Assistant Area Sales Manager Trainee

The Assistant Sales Manager Trainee is a developmental leadership role designed to prepare high-potential candidates for future Sales Manager opportunities. This position does not carry direct selling responsibility. Instead, the Trainee rotates through multiple areas of the store to gain comprehensive exposure to merchandising, staffing, operational execution, customer service standards, and leadership expectations.

This role is strategically placed in key multi-store markets to build management bench strength. The Assistant Sales Manager Trainee must demonstrate flexibility and mobility, as placement into a permanent Sales Manager role may occur in any store within the designated market when a leadership opportunity becomes available.

Arkansas area

Cleveland, OH

St Louis, MO

• Participate in structured training rotations across multiple store areas to gain full operational knowledge.
• Learn to drive sales, gross margin, staffing, credit, and inventory performance through observation, coaching practice, and performance analysis.
• Partner with Sales Managers to understand staffing models, scheduling within payroll budgets, and productivity standards.
• Observe and assist in recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and training store associates.
• Develop skills in performance coaching, delivering feedback, and motivating teams to achieve service and sales goals.
• Gain working knowledge of merchandising standards, price changes, inventory control, recovery processes, and visual presentation.
• Assist leadership in resolving associate and customer concerns.
• Participate in store opening and closing procedures.
• Model professional leadership behaviors, service excellence, and operational discipline.
• Demonstrate readiness for promotion through measurable performance, leadership aptitude, and business acumen.
• Relocate or transition within the designated market when assigned to a permanent Sales Manager role.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Store Manager or Assistant Store Manager.

• Learn to build and maintain high-performing teams through coaching and accountability.
• Develop the ability to set, communicate, and monitor productivity and service goals.
• Train in workforce planning and scheduling based on business needs and payroll budgets.
• Practice leadership decision-making related to hiring, promoting, assignment of duties, and performance management under the guidance of store leadership.
• Develop sound business judgment and operational agility.
• Serve as a leadership example by modeling professionalism, teamwork, and service standards.

• High School diploma or equivalent experience required; college degree preferred.
• Prior leadership, supervisory, or management experience required.
• Prior retail selling or customer service experience preferred.
• Demonstrated desire to pursue a retail management career path.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build positive and productive relationships with associates and leadership.
• Exhibits sound business judgment and adaptability.
• Highly motivated, results-oriented, and organized.
• Strong time management and prioritization skills.
• Computer proficiency required.
• Willingness to be mobile and transition to different store locations within the assigned market as business needs dictate.

• Regular attendance is required with the ability to work extended hours as needed.
• Must be able to stand for lengthy and continuous periods totaling up to 8 hours per day.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 lbs. on a regular basis.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, squat, and stretch to stock and retrieve merchandise.
• Requires ability to operate a computer terminal, as well as grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, bending, listening, hearing, speaking, and visual acuity.
• Talking and hearing occur continuously in the process of interacting with employees and customers.
• Vision occurs continuously in the process of merchandising and interacting with customers.
• This list of physical demands is not exhaustive. Other physical activities may be necessary depending on the specific tasks to be accomplished.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, vision and dental coverage, a generous merchandise discount, a 401(k) plan with employer matching, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. Pay will be commensurate with education and experience.

Dillard’s is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and local law.