Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Footwear Advisor

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a dynamic and customer-centric Footwear Advisor to be the face of our brand and the expert on our product line. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for creating an unparalleled customer experience by identifying individual needs, providing personalized fit solutions, and sharing in-depth product knowledge. You are more than a salesperson; you are a trusted consultant who helps customers make confident decisions, whether they're finding the perfect running shoe, a stylish everyday sneaker, or a technical hiking boot. Your passion for footwear and your ability to connect with people will directly contribute to achieving sales targets, fostering customer loyalty, and upholding our reputation for quality and service.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Retail Sales Associate
Customer Service Representative
Brand Ambassador / Intern

Advancement To:

Senior Footwear Advisor / Fit Specialist Lead
Assistant Store Manager
Store Manager

Lateral Moves:

Visual Merchandiser
Inventory Control Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Proactively engage and welcome every customer, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere to initiate a positive shopping experience and build immediate rapport.
Conduct thorough, personalized needs assessments through active listening and strategic questioning to understand the customer's intended use, style preferences, and any specific fit requirements or concerns.
Provide expert-level fit sessions, which include accurately measuring both feet, assessing foot type and arch, and potentially performing gait analysis to recommend the most suitable footwear.
Articulate the specific features, benefits, and underlying technology of different footwear models to educate the customer and empower them to make an informed purchasing decision.
Drive sales by confidently recommending specific footwear, insoles, socks, and other related accessories that complement the customer's primary purchase and enhance their overall experience.
Master and fluently operate the Point of Sale (POS) system to efficiently process sales, returns, exchanges, and special orders, ensuring accuracy and a smooth checkout process.
Actively work to meet and exceed individual and team sales goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and other performance metrics set by management.
Build and maintain a loyal client base through exceptional service, follow-up communication, and managing a client book to inform customers of new arrivals and promotions.
Handle customer inquiries, concerns, and complaints with professionalism and empathy, finding effective solutions to ensure customer satisfaction and retention.
Stay current with all new product arrivals, seasonal collections, and industry trends, continuously building your expertise to be a credible and reliable resource for customers and colleagues.
Guide customers through the entire sales floor, demonstrating a comprehensive knowledge of all product locations and categories within the store.
Serve as a brand ambassador, embodying the company's values and passion for footwear in every customer interaction.
Participate in and provide feedback during team meetings and training sessions to enhance product knowledge and refine sales techniques.

Secondary Functions

Assist in inventory management, including receiving shipments, unboxing merchandise, stocking the sales floor, and organizing the back-stock areas to ensure product is accessible and accounted for.
Contribute to the store's visual merchandising by ensuring all footwear displays are clean, well-organized, and presented according to company standards and marketing directives.
Diligently maintain the cleanliness and organization of the sales floor, fitting areas, and stockroom to create a premium and safe shopping environment.
Collaborate effectively with team members to ensure seamless customer service, manage floor coverage, and support colleagues during peak traffic periods.
Communicate product performance, stock level issues, and customer feedback to the store management team to help inform buying decisions and operational improvements.
Support loss prevention efforts by maintaining floor awareness, adhering to all security procedures, and reporting any suspicious activity.
Assist with the execution of in-store promotions, marketing events, and special activations aimed at driving traffic and sales.
Participate in regular inventory cycle counts and annual stocktakes to ensure the accuracy of store inventory records.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Point-of-Sale (POS) Systems: Proficiency in operating retail POS software for transactions, returns, and inventory look-up.
Product Knowledge: Deep understanding of footwear construction, materials, technologies (e.g., cushioning systems, support features), and brand-specific details.
Fit & Sizing Expertise: Skill in using Brannock devices or other foot-measuring tools and understanding the nuances of different brand sizing.
Gait Analysis: Experience with or ability to be trained on treadmill or pressure-plate gait analysis to recommend running and athletic shoes.
Inventory Management: Basic knowledge of stock control procedures, including receiving, stocking, and cycle counting.
Sales Techniques: Knowledge of up-selling, cross-selling, and clienteling strategies to maximize sales opportunities.

Soft Skills

Exceptional Communication: The ability to clearly and engagingly explain complex product features and build natural, friendly conversations with a diverse range of customers.
Active Listening & Empathy: A genuine desire to listen to and understand customer needs and concerns, showing empathy towards their goals and challenges.
Customer-First Mindset: A relentless focus on providing a positive, memorable, and solution-oriented experience for every single customer.
Persuasive Salesmanship: The ability to influence purchasing decisions ethically and effectively by building trust and demonstrating value.
Problem-Solving: The capacity to think quickly and find effective solutions for customer issues, stock challenges, or other unexpected situations.
Teamwork & Collaboration: A cooperative spirit and willingness to support colleagues, share knowledge, and contribute to a positive team environment.
Passion & Enthusiasm: A genuine passion for footwear, fitness, fashion, and the brands you represent, which translates into authentic customer interactions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Kinesiology or Exercise Science
Business or Marketing
Fashion Merchandising

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of experience in a customer-facing role.

Preferred:

Previous experience in footwear retail, specialty running stores, or sporting goods.
A proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales goals in a commission-based or goal-oriented environment.
Personal interest or participation in activities relevant to the product (e.g., running, hiking, sports).