Assistant Store Manager

Retail / Full Time / Reports to Store Manager

Poppy Barley is a Canadian footwear and accessories brand that sells luxury products at a direct-to-consumer price point. Our mission is luxury for the people and planet. As a B Corp certified company, we create sustainably made products that are fairly priced and designed to be worn on repeat. With extended size options, transparent production practices, and a top-tier customer experience both online and in-store, we’re redefining Canadian retail.

Join our team of passionate, creative, and driven individuals who love to experiment, make an impact, and raise the bar—together.

About this opportunity:

The Assistant Store Manager plays a key role in leading the store team to deliver an exceptional Poppy Barley customer experience, embodying our commitment to luxury for the people. You will help create the conditions for success across all aspects of store operations—executing strategies, driving key priorities, and ensuring seamless day-to-day processes, including opening and closing routines. Working closely alongside the Store Manager, you will provide clear communication and leadership, ensuring every team member understands their impact on the store’s success.

About this role:

Leadership:

• Lead, develop, and coach your team to drive performance and create memorable brand experiences.
• Spend much of your time on the retail floor, connecting with customers and leading by example. Provide real-time coaching and take accountability for delivering an exceptional customer experience.
• Support the development of a culture that balances financial success, community impact, and operational excellence with a fun and creative atmosphere.
• Act as a strategic leader—identify challenges, seek solutions, and align with company objectives.
• Manage and delegate store priorities and workload in partnership with the Store Manager.
• Take ownership of key store metrics (KPIs), including sales, returns, conversion, AOV, payroll budget, and store & employee NPS. Analyze performance and implement strategies to achieve KPIs.

Customer Experience:

• Deliver an elevated, personalized shopping experience that reflects Poppy Barley’s commitment to quality and connection.
• Resolve customer concerns and escalations, ensuring every guest experience aligns with Poppy Barley’s values.
• Become an expert on Poppy Barley’s brand, product, systems and customer experience philosophy and translate this knowledge into meaningful interactions.

People:

• Create and foster a respectful and inclusive team environment by welcoming and celebrating differences to ensure a supportive and engaging experience for all team members and guests.
• Support the hiring, training and development of a high-performing team that delivers outstanding service and results.
• Support training initiatives and provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and growth opportunities.
• Recognize and celebrate team achievements while offering clear, constructive feedback to support growth and development.

Operations:

• Assist in scheduling the store team to ensure optimal staffing levels that align with budgets and business priorities.
• Ensure seamless execution of store operations, including POS training, backroom management, inventory intake, stock counts, and e-commerce fulfilment.
• Maintain high visual merchandising standards that reflect the Poppy Barley brand.
• Provide feedback to Product and Operations teams to enhance efficiency and customer experience.
• Understand and adhere to all safety policies and procedures to maintain a safe work environment.

About You:

• An experienced leader in retail, sales, or customer service, with a background in elevated/luxury customer experiences as an asset.
• Demonstrated understanding of service excellence in a consumer-facing environment.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for learning—you embrace experimentation and continuous improvement.
• You stay informed on retail trends, you’re well-connected, and know how to build community.
• Passionate about the fashion industry and creating meaningful connections through styling and education.
• Highly organized self-starter with strong time management skills and the ability…