American Girl Department Manager

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER.It's our heritage and it's also our future. Because we don't just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard-when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Team:The American Girl Retail team is integral in providing lifetime memories to American Girl fans and their families. Our experiential retail stores provide shopping destinations like no other. This requires Innovation, Collaboration, and Execution from all who are a part of this division. Our in-store experiences range depending on location from Girl and Doll Salons, Full-Service Restaurants, Personal Shopping, Ear Piercing (Girl and Doll), hosting Parties/Celebrations to name a few. Expect a dynamic and fast-paced role where you get to make decisions that impact the team as well as our customers.

The Opportunity:The Department Manager is located at our AG Flagship Retail Stores and reports directly to the Store Director. This position is responsible for ensuring daily operations in their respective departments meet financial, customer service, and operational goals. This role requires the ability to motivate and develop staff, implement merchandising strategies, and deliver exceptional customer service experiences aligned with company objectives.

What Your Impact Will Be:

Premiere Customer Service:

• Direct daily operations of the department, ensuring financial goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and customer service standards are met while adhering to company policies and procedures.
• Train and coach sales associates on suggestive selling techniques to promote targeted products and increase KPIs, focusing on UPT (Units Per Transaction), ADS (Average Dollar Sale), and data capture.
• Monitor store floor activity, ensuring adequate coverage by rotating staff or using MOD (Manager on Duty) and support teams.
• Oversee the curbside and in-store pickup process to ensure it aligns with company standards.
• Review daily departmental revenue performance and take appropriate action to meet goals.
• Demonstrate and train the principles of M.A.G.I.C. and Mattel Leadership Behaviors to create an exceptional customer experience.
• Collaborate with the retail management team on short- and long-term business strategies to drive revenue.
• Build customer databases proactively by capturing phone numbers and zip codes during purchases.
• Act as a role model for floor leadership, ensuring a professional and positive environment at all times.
• Collaborate with marketing, PR, and retail management to plan and execute in-store programs, events, and product launches.

Team Development:

• Hire, train, motivate, and develop a strong and effective team capable of meeting company standards.
• Communicate department goals, service standards, and delegate responsibilities among team members appropriately.
• Provide regular performance feedback, conduct performance evaluations, and set measurable goals (CAP goals).
• Recognize and reward top performers through Matty Awards and other recognition programs.
• Address performance concerns promptly and implement action plans as needed.
• Lead informative and impactful storewide or department meetings to keep staff aligned with business objectives.
• Ensure all associates attend and actively participate in company-provided training sessions.
• Maintain compliance with all company policies, including recruiting processes and training programs, and ensure adequate staffing to support peak and non-peak trading periods effectively.

Merchandising Strategy:

• Oversee SKU planning, merchandise presentation, and product launches to align with company goals.
• Utilize data analysis to identify revenue opportunities and manage inventory positions effectively.
• Partner with Visual Merchandising and Operations Managers to maintain and enhance visual merchandising standards.
• Build strong communication channels with corporate partners, forecasters, and external teams to secure in-stock product positions for revenue opportunities.
• Regularly shop competitor stores and provide insights and recommendations based on findings.
• Analyze inventory and sales reports from systems such as Congo's, taking proactive measures when discrepancies arise.
• Conduct, or oversee, cycle counts and physical inventories to ensure inventory accuracy.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop and execute merchandising strategies.

What We're Looking For:

• 3-5 years of Retail Operations experience in a high volume, premium, fast-paced environment.
• Proven leadership skills with experience in managing a retail team.
• Ability to balance operational knowledge with creative problem-solving approaches.
• Passion for delivering premiere customer experiences.
• Strong communication, coaching, and development capabilities.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to turn data into actionable strategies.
• Familiarity with visual merchandising standards and operational processes in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Adaptability to handle changing priorities and a results-driven attitude.
• Lead by example through advanced selling techniques and personalized customer engagement.
• Consistently exceed departmental sales targets by driving team performance and delivering exceptional service.
• Experienced with Microsoft Suite and Operational Systems.
• Ability to work, a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays to support business needs.

Salaried:

The annual base salary range for this position is between $69,600.00 - 87,000.00 Annual.

**This range is indicative of projected hiring range, however annual base salary will be determined based on a candidate's work location, skills and experience.Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.

Don't meet every single requirement?At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

How We Work:

American Girl is subsidiary of Mattel, a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate:Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate:At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute:We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Who We Are:

American Girl is a premium brand for girls and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT,www.mattel.com), a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences.Our products are sold in collaboration with the world's leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel's award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.

Visit us athttps://jobs.mattel.com/andwww.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

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