store manager

manager in training

assistant manager

City Gear

On Dec 13, 2013 I was promoted to MIT of City Gear, store 1*3. With the promotion the responsibilities of my job increased. On a typical day I would open up the store, with my set of store keys , deactivating the store alarm with individually assigned codes. Once I turn on all utilities and electronics, I would check the paper work, from the night before. Over checking all checklist, store closing checklist, and make sure the receipts balanced out to the drop that was also made the following night before. After the proper checks I count down each register, check store email for any announcements, or instructions. Around this time my first employee is usually walking in so we would just go through the opening checklist, making sure all release are up to date, and the store is ready to open.  A typical day usually consist of random quotas to meet, while at the same time providing excellent customer service. I learned from City Gear that each employee makes a difference. I learned that even in Retail, with Teamwork you can complete anything. I loved coming to work everyday at City Gear because I have a passion for shoes, and fashion. I loved to see the new incoming shipment and the look on customers faces when they see we always had the latest. Coming to work everyday I knew everyday was going to be different. The most difficult times at my job,  would be  making that quick turn around when the holidays where over.

Recruit and hire a diverse, customer service oriented sales team. • Train, coach and develop staff to provide a “best in class” shopping experience and drive overall sales results. • Foster a cohesive, team-oriented environment. • Identify training needs of individual team members and execute training plan accordingly. • Continually recruit ahead of needs to facilitate promoting from within and building bench strength. • Train entire staff on operational excellence and maintain an organized and orderly work environment. • Manage payroll through effective scheduling both to the needs of the business and to deter shrink. • Cultivate open and constant communication with entire staff through use of company tools. • Consistently execute company merchandising directives including ad sets and promotional changes. • Train MIT and Assistants to understand how to merchandise and incorporate new receipts into current sale set. • Maintain a clean, neat and orderly store.

I usually opened everyday and closed if need, therefore I knew the routine of how to opening and closing procedure that the managers do based off observing and hands on experience. I learned many different genres and brand of well established clothing lines from man, women, as well as children. The management was unique in this situation being that we did a lot within our own community but branch out to other job locations in other states. The trend was always changing and as a company we had to adapt. My co-workers ranged from high school to college students as well as other well established business owners and club owners for networking purposes. This job was very easy do to its all about enthusiasm and being open to the people and environment. The most enjoyable part of the job was dealing with the variety of people and providing great customer service to provide there needs.

I worked at City Gear as a Manager-In-Training/ 3rd Key Holder. I must admit, they are very disorganized in their work along with scheduling shifts for the next of week. Though thankfully it did not last long due to the store location being much over hours given to them, City Gear lets its employees break rules which should not be broken. One of example being holding merchandise. No one can do it, but employees do it as if they know the routine by memory. I felt as if I was the only goody two shoes there, and during my shifts I had to inform them the rules for us, but they did not take me seriously.  I hope whomsoever is working there does not become corrupt by them.

I would come in and open the store with an associate. I would begin checking emails and making an outline for that days work, while also assigning a task to each crew member. I was the manager at that time and I would be competing my daily tasks awaiting shipment to arrive. When the shipment finally arrives I do a count on each item arriving and checking it off the shipment list. Sometimes in shipment we get items that aren't on the shipment list and we would enter it into the system manually. The associates and I would then hang up and display the merchandise creatively throughout the store. Continuing the day we would straighten up the store and work on the next advertising and marketing project to bring in more business. The hardest part about the job was working hours and overtime that you wouldn't get paid for. The job in whole, besides the pay, was enjoyable.

It takes all of us to get the job done and all teams are aware.  We have a lot of deadlines and that is usually not an issue.  Most of our departments work well together.  I've learned a lot about team work and being an individual. They are both important if you want to grow.  Management is willing to work with all to help them reach their best potential and help them grow.  Our culture is very relaxed.  We can talk to any one in any position at any time.  It is a very open door policy.  The hardest part is reading the data accurately and making sure that product is being bought and allocated correctly.  The most enjoyable part of the job is what we do.  The fashion industry is a great industry to be in.  We are always viewing product 3-6 months before it hits the stores and being what I would call the first line of defense.

The managers know what they're doing and how the company works.  Training is minimal, but co-workers are helpful and encouraging. Right now, there are no benefits aside from your pay check. There are great advancement opportunities in the stores, but the Store Support Center is rather locked down and doesn't have any clear career paths. Salaries seem to be lower than market average across the board, and the company seems wiling to take shortcuts to keep from having to pay market value for anything. The turn over rate is pretty high, so it's a great place to get in, get some experience and move around a bit, then find a company you can commit to for a while.

Working at City Gear provided me with many skills but it lacked job security and just overall workplace safety. The actual engagement with customers was unique and fulfilling once you’ve built relationships. The upper management isn’t the best at connecting in any way due to never having to be in a store managers shoes. The overall culture of the company has shifted due to being recently acquired by Hibbett sporting goods. Being able to communicate issues up the chain of command is like punching the air(no results). However if you get a reliable team then you’re unstoppable. I enjoyed my time at City Gear overall.

A day at City Gear is sometimes tiring. We start off with morning paperwork. Then we get stock on top of having customers starting to flow in. Then once everyone get off work and school we get a little rush. Then we have to deal with exchanges and returns, customers with and without altitudes. The fun part is  that everyone gets along and we make our day go by easy. The best thing is making our daily goals. Once we make our daily goals all the hard work for the day is over. I love the bond we have with our customers. The hardest part is when you have employees that think they don't have to work. When we have customers looking for merchandise and we don't get it fast enough is frustrating.

Working at City Gear has its ups and downs. You can have the opportunity to meet some influential people depending on which location you are at. Working with management you can gain experience and learn how to work with people and see what the company really has to offer. Sometimes the job can be consuming of your time with not having a set schedule. Also with being apart of management, your always on call and have to be prepared to cover a shift if needed. Benefits are pretty good for full time employees. With the pay being low it makes it a little hard sometimes to find quality employees. I would consider City Gear a good stepping stone to gain experience and skills.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Store manager 2 salaries reported	$15.50 per hour
Manager in training 1 salary reported	$8.13 per hour
Assistant manager 1 salary reported	$10.50 per hour

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