Job Responsibilities
As First Assistant Manager, one ostensibly
"manages" a store. What I really do is attempt to manage the new Selmor system
(the system formerly known as #$*&*&# RETEK) in an attempt to manage inventory.
Receiving, transfers, stock counts, Direct Returns to Vendors... The system is
far from glitch free and it's been frustrating, to say the least. No one
bothered
to teach me most of it, save a few hours spent on it during my initial two-week
training period about 16 months ago,
so I've had to teach myself 90 percent of it. Of course, no kudos are proffered
for this self-sufficiency - merely more responsibilities piled on with nothing
in
the
way of recognition or gratitude. I am also expected to teach the second
assistant what I've learned, which I normally wouldn't mind, but it takes so
much
time and there is no appreciation. . If these oh-so-critical stock counts are
not
completed, our DM mails out nasty little
missives threatening to fire the next person who fails to comply.
Since the SELMOR system is often "down", managers have taken to covering our
(collective) as* by phoning the Eckerd Resolution Center (which I have
dubbed the Eckerd Retard Center - my apologies to persons with real learning
disabilities - these people are morons, plain and simple) to obtain a
"ticket number" as proof that we attempted to be compliant but were
once again thwarted in our efforts). Countless hours each week are
wasted in
such
futile endeavors - a correct inventory is critical, but very few of
these so-called stock counts are anything more than busy work to make
corporate feel as though its investment in SELMOR was worth it. It it
any wonder I have deemed it the SELL-LESS system? Time is being
stolen from visual merchandising and other necessary activities in
order to complete stock counts which, in the final analysis, have
little to do with maintaining an accurate inventory, or assuring the
store it will receive the items necessary for the upcoming tabs
(sales). Also, theoretically the store is supposed to be on auto-
replenishment, but whoever still believes that little claim - hey,
I've got some great property in Florida for
ya.....Store
orders for a store of my size can take all day and with my demanding
customers, one had better not be "out" of anything. I am also
responsible for all cash office activities, such as deposits,
payroll, cashier accountability. I also do the bulk of the physical
labor in the store. I unload trucks from the Distribution Center and
place product on the
shelves,
all with an eye to "product freshness" (one of the biggest jokes
going in
my
store because, apparently, rotating product is too much to ask of a
teenager
who makes only $6.50 an hour). Allegedly, I am supposed to manage the
associates as well, but due to poor store leadership (store manager),
I
can,
at best, be merely re-active, not pro-active, and the teenagers are
tardy, or don't show up at all, or are disrespectful. I was told that
I should be grateful I have someone working for us and not be so
demanding. I'm sorry, but I simply cannot see how expecting someone
to show up for work - on
time,
without her stomach hanging out of her jeans - and not mouth off at
me, and not do her homework at the cash register, and actually work - is
"demanding". If one wants to be a retail manager, one needs to
understand that one will be supervising mainly teenagers. That is,
quite frankly, one of the most challenging aspects of the job.
As First Assistant,
I have found I (as well as other First Assistants) get no recognition
- if something is right, it's the Store Manager's doing, but if it
goes wrong, the DM "is going to fire the lot of us". But that is how
the world
works, and while I accept that, and love being supportive of the store
manager, it would be nice to hear some recognition of what we first
assistants contribute.
I am responsible for seeing that
no
customer leaves the store disgruntled. That, in itself, is a mammoth
task and one, given the situation at Eckerd as far as inventory
problems, is one not even Mother Theresa could master. I am also
responsible for visual merchandising. This is the only job function I enjoy at
this time.
Formerly,
I enjoyed the customers, but always having to tell them we are out of
stock on an item featured in our sales flyer (but we never received
and could not
order) is a drain. That said, I get more customer commendations than
anyone else in the store combined and multiplied. I do enjoy it, but
on a bad day, it's difficult. Retail workers don't ever get sick,
their relatives don't die, their spouses don't leave - right? But you
had better act as though you don't have a care in the world - and
that's not always easy. Fortunately, I'm a very accomplished actress.
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Job Requirements
I would prefer not to say what my former profession
was. With my luck, someone will recognize me, and I shudder to think
where all this (ostensibly anonymous) candor will lead. One does not
need a college degree to hired as a First Assistant Manager - although it would
help.
Fortunately,
I do have one year at an Ivy League school, and I do think that
helped me secure the interview. I interviewed with a very nice
District Manager - and since I'd had experience as a Manager In
Training with another company and because I was enthusiastic, I got
the job. I received about 8 days of training, but was taught only the
basics - which was how to open and close the store, and perform some
functions on RETEK. I taught myself absolutely everything else, with
the exception of a few rare occasions. My boss, the store manager,
was simply not all that interested in training me, and once he
ascertained that I was capable of figuring most anything out on my
own, he left me to my own devices. Fortunately, I was capable of
learning not only SELMOR,but Kronos
applications, payroll, and accessing our "resources" (such as they are)
online.
