Sears Retail Management Trainee

About Our Stores
Sears, is one of the nation’s largest and most successful retailers, operating nearly 900 full-line stores and 1,100 specialty stores, along with related service businesses.  Historically rich yet thoroughly modern and innovative, Sears is the only retailer where consumers can find each of the Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands’ End brands together – among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S.  Sears also offers a variety of merchandise and services through its web sites and several specialty catalogs.

Retail Management Development Program
The Sears Retail Management Development Program is designed to develop talented associates into high-performing managers and leaders within the retail store field organization.

Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in any major
• Strong academic performance
• Demonstrated leadership abilities
• Involvement in extracurricular activities
• Dedication to customer service
• Strong communication skills
• Willingness to relocate
• Permanent Employment Authorization/U.S. Citizenship

Where You’ll Train
While we have stores in every state and Puerto Rico, specific training locations are identified within major metropolitan areas in each of our eight regions. Initial assignments will likely occur in the city where you train.  Geographic preferences are considered, but not guaranteed.  Future assignments may occur anywhere within the region.

What You’ll Do First
You’ll start in the Retail Management Development Program, a comprehensive 12+ month program designed to develop talented associates into highly skilled managers capable of handling the various operations critical to the success of our stores. 

The Retail Management Development Program is made up of the following building blocks that are critical to leadership development:

In-Store Rotations - During the program, you’ll rotate through all selling and non-selling areas of the store, such as receiving, replenishment, merchandising, in-store support, operations, human resources and asset protection.  You’ll learn the skills required in each role but will also gain a macro view of how they all work together.  As in all of our store management positions, you’ll have to be prepared to work nights, weekends and holidays as needed. 

Mentor Relationship - Critical to your development will be relationships with high- performing managers and leaders at Sears who have proven themselves as drivers of business performance and coaches and developers of people.

Structured Development - You will receive structured training and development through multiple media. Technical and leadership skills will be delivered through on-line and classroom-based experiences.  As a final step in your training, you’ll be given a  special assignment where you’re given management responsibilities for an area within the store, challenging you to apply the skills you’ve learned through the training program to real situations.

Networking Opportunities - We’ve learned from our former trainees that the ability to interact with peers and proven leaders within the company is an important part of ongoing development; therefore, we ensure you have these opportunities.  These interactions allow you to share common struggles and grow through shared experiences.

Throughout the program, you’ll receive periodic feedback from managers with whom you’ve worked.

What You’ll Do Later
Once you successfully complete your training, you’ll be ready for your first independent management assignment.  After that, many management opportunities will be available to you with the ultimate goal of placing you as a Store General Manager within 6-8 years.  Of course, your future will depend on your career ambitions and the performance results you achieve.

Potential Career Path
Management Trainee > Softlines Assistant Store Manager (ASM) > Hardlines ASM > Operations ASM > Store General Manager