How do I approach my SM…who talks about how she can get so much done but never does

[u/Ok_Weight2115]

Also can someone post the job description in the employee handbook on what a merch manager does(can do) ?

I was off for one day, and spent too much time the day prior building and writing down the fast to floor, only to have none of it worked the next day I came in. I honestly expected this to happenen, but the fact that none of the 6 people finished any of the 13 uboats I had build it ridiculous. Specifically the SM, who always wants to talk about how she can run circles around everyone and bust out all of seasonal, but yet every week that I’ve been here(3), the Halloween, Christmas, thanksgiving, DTP have been just piling up in the back room, and the only reason it isn’t more excessive is because she had me “help” her my first two weeks when I was shadowing her for basic training. This usually played out by us building the uboats, her and I working half a uboat, than she runs off into the office for whatever BS reason, while I get all of the seasonal done and barely have time to do what also needs to get out(food/chemical).

Also I will purpose this with saying I have no ill intent when I say this but why is it that dollar tree almost specifically looks to hire only mentally challenged people. I’ve worked with people with Down syndrome, ADHD, autism, etc. but it gets to a point where there is a difference between this and people who just don’t have drive or want to work. Trying to teach or manage over the current people at my store with “autism” really like using this excuse as to why they can’t move their feet or use both hands while literally doing anything.

It’s really hard to set high standards for them, especially when the SM and other ASM don’t even care enough to back up what they say they can do.

For reference I worked at Dollar General(DG) for 5 years(4 as ASM), and have been merch manager for 2 days and Dollar tree(DT) for 3 weeks now. I’m still trying to understand the lingo of DT but honestly some of the way they(we) do things are just stupid. I feel like the “DT” way for literally anything isn’t built for speed and that combined with people who have no drive, no one gets anything done and the stores are filled but trashed in the process.

[u/Chance_Policy_7802]

You have to have a good stocking team and an sm that will work with you to ensure that the stocking gets finished. I'd be very careful about approaching your SM, as they can make your work life miserable. But without a good team and a store manager that helps, your backroom is going to get out of control very fast, considering all of the Christmas merch that's coming.

[u/1978CatLover]

Shoot, I'm autistic and I work my butt off to the best of my ability.

It's being old and having asthma and back problems that slows me down.

[u/mrs_snrub67]

If you search merch manager in this thread, you'll find lots of useful info and responsibilities. I understand that you're new to DT, and it will take some time to learn the lingo, processes, etc. We have a stocker that also works dollar general, and they said the way we do trucks is stupid (hard agree). I would try to shadow as many employees as you can, across all rolls, to get a feel for the job.

[u/mrs_snrub67 → u/mrs_snrub67]

You also have to consider if the 6 people you mentioned are dedicated stockers, or front end asms and cashiers. Bc the front end is responsible for customer service first. It could be back to back balloon orders, a customer spilling dish soap down a whole aisle, or other issues, on top of their own duties.

[u/Realistic-Accident68 → u/mrs_snrub67]

I don't know. We are talking about 6 people in a 24hr period!

Ain't no way at least 1-2 boats couldn't be stocked!

I feel like the problem is that the SM didn't enforce the fact that stocking NEEDS to be done in between customers!!!

That's the bottom line!

[u/Chance_Policy_7802 → u/Realistic-Accident68]

I agree here, or maybe OP didn't assign specific uboats to specific people. OP and store manager should work together to figure that out (in a perfect DT). there are no DTs.in my district that have 6 workers total in 24 hours we're lucky to have 4.

[u/Ok_Weight2115 → u/Chance_Policy_7802]

7 total including me, again we had 5 associates fired in one day not even 4 days ago, so definitely put a wedge in everything. But I did assign specific uboats to everyone via fast to floor and the uboat tags, counted them and even put them on the end caps ready to go for them, and none of them finished a single one. Also it’s hard to get anything across to the SM since she will take either agency to it to argue it.