If one is computer literate, and doesn't mind the "trial and failure"
method, one would do very well - if it weren't for the incessant
demands.
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Uppers
I relish freedom of movement - which is why I left my former field.
I simply cannot tolerate being chained to a computer. If things
operated as they should ( meaning we got the product we advertised),
I would enjoy the customers. It's an extremely physical job - one
needs at least a modicum of stamina as well as the ability to walk
and/or stand for hours one end. And, in an ideal situation, where the
DM doesn't make exhorbitant demands, there is opportunity to be
creative and expressive. I have relished creating aesthically
pleasing endcaps which others admire and inspire persons to purchase
our products. It's also gratifying to help certain customers, particularly the
elderly.
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Downers
Customers can be self-absorbed, self-entitled jerks. I've
had
money
literally thrown at me because I had to change a register tape, and
the customer was irritated at having to wait an extra 45 seconds.
I've had persons scream at me because their credit cards were maxed
out ("But it's a good card - really - just give me the stuff and I'll
bring the money tomorrow - honestly - do I look like someone who
would rip you off?") Because we are dealing with medications, often
for persons who are sick, customers can
get downright nasty and even threatening if you don't re-open the store
for them if they arrive five minutes after closing, something which I
am not permitted to do, because if a robbery occurs before or after
store operating hours, I would be held personally responsible. ("But
do I look like a robber?") I can understand their frustration, but
operating hours are posted. You need to get up from the latest episode
of Survivor and get into the store.)
If you
can't maintain your composure when customers are telling you you are
a worthless piece of retail scum ("I don't need attitude from someone
who works retail from a living"), please, I beg you - consider
something other than retail. That said, I cannot find the heart to go
back to my former field and tweak Excel spreadsheets for the rest of my life.
But the biggest downer about Eckerd - no one,and I mean no one, has any
interest in Associate Development. What kind of organization allows
the pleas of an assistant manager who WANTS to learn, wants to grow,
wants more challenge, fall on deaf ears? I finally stopped begging for
additional
training and challenges, because I got tired of being blown off. I have
purchased my own textbooks in an effort to learn my chosen field from
the basics on up, because no one here has ever had any interest in
teaching a retail neophyte.
Yet if, for some reason, a store manager suddenly took ill, I would
most likely be expected to fill. If I sound bitter, it's because I am
bitter. I am normally upbeat, postive and cheerful, but the
expectations of the company have become worse than ludicrous and there
is no way a management team could ever be successful given what they are
demanded to
do. On top of it all, after being trashed in an email by the DM, we are
told that we need to be happier. We are told we need to love our
jobs. How happy can one be when one is demeaned on a daily basis? To be
fair, my store management team does get accolades because we are
selling up a storm - but I feel really bad for the management teams in
the other stores who just get criticized. If it were not for our
outstanding sales, I don't think we would ever hear a positive word from the DM.
I don't believe for one minute I am the only first assistant manager
who feels this way. Also, there is a lot of petty politics and
backstabbing between store managers.
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Lifestyle
Retail workers will always be in demand. The field will continue
to grow. Those of us who are "have-nots" will always be required
(by "virtue" of our bills) to wait on the "haves". If you can't
maintain a smile while being calumnized, please don't go into
retail. It has it's bonuses, but my advice is to carefully weigh
the pros and cons. I want to manage my own store, but not with
this particular district manager (her communications are
downright hurtful). If your heart is set on retail, please be
prepared to work, work, work, work - and work some more.
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Compensation
Please don't get me started on this. I was hired as a salaried
assistant manager, then I was "demoted" (along with every other
FIRST assistant manager) to "hourly assistant manager". This was
done because we were not being paid full overtime for the extra
horus we were required to work. I lost two weeks vacation time
and if it weren't for the overtime I get from managing other
stores when the managers there are on vacation, it would be a
sorry salary indeed. $28,000 for all this blood, sweat and tears
(literally)???
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Advice to Jobseekers
Retail workers will always be in demand. The field will continue
to grow. Those of us who are "have-nots" will always be required
(by "virtue" of our bills) to wait on the "haves". If you can't
maintain a smile while being calumnized, please don't go into
retail. It has it's bonuses, but my advice is to carefully weigh
the pros and cons. I want to manage my own store, but not with
this particular district manager (her communications are
downright hurtful). If your heart is set on retail, please be
prepared to work, work, work, work - and work some more.
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