Assistant Store Manager

Company: Journeys (Genesco)

Location: Edmonton, AB

Employment Type: Permanent Full-Time (45 hours per week)

Compensation: Base Pay + Sales Commission + Bonus Potential

Clean Professional Job Summary

Journeys, a retail powerhouse in youth culture and footwear, is looking for an energetic Assistant Store Manager for its Edmonton operations. This isn’t just a management job; it’s a role for a “culture leader” who thrives in a fast-paced, inclusive environment where self-expression is celebrated. You will assist the Store Manager in recruiting, training, and coaching a high-caliber sales team to exceed goals while maintaining the “Attitude That Cares” philosophy. From managing daily operations and loss prevention to driving personal sales and resolving customer issues, you will be the engine that keeps the store’s energy high and its performance on track.

Key Responsibilities

Sales Leadership: Meet and exceed both store-wide and personal sales targets while maintaining high performance standards.
Team Development: Assist in recruiting, hiring, and training a diverse team of “passionate staff” to deliver a full-service customer experience.
Operational Oversight: Supervise all aspects of daily store operations and loss prevention in the absence of the Store Manager.
Coaching & Accountability: Provide real-time feedback and coaching to employees, enforcing company policies and recognizing talent for internal promotion.
Culture Ambassadorship: Embrace and demonstrate the Journeys culture—an inclusive, energetic, and youth-focused retail environment.
Financial Duties: Complete bank deposits and manage administrative tasks to protect company assets and control expenses.

Required Qualifications & Skills

Experience: 6–12 months of retail sales experience (prior retail management experience is preferred).
Availability: Ability to work 45 hours per week, including nights and weekends.
Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication and customer service abilities with a desire to succeed in a fast-paced setting.
Physicality: Ability to stand for long periods, climb, reach, bend, and lift up to 50 lbs.
Age: Must be at least 18 years of age.
Drive: A willingness to learn and complete all necessary training programs for career advancement.

About the Company: Journeys

With over 800 stores across North America, Journeys is a leader in teen retail, carrying iconic brands like Vans, Dr. Martens, Converse, and Crocs. They are known for a “Family” culture that promotes heavily from within and rewards top performers through a unique commission-and-bonus structure.

Market & Industry Context: Edmonton Youth Retail (2026)

As of early 2026, the retail landscape in Edmonton is experiencing a strong “Human-Centric” shift as Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers prioritize in-person experiences over pure e-commerce.

Industry Trends & Labor Data:

The “Commission” Edge: In 2026, Journeys remains one of the few major teen retailers offering a commission-based structure for managers. This attracts highly competitive leaders who want their income tied directly to their output.
Retail Demographics: In 2026, the retail workforce in Alberta is one of the most diverse in Canada. Genesco (Journeys) emphasizes equal opportunity; recent 2025 industry reports show that approximately 52% of retail management roles in major Canadian hubs are held by women, and representation of racialized groups in leadership has grown by 14% year-over-year.
Youth Culture Hub: Edmonton’s malls (including West Edmonton Mall) continue to be primary “Third Spaces” for youth. Assistant Managers who can bridge the gap between digital trends and in-store community building are in high demand.

Career Growth & Progression Path

Manager In Training (MIT): Formalize your leadership skills to take on your own store location.
Store Manager: Take full P&L responsibility for an Edmonton-area Journeys, managing larger teams and higher inventory volumes.
District Manager: Oversee a portfolio of stores across Alberta or Western Canada.
Corporate Recruitment/Training: Transition into a regional role focusing on finding and developing the next generation of Journeys talent.

Interview Preparation Insights

The “Journeys Attitude”: They are looking for “Attitude That Cares.” Be ready to share a story about how you helped a teammate succeed or went the extra mile for a difficult customer.
Sales Prowess: Since this role includes commission, be prepared to talk about your “numbers.” How have you contributed to a store’s UPT (Units Per Transaction) or ADS (Average Dollar Sale) in the past?
Leadership in Absence: You will be managing the store alone at times. Think about a time you had to make a quick decision or resolve a conflict without a supervisor’s help.
Brand Knowledge: Know the brands. If a teen walks in asking for the latest Dr. Martens or UGGs, you should be able to speak to the “cool factor” of those items immediately.