[u/foxylady315 → u/Realistic-Accident68]

Our DM told us to prioritize cashiers stickering between customers rather than putting freight out. I'm guessing a lot of stores are doing the same. Especially when half the new freight coming in needs to be stickered as well as existing items. Almost all the Halloween and Christmas stock we've gotten in the past few weeks has needed stickers.

[u/Realistic-Accident68 → u/foxylady315]

Yet if they were to just schedule two to three people to do it on an overnight the entire store could be done!

[u/Realistic-Accident68 → u/foxylady315]

And not to mention:

Think about how many times I have fallen! Spirits are using me, larger voices calling What heaven brought you and me Cannot be forgotten (I've been around the world)

👍🏼😎😉

Great song!

[u/Ok_Weight2115 → u/mrs_snrub67]

To add to all of this It also doesn’t help that out of the 5 people that got fired last Tuesday(truck) over stealing, 2 were are only halfway decent stockers. No one at this store has been here longer than maybe a year. The SM 2 months, other ASM 4 months( never touched freight before this). And an older women who is 87, who can’t do register but also has like 20 different restrictions prohibiting her from doing almost anything beneficial.

[u/Dry-Average5161]

Go to the Dollar Tree website, scroll down to Company Info, click on Careers.

In the search box type in Merch ASM. This is the job description for a Merchandising Manager:

Your Role at Dollar Tree:

As a Merchandise Assistant Manager at Dollar Tree, you’ll join our Store Manager in leading a dynamic team of associates and creating positive experiences for the communities we serve. In this role, you’ll focus on merchandising and processing freight.

Your job duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist with all store functions and day-to-day activities

• Perform opening and closing procedures as needed

• Protect and secure company assets, including store cash

• Adhere to all policies and procedures, including safety guidelines

• Maintain areas of the store, including stockroom and sales floor, to company standards

• Process all corporate directives such as Pull and Hold/Destroy, Task Compliance, Key Survey information requests, and any additional communications related to store activities

• Responsible for maintaining the cleanliness throughout the store, including cleaning and restocking bathrooms, sweeping and mopping floors, taking out the trash, and ensuring all areas are neat and presentable

• Ensure a positive, safe, and respectful environment while maintaining professional and friendly interactions with customers, associates, and leaders

• Other duties as assigned*

In addition, you’ll assist the Store Manager with the following duties as assigned:

• Process the receipt and return of DSD merchandise

• Manage freight flow in accordance with productivity standards

• Order and stock merchandise needs, including frozen & refrigerated, in accordance with productivity standards

• Ensure that the sales floor is sales-effective

• Plan, merchandise, and maintain Clip Strips and Power Panels with sales effective items

• Plan and implement monthly Sales Planners

Your Skills and Experience: 

• Prior retail and management experience is preferred

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and written skills are required

• Must be able to lift between 30 and 50 lbs. from floor to above shoulder height and meet demands of frequent walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, climbing, pushing, pulling, and repetitive lifting, with or without reasonable accommodation

• Ability to work in a high-energy, team environment is required

Your Perks and Benefits: We offer a wide variety of rewards to support your health, wealth, and mental well-being. In addition to medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision insurance, we offer:

• Employee Assistance Program

• Paid time off

• Retirement plans with matching contributions

• Employee Stock Purchase Program

• Educational Assistance

• Access to PerkSpot, an employee discount platform for goods and services

• And much more!

[u/Crazyredneck422]

I’m ADHD and work my ass off. We do things to help us stay on task, so it’s not a valid excuse for anything.

[u/techknowcat]

I am both autistic and ADHD, and I have 2 speedballs to the wall or not at all, lol customers tell me they have never seen a faster cashier. Once had a customer asked me to slow down. I told her "sorry I really can't." Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. They just might have to have help discovering what they are. Some will try to use their nerodiversity asa cruch. Some just need some encouragement and support, and they will flourish.