute and monitor customer service standards and targets that are established by the Store Manager. Through the supervision of several department supervisors along with their direct reports, the Assistant Store Manager is expected to lead by example, motivate and develop an engaged and dynamic team.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

A successful Assistant Store Manager will:

• Be a highly motivated individual, able to guide and motivate the team to achieve store goals while maintaining a positive work environment.
• Be actively involved with staff performance by providing regular coaching, daily feedback, consistent training, and development opportunities.
• Demonstrate high standards for customer service, ensuring that all customers have a positive and satisfying shopping experience including resolving all unexpected issues or concerns quickly with tact and diplomacy.
• Have strong analytical skills to interpret sales data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions that enhance store performance.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, problem-solve and prioritize in an ever-changing environment.
• Ensure all operational and University policies and procedures are implemented and maintained in a positive and consistent manner, including opening and closing procedures, cash handling, and security protocols.

Required Qualifications

• Trade or technical school degree and 2 to 4 years relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Prior supervisory experience or experience in managing effective teams
• Technical/computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office software as well as previous experience with retail inventory management systems including POS software
• Proven experience connecting inclusion, belonging and wellbeing practices to business goals.

The position requires a varied work schedule, including availability on nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree or additional relevant management experience
• Work experience in a retail field or managerial capacity is strongly preferred.
• Advanced experience using and leveraging inventory management tools, retail POS systems, and/or financial reporting tools is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience training and coaching effective sales and service behaviors are also preferred.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The successful applicant will be expected to work on campus.