Assistant Shop Manager Trainee at Puzzled®

Overview: At Puzzled®, we believe in creating meaningful, hands-on experiences that bring people together. As our Assistant Shop Manager Trainee, you'll be part of a team that turns curiosity into connection, helping customers discover the joy of puzzles while fostering a warm and engaging store environment. This role is perfect for someone who’s eager to learn, grow, and contribute to Puzzled’s mission—whether it’s organizing community events, running in-store promotions, or supporting our team in delivering exceptional service.

This position is part of the New Mexico Workforce Solutions on-the-job training program, and no prior management experience is required. We’re excited to help you develop the skills you need to thrive in retail management, event coordination, and customer engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Operations:

- Open and close the store, ensuring a smooth and efficient day-to-day operation.

- Create a welcoming and playful environment, ensuring the store is always clean, organized, and inviting.

- Manage inventory and keep track of stock levels to ensure the store is well-supplied with our handcrafted puzzles and games.

- Support part-time employees by providing guidance and direction to maintain high customer service standards and operational excellence.

Customer Service:

- Provide outstanding, personalized customer service—offering thoughtful recommendations and sharing the stories behind our products.

- Handle transactions accurately and efficiently, always ensuring a smooth checkout experience.

- Engage with customers in a friendly, approachable manner, making their visit to Puzzled a memorable one.

Community Engagement and Event Coordination:

- Help organize and participate in local events that foster a sense of community and connection. This could include hosting family-friendly in-store activities, attending local pop-up markets, or collaborating with nearby businesses.

- Coordinate and promote special events and partnerships that showcase the creativity and craftsmanship behind our puzzles, helping to increase visibility and strengthen ties with local customers and tourists.

- Assist in planning and executing collaborations with other local businesses and organizations, ensuring each partnership is meaningful and aligned with Puzzled’s values of creativity, mindfulness, and connection.

Sales and Growth:

- Assist in creating engaging product displays that tell a story and invite customers to explore the unique, handcrafted puzzles we offer.

- Actively promote in-store activities and local collaborations that increase foot traffic, boost customer engagement, and enhance sales.

- Develop a deep understanding of Puzzled’s product offerings to help customers find the perfect puzzle for any occasion—whether it’s for relaxation, family bonding, or a thoughtful gift.

- Contribute to increasing sales by encouraging customers to explore higher-value products and creating meaningful, hands-on shopping experiences that align with our brand’s mission.

Supervision and Team Support:

- Provide support and guidance to part-time employees, ensuring they’re well-trained, confident, and able to offer the best customer experience possible.

- Assist with scheduling, store opening/closing procedures, and ensuring the team follows best practices for customer engagement and sales.

- Help create a positive, collaborative environment where the team feels supported and motivated.

Marketing and Promotions Support:

- Collaborate with the team to ensure smooth execution of in-store promotions, events, and collaborations, ensuring these efforts drive customer engagement and align with Puzzled’s brand identity.

- Support the execution of marketing strategies designed to increase both foot traffic and online visibility, helping to tell the story of Puzzled in an authentic and engaging way.

Financial Accountability:

- Monitor daily and weekly sales, helping the store meet sales targets and ensure profitability.

- Assist in tracking sales performance, identifying trends, and making recommendations to optimize product placement, promotions, and customer engagement strategies.

- Provide input on product profitability and pricing strategies to ensure each promotion or event contributes to Puzzled’s overall financial success.

Attributes We Value:

- A passion for puzzles, games, and creating hands-on experiences that bring people together.

- A friendly, outgoing personality with a genuine desire to help and connect with others.

- Enthusiasm for learning and growing in a retail and event management role.

- A positive, team-oriented attitude with a love for creativity and problem-solving.

Skills You’ll Learn:

- Event management, including planning, organizing, and executing in-store activities and local collaborations.

- Retail management skills, from opening and closing the store to handling inventory and financial reporting.

- Customer engagement strategies that emphasize storytelling, product knowledge, and personalized service.

- Leadership and team supervision, helping guide part-time employees to deliver a consistent and memorable customer experience.

Vision for this Role: At Puzzled®, our Assistant Shop Manager Trainee is an essential part of our growth and community involvement. This role is designed to nurture your potential, offering you hands-on training in everything from retail management to event coordination and customer service. As you grow in this role, you’ll play a key part in making Puzzled a vibrant, must-visit destination in Old Town Albuquerque for locals and visitors alike.

Growth Path: This on-the-job training position offers a unique opportunity to develop skills in retail management, sales growth, and event planning. With continued learning and development, there’s potential for advancement into a Shop Manager or Senior Manager role as the business expands.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: From $15.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30 – 40 per week

Benefits:

• On-the-job training
• Paid training

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Every weekend
• Holidays
• No nights
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person