How To Become a Target Team Leader: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn about the steps important to pursuing a career as a target team leader, including education, skills, salary and more.
Target team leaders are responsible for managing a team of employees in a Target store. They are responsible for ensuring that the team meets sales goals and provides excellent customer service. Target team leaders also oversee the training and development of team members. If you are interested in becoming a Target team leader, it is helpful to know the job requirements, duties and responsibilities associated with this position. In this article, we discuss what a Target team leader does and how to become one.
What Does a Target Team Leader Do?
Target team leaders are responsible for managing a team of employees in a Target store. They oversee the day-to-day operations of their department and ensure that all team members are providing excellent customer service. Target team leaders also train new employees, create work schedules and resolve any conflicts that may arise.
The duties of a Target team leader include:
- Leading and motivating a team of employees
- Providing training and development opportunities for team members
- Creating work schedules and ensuring adequate coverage
- Monitoring team performance and giving feedback
- Resolving conflict among team members
- Ensuring that all team members are providing excellent customer service
- Assist with stocking shelves and other tasks as needed
- Completing paperwork and administrative tasks
Target Team Leader Salary and Job Outlook
The average salary for a target team leader is $48,410. This figure can vary based on the level of experience, education, industry and geographical location of the leader.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects job prospects for target team leaders to decline over the next decade. This might result from an increase in the number of customers who choose to fulfill their prescriptions using online services rather than visiting a pharmacy in person.
How to Become a Target Team Leader
Here are several steps you should take to become a target team leader.
1. Earn a high school diploma or equivalent
Target team leaders typically require a high school diploma or equivalent to apply for the position. Some colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees in retail management that can help prepare you for a career as a Target team leader, but this is not always necessary.
If you are currently working toward your high school diploma, consider taking classes in math, business and computer applications to better prepare yourself for a job in retail management.
2. Gain experience working in customer service or retail sales
Target team leaders usually have at least one year of experience working in a customer service or retail environment. Working as a cashier, sales associate or other type of customer service position can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to work as a target team leader.
Working in a retail environment also allows you to gain valuable experience interacting with customers and solving problems. This experience can help you prepare for your role as a target team leader.
3. Develop strong leadership and interpersonal skills
Target team leaders are responsible for supervising and training their teams, so it’s important to develop strong leadership skills. A Target team leader should be able to motivate their team members to work hard and provide excellent customer service. They also need good interpersonal skills to communicate with customers and other store employees in a professional and friendly manner.
It can help to take courses or read books on leadership and interpersonal skills to improve your abilities in these areas. You may also want to practice these skills by leading your family or friends instead of just working under someone else.
4. Be able to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends
Target team leaders are expected to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends. This is because many of the customers who shop at Target stores tend to do so during non-traditional hours. For example, some people prefer to go shopping after work or on the weekend.
As a result, it’s common for Target team leaders to have shifts that start in the evening and last until early morning. They may also need to work on weekends.
5. Take initiative to solve problems and provide excellent customer service
Target team leaders are responsible for ensuring that their store runs smoothly and that all customers have a positive shopping experience. If you notice an issue with the layout of your store or find that there is low inventory on a popular product, take initiative to solve the problem by contacting your manager or another department head.
You should also provide excellent customer service by greeting each shopper as they enter the store and asking how you can help them find what they’re looking for. You may also offer suggestions based on what’s currently in stock.
6. Be able to lift heavy objects and stand for long periods of time
As a Target team leader, you may be required to lift and move large boxes of merchandise. You may also need to stand for long periods of time while directing your team members or providing customer service. It is important that you are physically capable of performing these tasks in order to effectively manage your store’s operations.
7. Have good communication skills
Communication is an important part of the Target team leader role. You will need to be able to communicate effectively with your employees, as well as with customers and other store personnel. This means you should have a clear speaking voice and good listening skills. You should also be able to write clearly in order to send emails or memos to your staff.
