A Barnes & Noble bookstore is a gathering place for readers and the community. As a Store Manager (SM), your key focus and responsibility is the smooth running of your store. You do this by leading, developing and working through your team and Cluster to ensure the store is delivering expected results. In this role, the effectiveness of your team is a direct reflection of your ability to lead and motivate that team.
You’ll make a great Store Manager if you have what we term to be good “behaviors.” You and the management team hold yourselves and the team to these standards, reinforcing expectations.
These behaviors collectively demonstrate that your store team understands and reflects the following:
- Firm understanding and consistency of all Bookstore Basics, maintaining the store’s presentation to expected standards.
- Strong operational standards maintaining a well-organized stockroom and backstock, receiving and shelving deliveries in a timely manner.
- Commercial direction, presentation and execution across the Front of Store (FOS) and table displays, that highlight key titles and promotions.
- Strong section detail and appropriate stock levels, with the team working effectively with the Inventory Cluster Support (ICS) team to ensure appropriate offerings.
- A well-presented Children’s Department with clear ownership, balanced stock, a strong commercial offer and a welcoming space.
- Proper execution and understanding around Specialty visual merchandising, replenishment and disciplines, delivering the Gift and FOS presentation, Toys & Games and other non-book sections correctly.
- Solid execution of café standards supported by the store team, fostering a positive culture of partnership within the café team and actively promoting Membership and book picks.
- Delivery of good service by having the FOS well covered and the team being “heads up,” greeting and offering help to most customers in an unintrusive, natural way.
- Friendly, knowledgeable and professional service at the registers, working naturally with Membership, Our Monthly Picks and other store services, achieving sales objectives.
- Effective selling of Our Monthly Picks, evaluating how well the bookseller behaviors are embedded and demonstrated by the team in a natural and enjoyable way.
- Prioritize health, safety and loss prevention standards, demonstrating de-escalation techniques, confidence in handling active threats, Code Adam and emergency procedures.
- Solid execution of roster aligning with the budget, so store scheduling is balanced to effectively and smoothly run the store, collaborating well with Rota Cluster Support (RCS) and when needed, with Recruiter Cluster Support (RC).
As a Store Manager you will be required to lead the team to strong, consistent performance. Each Barnes & Noble bookstore is the product of its leadership, who supports the bookselling and café team. You will be expected to deliver results through your ability to inspire and support your team. You will:
- Assess the capabilities and potential of the store team fairly and with good understanding of individual skills, conducting reviews consistently and promptly.
- Prioritize the development of individual booksellers purposefully, meeting the demands of the store, working with the People Cluster Support to do so.
- Hold the store team accountable for consistent standards appropriate for their position, addressing opportunities promptly and fairly.
- Lead the store team with kindness, fairness and respect, encouraging the same throughout the team, while creating a positive working environment.
- Communicate and deliver appropriate company messages to the store team in a clear, consistent way, sharing necessary feedback and questions with the Cluster, Area, or Home Office resources.
- Demonstrate integrity and personal credibility, inspiring engagement and performance within the team and Cluster.
- Be resilient and determined when under pressure, remaining equitable and consistent while focusing and achieving goals and objectives.
- Be open to learning, listen and accept feedback about your own skills and opportunities, and actively work to improve and develop.
- Seek to use your strengths at the Cluster level and show a willingness to offer support outside their store and accept cluster partnerships.
- Work proactively to remedy weaknesses and develop strengths in position with continual learning to progress in your personal development and career ambition.
- Understand and articulate that you – as with most SMs – have weaknesses and are able to share them and discuss how to address these.
All this work requires physical activity which includes prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and a lot of walking. You may work in other stores if you are able, and this is needed, collaboratively supporting the wider Cluster.
As you gain experience, you should expect your knowledge and skills to develop to support others and the Cluster.
You will, of course, comply with all company policies and procedures.
Benefits for those who are scheduled to work less than 20 hours per week include Employee Discount, EAP and Sick Pay. For those scheduled to work between 20 and 29.99 benefits include Employee Discount, EAP, Sick Pay and Paid Time Off including paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Company Paid Holidays, Transit and 401(k) with Company Match. For those scheduled to work 30 hours or more benefits include Employee Discount, EAP, Sick Pay and Paid Time Off including paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Company Paid Holidays, 401(k) with Company Match, Comprehensive Health Benefits (Medical, Dental and Vision), Healthcare and Dependent Care Spending Accounts, Healthcare Spending Account, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Transit, and Tuition Reimbursement. All benefits provided are in accordance with the terms of the current plan and may be subject to future change. Benefit may vary depending on location/state regulations. More information can be received by the recruiter or Human Resources.
