The Store Manager-Bench oversees all aspects of operations, including the service focus and merchandising for the stores they are supporting or operating in the designated market until a Store Manager position becomes available and offered.  Supporting or operating locations include but are not limited to; covering leave of absences, open positions, training needs and or projects within the District.   The Store Manager-Bench is responsible and accountable for driving business results through the effective coaching of the store team, the customer experience, sales and profit growth, expense control, promotional and merchandising execution, store management and team development. The Store Manager-Bench role requires a high level of communication, efficiency and drive for results.  

• Leads, supports and values the Customer Selling experience in both in store and online shopping.
• Ensures every employee greets customers with enthusiasm and maintains a positive, can do attitude at all times.
• Proactively engages with customers, reads cues and responds appropriately to start and build the customer’s basket.
• Educates each customer on current promotions and merchandise assortment to support buying decisions.
• Understands and supports a caring, fun, and engaging work environment for the team and great shopping experience for the customers.
• Supports the company’s branding at all times by treating all customers and co-workers in a respectful and professional manner while supporting a common goal.
• Accountable for driving profitable sales, protecting company assets and support of the Company Handbook.
• Understands performance targets and monitors achievement of benchmarks and goals.
• Uses objective business analysis to evaluate business choices.
• Observes trends and patterns to determine root causes of problems and identify solutions.
• Responsible for networking and recruiting within the market to ensure the area or store has appropriate staffing levels to support the business and accountable for making sound hiring decisions within the store they are supporting or operating.
• Builds high performing teams that can accomplish company goals, initiatives, and priorities, and builds and sustains productive relationships across the area or district and the industry.
• Creates an atmosphere where all team members are held accountable for both individual and team performance.
• Ensures that strategies, change initiatives, and business opportunities are communicated in compelling ways to their store team and supervisor.
• Identifies store opportunities that are consistent with company strategies and takes action to address these opportunities.
• Ensures that desired changes in initiatives and direction are implemented appropriately and timely in order to drive results.
• Travel to the other store locations and the Sales Support Center for meetings.
• Champions and demonstrates a commitment to Kirkland’s values: Customer Commitment, Caring Culture, Winning Attitude and Innovative Spirit.
• May perform other duties as necessary.

• College preferred or 1-3 years management experience in a retail environment preferred.
• Energetic, results oriented and competitive with a drive to succeed.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively communicate both written and verbally.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays and evenings.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Ability to handle and transport company funds to the bank location designated by Kirkland’s. Transportation of company funds will be conducted in a manner that does not place the funds in a vehicle with any non-Kirkland’s employee.
• Ability to travel approximately 45 miles to support the designated market stores
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Must be able to ascend/descend a ladder to retrieve and stock products on the shelf or to hang overhead banners/product.
• Frequently positions self to retrieve and stock products in the stock room and sales floor and to place merchandise in bags.
• Must be able to constantly move around the store for prolonged periods to greet and assist customers.
• Must be able to frequently communicate with the customers in person, electronically, and telephonically.
• Must be able to frequently move merchandise that is 50 pounds or more to and from the stock room to sales floor.
• Must be able to operate a Point of Sale system, registers and hand held devices efficiently and accurately