Perks & Benefits

Incentive-Based Pay: Base pay plus commission and bonus potential, allowing for high earning potential.
Cool Environment: Work in a high-energy, music-driven, and fun atmosphere.
Individuality: A culture where your personal style and self-expression are encouraged.
Discounts & Perks: Excellent employee discounts on the footwear brands you already love.

Community Focus: Opportunities for paid community service and volunteer hours.

Category	Details & Specifications
Employer	Genesco
Location	Edmonton, AB (Major Malls like West Edmonton or Southgate)
Hours	45 hours per week (Includes nights and weekends)
Compensation	Base Pay + Sales Commission + Bonus Potential
Experience	6–12 months retail sales; Management experience preferred
Physical Req.	Standing for long periods; lifting up to 50 lbs

Role Breakdown: Driving the “Attitude”

As an Assistant Store Manager (ASM) at Journeys, you are the secondary engine of the store. You transition from a high-performing salesperson to a leader responsible for the development of the “sales floor culture.”

Sales Leadership: Meeting personal sales quotas while simultaneously coaching the team to hit store-wide metrics. Journeys is a commission-based environment, making this a high-energy, results-oriented role.
Talent Development: Assisting the Store Manager in recruiting, hiring, and training “high caliber” employees who fit the high-energy teen retail brand.
Operational Oversight: Managing bank deposits, inventory flow, and loss prevention protocols. You are the acting authority in the absence of the Store Manager or Manager In Training.
Brand Ambassadorship: Implementing company initiatives (visual merchandising, marketing launches) to the exact corporate standard to maintain the “universal youth culture” vibe.

2026 Edmonton Retail & Journeys Insights

Journeys occupies a specific niche in the Edmonton market, catering to a diverse and trend-conscious youth demographic.

Commission-Driven Culture: Unlike many other mall retailers in 2026, Journeys maintains a strong commission structure. For an ASM in Edmonton, this often means a base salary of $42,000 – $48,000, with the potential to clear $55,000+ through consistent sales performance and bonuses.
Teen Retail Demographics: In 2026, Edmonton’s “youth” segment (ages 15–24) remains a primary economic driver for Northside and West-end malls. Statistical data indicates that Indigenous and Filipino-Canadian youth represent two of the fastest-growing demographics in Edmonton, directly influencing the local “streetwear” and “skate” trends that Journeys stocks.
Footwear Dominance: With brands like Hey Dude, Crocs, and Dr. Martens remaining staples in 2026, ASMs must stay ahead of “drop dates” and viral social media trends that drive sudden spikes in specific inventory.
Promotion from Within: Journeys is known for its “Rapid Promotion” track. In 2026, an ASM who hits their numbers can often move into a Store Manager or Manager In Training role within 6–12 months.

Critical Requirements & Skills

Interpersonal Energy: You must be “friendly and passionate.” Journeys filters for people who can maintain a fun, high-energy environment even during the 45-hour work week.
Schedule Flexibility: The 45-hour requirement means you are essentially “on” for the busiest mall hours, including late Thursday/Friday nights and full weekends.
Technical Logistics: Proficiency in back-of-house operations—handling cash deposits, managing “shrink” (theft prevention), and navigating POS reporting systems.

Total Rewards & Benefits

Incentive Structure: One of the few retail roles where you directly control your income through sales performance.
Individuality: Unlike more rigid corporate retailers, Journeys encourages “self-expression,” allowing for tattoos, piercings, and unique personal styles that resonate with their teen customers.
Community Focus: Access to community service hours and volunteer programs, aligning with Genesco’s “Attitude That Cares” philosophy.

Application Insider Tips

Showcase Your “Numbers”: Journeys loves a “closer.” On your resume, don’t just say you sold shoes; say, “Consistently ranked in the Top 10% for sales conversion in my district.”
Emphasize Training: ASMs are teachers. Prepare a story about a time you mentored a new hire who eventually became a top seller.
Culture Fit: During the interview, demonstrate that you understand “Journeys Culture”—which is fast-paced, inclusive, and music/art-oriented. Mentioning your knowledge of the brands they carry (like Vans or Converse) is a baseline requirement.

To apply for this job please visit careers.genesco.com.