AE - Merchandising Team Leader; Assistant Manager

Job Description

As the full‑time Merchandising Team Leader, you are the Store Team Leader's “go‑to” in developing and implementing the merchandising strategy for the store. Your passion lies in training and coaching your team into great merchants delivering AEO brand visual standards every day. Through your leadership, your team always nails floorset execution and rocks merchandising and marketing brand standards. You ensure the store is always “guest ready” through effective replenishment.

Most importantly, you represent our company values and bring your REAL self to work every day.

• You have a passion for driving sales: as a key Leader on Duty, you are an expert at maximizing fitting room and sales floor productivity and building guest loyalty through a best‑in‑class guest experience. You contribute to the overall financial success of the store by analyzing reporting and daily trends to make strategic business decisions. You are the Store Team Leader's right hand in developing short‑ and long‑term business plans to drive key KPIs.
• You’re a merchandising innovator: you coach your team to deliver an outstanding guest experience by ensuring the store is always representative of AEO Brand Standards. You lead day‑to‑day merchandising, sell‑through adjustments and replenishment, and you’re always ready with a game plan to take action.
• You’re a people leader: you motivate and inspire your team through AEO’s core values, serve as a role‑model leader, and hold your team accountable to rocking AEO’s customer service standards on the sales floor and in the fitting room.
• You have an eye for talent and a love of training: you recruit and hire strong talent to ensure the store is always staffed to meet business needs and you train and develop your team so they can provide outstanding service.
• You know that teamwork makes the dream work: you provide ongoing performance feedback through real‑time coaching, conduct team touch‑bases, development plans, and performance reviews, and you drive associate engagement by celebrating outstanding performance.
• You’re an operational innovator: you execute and improve daily operational procedures, support the team in maintaining visual standards throughout the store, and ensure the fitting rooms are always guest‑ready and align with AEO Brand Standards.
• Integrity is essential: you maintain store safety and asset protection standards, adhere to AEO policies and procedures, and do the right thing.

• You love AE and Aerie products.
• You have led teams in a retail management role previously.
• You can multi‑task, have attention to detail, and excel at priority‑setting and time management.
• You know how to lead and develop teams and have a general understanding of employment law.
• You have business acumen.
• You have flexible availability and are available to work during guest shopping times.

• Actual starting pay is determined by relevant experience and location.
• Subject to eligibility, you may receive health care benefits (medical, vision, dental), wellness benefits, a 401(k) retirement plan, life and disability insurance, an employee stock purchase program, paid time off, paid sick leave, and parental leave.
• Paid time off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay vary by job level, type, location, and years of service.
• AEO may also provide discretionary bonuses and other incentives.

AEO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws. AEO prohibits discrimination against associates and applicants for employment because of race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or partnership status, domestic violence or stalking victim status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

This applies to all AEO activities, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, assignment, training, promotion, performance evaluation, discipline, and discharge. AEO also provides reasonable accommodation of religion and disability in accordance with applicable law.

Job  | Category:
Stores | Posting Date: 2026‑06‑09 |

Schedule:

Full time |

Location:

Walnut Creek, CA, United States