This is going to be long but I want people to really see what some sales associates do before they get promoted to DS. People like myself are who some of you guys are going up against or have gone against. I'm certainly not the best employee Home Depot will ever see, but I did my best to grow as a sales associate and demonstrate I was ready for the position. I have tons more to learn now, but I'm actively pursuing knowledge and experience so I can take it to the next level (ASM).
The opportunity is there if you seize it. But a lot of people in my store (not saying this situation is the same as your situation) don't know how to really demonstrate they're capable of assuming the DS role. Or they just don't stand out when compared to peers. Ask yourself how you're demonstrating you're ready to be a DS and why you should be one instead of Bob in Building Materials.
As a sales associate, I was assigned to a specific aisle. This aisle is generally in the Top 3 aisles in every store across the company. I went above and beyond what a normal sales associate would do. On top of that, my customer service is top notch. As long as you're being kind, respectful, and reasonable, I will go through hoops for the customer.
-The basics were always on point. Product was always full, overheads always organized, shelves were always clean.
-Identified vendors that we receive credit on (list is constantly changing and the ways of getting credit are constantly changing), identified how we get credit it on the merchandise (shelf maintenance, manufacturer defect, etc), and then communicated and taught my fellow associates how we go about capturing those credits when applicable.
-Got access to change the OHs so I could make sure that incorrect OHs were updated and we weren't getting too few or too many of products.
-Made lists for the DH of OOSs(Out-of-Stock) so that they could transfer in the merchandise or pick it up.
-Identified reasons for OOSs and communicated them to the DS. Whether it was inactive, clearance, LSAV (limited supply at vendor), or import related, it didn't matter. For every hole, there was a reason and action plan to address the hole.
-Looked at sales histories of items to see how we could increase sales for top sellers. In this case, we were constantly out of stock on certain SKUs because too few would come in per shipment. We'd sell all we had and be OOS for weeks.
-After looking at sales histories, partnering with IPR/SCSD (they manage what levels of inventory are allotted for the store) to increase or decrease inventory so we can increase sales or decrease overstock. There's a reason that everyone always comes to my store for their bulk purchases. We'd have comparable sales and inventory numbers on top sellers of a store doing 2.5X our store's sales dollars.
-Using Store Walk on the FIRST Phone or myNumbers to look at the different classes and analyzing what classes are driving the business. Making sure my fellow associates were working the classes that drive the business and following up with the DS to see how we can drive the classes dragging down the business that were negative comping.
-Giving leadership and direction to other associates in the department alongside my DS. The long-running joke was we had 2 DSs in the department. The associates knew they could come to either myself or the DS for any problems that came up. The associates would actively seek me out for further work assignments after accomplishing what the DS needed to them to get done. Even associates in other departments would come up to me for help with things management would normally handle. They saw me as a leader already;I didn't need the title.
-Learning the responsibilities of the Department Supervisor and completing those tasks with my DS. Learning how to do the Shrink Plan (now Accuracy Review) and ISAL (now SmartList). Doing this tasks as they should be and not whipping them. Helping to make sure everyone is completing their training.
-Working with my management team, the Merchants, and RMM on how to address product issues we were facing in the store. Just because you don't stock something people are asking for doesn't mean you can't stock what people are asking for.
-Making merchandising decisions when working new product into the set or removing clearance product for the clearance endcaps. New product can't sell if it's not on the shelf. We typically can sit on product anywhere from 2-6 months before MET sets it. If I was out of stock on the old product, the new product would be set the day it came in. A lot of times I was pulling POGs to set the new product to POG. Would partner with MET and get SM approval to do so.
-Became cashier certified. Hopping on the register if they lines were getting out of control. It's real easy to get on management's good side when they see you ringing alongside the regular cashiers when the lines are out the door or running down an aisle.
-Learning eSVS. Most associates don't even know how to release an online order. You can even do it from the FIRST Phone.
-Learning the basics of helping in other departments and be willing to step in to help. Learn how to: cut keys, wire, blinds, carpet, lumber, rope, chain; mix paint; thread pipe.
-Monitoring orders on the FIRST Phone to see if any needed to be picked. I didn't do this all the time but when I had a lull in action on the floor. The Service Desk supervisor's chin will hit the floor the first time you bring up an order they didn't ask you to pick.
-Worked overnight shifts to help out the store when needed. There's usually very few people who do this, and you can probably name all the one's that do off the top of your head.
-Volunteered for Inventory Prep every year. Having someone reliable and efficient during Inventory Prep is a gift.
-Built a good relationship with MET. They know I've been around the block. Issues with projects, locating merchandise, addressing POG issues, POP, displays, etc. They know they can come to me and I'll have the solution.
There's more stuff I left out, but you get the idea.
I'm currently a HiPo (High Potential) DH that is scheduled to take the RMA (Retail Management Assessment) later on this year. I've been with the company for awhile, always declining the interview to become a DS, but finally decided to invest in my future with the company while I'm here. I have only been in position a little over a year and have the possibility to be an ASM after only being a DH for a year and a half. I'm taking the steps I need with management to ensure that I'm demonstrating I'm capable of performing an ASM's roles and responsibilities and showing I'm the best qualified for the position.