Assistant Store Manager, Sales & Retail Engagement

Assistant Store Manager, Sales & Retail Engagement

Location: 3232 Lake Ave Suite 1, Wilmette, IL 60091

The salary range for this position is $57,000 - $70,000 however, base pay offered may vary depending on location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Overview:

As an Assistant Store Manager (ASM), you’ll take a leading role in bringing Wayfair’s retail vision to life within a high-performing sales and customer centric environment. Reporting to the Department Manager, you will oversee critical store functions for teams, and assist across team verticals including operational excellence, visual merchandising and design, and team development, to ensure an exceptional customer experience, drive a high performance team, and deliver on overall business targets.

This position blends strategic leadership (approx 60%) with hands-on execution and tactical (approx 40%) requiring a balance of creativity, business acumen, and strong leadership. You’ll leverage data-driven insights to implement merchandising strategies, optimize store operations, and inspire your team to exceed expectations in every area—from sales to service. Your contributions will directly impact the store’s success by fostering a collaborative, customer-focused culture that reflects the brand’s values.

The ideal candidate thrives in leading large teams, in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. They should be excited to excel while balancing priorities, and have a proven track record of coaching, mentoring, and developing talent to achieve results. Join Wayfair to help lead, innovate, and shape the in-store experience as we redefine the definition of retail excellence.

What Does an Assistant Store Manager (ASM) Do?

• Adapt Under Pressure: Excel in managing competing priorities, navigating high-pressure situations with poise and efficiency, and ensuring seamless store operations and team productivity.
• Demonstrate Operational Versatility: Demonstrate expertise in overseeing store functions, including sales performance, asset protection, safety compliance, and customer engagement, from opening through closing of daily store operations. Serve as a keyholder to help open or close the store as needed.
• Execute Sales-Driven Leadership: Leverage a deep understanding of proactive sales environments and proven tactics to strategically inspire, motivate, and lead teams to exceed performance goals and deliver exceptional results.
• Coach and Develop Teams: You’ll embody strong leadership and professional maturity while providing actionable feedback and guidance across all teams to drive strong business results and foster associate growth. This will also include accountability conversations and coaching in-the-moment to ensure all team members meet expectations and demonstrate the Wayfair People Principles at all times.
• Lead a First-in-Class Experience: Represent a deep understanding of Wayfair’s customer-first commitment through product knowledge to assist customers, collaborate with all teams, and deliver an authentic, friendly, and memorable shopping experience.
• Possess Organizational Proficiency: Show high proficiency in organization, planning, communication, and relationship management abilities, with a talent for appropriately organizing in-store teams to execute against priorities.

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret sales trends, evaluate data, and implement strategies to drive business growth and strategically problem solve.

• Embrace Innovation: Bring energy and creativity to the role by sharing ideas to improve operations within our operating guardrails to help enhance brand recognition, product presentation, and adapt to a fast-paced environment with evolving selection, promotions, and competing priorities.

What are the Specific Responsibilities of a Sales & Retail Engagement ASM?

• Foster a Selling Culture and Drive Metrics: Champion a selling-focused culture (spending ~80% of your time on the sales floor), coaching in the moment, completing observations, and role-playing with team members to improve their skills and tactics. You will measure success by driving key performance metrics, including sales, conversions, units per transaction (UPT), average order value (AOV), and customer satisfaction.
• Product Knowledge Development: Ensure all team members are trained and certified in relevant areas to drive category growth and enhance customer interactions. Regularly assess and enhance product knowledge to enable associates to confidently assist customers and meet their needs.
• Associate Recognition and Motivation: Implement programs to recognize and reward team members who exceed expectations, fostering a positive, high-performance work environment and reinforcing a culture of success and engagement.
• Customer Engagement and Escalation Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for resolving escalated customer concerns, ensuring prompt and satisfactory resolutions while building trust and delivering an exceptional shopping experience. Actively engage with customers alongside the team to enhance connections and drive loyalty.
• Coaching and Development: Provide consistent on-the-floor coaching, documenting interactions, and offering actionable feedback to develop selling behaviors and elevate overall team performance. Utilize role-playing, scenario-based learning, and team discussions to enhance skillsets and build confidence.
• Training, Compliance, and Communication: Oversee the completion of mandatory compliance training(s) and store-specific initiatives, ensuring all team members are aligned with organizational objectives. Conduct regular touchbases to review performance metrics, discuss updates, and drive alignment with store and brand goals.

What are the Job Requirements?

• 1+ year of previous experience leading a team (10-30+ individuals)
• 2+ years of previous leadership experience motivating a team of high performers to achieve strong business results through Visual Merchandising and Brand Presentation (such as a store leader, manager, or trainer.)
• 3+ years of prior retail experience (preference for home, furnishing, and interior design spaces.) 
• You will be required to work a flexible schedule that may include nights, weekends, and holidays.

Additional Physical and Environmental Requirements:

• Physical Demands
• Frequent movement including standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching
• Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 lbs
• Frequent repetitive motions and coordination
• Constant handling, grasping, and communication (talking/hearing)
• Ability to ascend/descend stairs, ladders, and balance
• Ability to use a variety of hand-held tools (such as, but not limited to, wire cutter, wire strippers, screwdrivers, hammer, measuring tape, leveler, drill).
  
  
• Working Environment
• Some exposure to cold, heat, and humidity
• Occasional noise and vibrations
• Minimal hazards and seasonal temperature changes

What are the Benefits*?

• Competitive pay
• Bonus eligibility 
• Career development opportunities
• Health, vision, & dental insurance coverages (start on day one)
• Paid time off (start accruing time immediately)
• 401(k) with company match (up to 4%) 
• Eligible tuition reimbursement (after 6 months of employment)
• Wayfair Employee discount
• Discount at instore dining cafe
• Paid / unpaid parental leave options
• Regular upskilling and trainings for your continued development

Career advancement opportunities and much more!
*Full Benefits as outlined above are based on full-time employment status, these may vary or change for part-time or seasonal status employees. Detailed benefit guides will be issued to anyone who is offered a position with Wayfair for further insights into all of the great offerings available. If you’re curious to learn more about a specific benefit detail, your recruiter or a member of our team onsite can help with this information!