sales associate

store manager

seasonal associate

assistant store manager

stocker

Marine-Layer

Marine Layer is a California-based clothing brand. The company was founded in 2009, and started as an online business. Since then, the company has 11 stores throughout the country. All design and production takes place in California, and the product speaks to a young, active, California-esque lifestyle. 

I began working at the company in 2011 as a store associate. I was the 3rd employee hired by our CEO & COO. As the company grew at a very fast pace, I was able to take ownership of many different roles, such as hiring, operations, production, and now my current role of production manager. 

A typical day at work for me involves contacting all 15 production vendors I work with to ensure production is moving along in a timely manner. I also place new production orders, which include cut tickets, tech packs, sewbys, & trim. I also track our entire existing product that moves between our vendors before ultimately being allocated to our 11 stores throughout the country. I oversee distribution of that too. To give you a general idea, we produce about 360 styles per year. Our product line is increasing with the number of stores that grow each year, as well as the quality & intricacy level. We distribute apx. 20,000 units of products to our stores each month, so I am primarily responsible for ensuring that we hit our deadlines each month and produce high quality product that speak well to our growing customer-base.

I work directly under our COO. I also manage our Production Associate, primarily in store distribution and final phases of production, including barcodes, tagging, final QC, samples for photo, etc.

Our company is very unique in that we are all very, very close. Some of my best friends are my co-workers. This developed from starting at such an early phase of the company and growing the company alongside my co-workers. We all work really hard as a team, and also spend a lot of time with each other outside of the work place. I am not sure how it works so well, but it does!

The hardest part of my job is juggling producing many styles with many different vendors throughout various phases of production. There are many language barriers between myself and the vendors, but I use my strong communication skills to communicate with them and problem solve together. This is also one of the most re-warding aspects of my job. I go out of my way to form really solid relationships with my vendors, so that we share a mutual respect for each other. At the end of the day, when production is in a bind, the vendors are the ones that will pull through for you.

The most enjoyable part of my job is being so intimately involved in the design process. I studied design in college, and so to be a part of creating design solutions with my team and to then be able to produce a physical product that I am proud of is very rewarding. The other most enjoyable aspect of my job is to be a part of something that is continuously growing. The company had 5 employees total when I started and 1 store; now it has about 50 employees and  11 stores. I have learned so much about how to start a company and have received exposure from so many different areas within a company. It has really provided me with a very well rounded work experience.

This is average retail. You'll see a typical retail schedule, and hours. Requests for time off or swapping shifts are often approved.  "full time" hours dip well below 40 hours a week (closer to 30).  

Like any other job, the experience depends on who you're working with. You could have a relaxed workplace, learn about fashion and business, make friends and vibe with customers. You could also have a toxic workplace, be gaslit, and pressured to overly engage with customers while working long hours alone.      My manager communicated with me mainly through complaining to anyone else, yet they were sensitive enough to cry at the drop of a hat. 

It feels like if you're unpopular and are addressing complaints (even if it is coming from multiple staff members who are refusing to work with a problematic manager) you're "being petty", but when you are part of the management clique, there will be a serious sit-down over a miscommunication.
Management will ask for feedback and resent you when you give it. They can be oblivious to their substantial double-standards (don't even think about addressing it).  I'm one of many who have left because of management. The best days are when sales staff are just left alone.  

If you're interested in working here, talk to the staff first.  Ask them how they feel about their work and their opportunities.  I had many easy days with great co-workers but I regret accepting the job in the first place. 

I don't care what the tag says, quilted corbet should not be put in the dryer.  Hang it or lay it flat. 

A typical day at work was fairly easygoing and not overly demanding, which made the job enjoyable at first. The team atmosphere could feel relaxed, and the product and customer base were great to work with. However, management often played favorites, which created inconsistency in expectations and opportunities between employees. There was little room for growth or professional development unless you were personally favored by leadership. Feedback was also frequently deconstructive rather than constructive, making it difficult to feel supported or motivated long term. While the job itself was manageable, the workplace culture and management style eventually outweighed the positives.

For the record I worked in Manhattan, unsure of how the rest of Marine Layer runs but the Manhattan district is A MESS!!! Area manager is so disconnected from her team that it's not even funny; I was a supervisor and everyone dreaded seeing her from store managers to store supes. I was constantly picked on even though I was going above and beyond for my role. I was receiving positive feedback daily but there was always a new innocuous reason I was  considered to be "underperforming" when review came around.

Management is pretty toxic, they would talk non-stop about leaving the job and actively looking for new ones while on the clock but would throw you under the bus in a second to save their own job. 

The hardest part of the job is being accepted because if you do not fit their (the managers and area managers) specific impression of likable then they will look for various reasons to rally against you.

Pride themselves on hiring green people....depends on who you are seems like they play favorites. I worked there for over 2 years. When I first started out I LOVED my job then by the end I started not loving my job :(. Started out as a part time sales associate then worked my way up to a Store manager. Transferred to a different region to open a new store for the company! The leadership from the region I transferred to was not encouraging or helpful.Was a fun company to work for but some leadership has a hard time practicing what they preach. If you love a crazy start-up atmosphere, this is the company to work for just be ready for a lot of confusion and non-detailed projects. Recently lots of changes have been happening in the company as well.

Marine Layer is the most unique retail job I have ever had and they treat their teams really well.  You have to be ready to work hard and be scrappy.  Leaders are able to run their stores like their own small business and there is a lot of freedom/growth available.  You are most successful here if you are passionate about the brand and what they stand for.  They take feedback and listen to their people when updating or changing policies or procedures.  They create an environment that allows you to be excited about what you are doing with a heavy focus on being inclusive across the board.  

Having worked at Marine Layer for a year, and at other retail opportunities for over 5 years, I can confidently say it's one of the best work environments for New York retail. Upper Management is attentive to employees' needs, and does their best to accommodate schedule changes, other jobs, schooling, etc. We have fun, get stuff done, and get to wear some awesome clothes. 

Corporate culture is also a + as it emphasizes having fun and not taking yourself too seriously. 

If you don't take yourself too seriously, like making conversation with interesting customers and coworkers, and are looking for a company with upwards mobility this is it. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Clothing allowance for new collections. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The company spends a lot of time prioritizing sales and not promoting company culture or personal development. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Relaxed, but they expect you to make this job your number 1 priority. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Very slow, but the sales can be huge because of the product price point. You will do every task on the floor because you are so understaffed you won’t have a choice.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Working for this Company was a Awesome experience. I Love what they stand for as a company and for the Environment. The Company to me Actually teaches You about the business and running it also.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Slow traffic on certain days but expected.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Amazing! Awesome employees great environment.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Good vibes great locations. I love the many Ppl that you meet.

This company has no expertise or anyone with working knowledge of store merchandising.  One person makes all decisions from human resources to merchandising. The leadership of this company needs to do something about allowing one person to derail experience managers for her own shortcomings.  How can you expand a person's region one week and let them go the following with no written documentation.  If you are reading this, this company is not one you want to share your expertise with because they will use you and then get rid of you.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Sales associate 87 salaries reported	$17.77 per hour
Store manager 34 salaries reported	$22.04 per hour
Seasonal associate 11 salaries reported	$17.66 per hour
Assistant store manager 11 salaries reported	$26.82 per hour
Stocker 1 salary reported	$19.00 per hour

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