UNIQLO Management Candidate (UMC) - New Grad

Similar Industry Titles and Key Words: Store Manager in Training, Retail Store Management Trainee, Store Management Development Program, Retail Leadership Program 

Department: UNIQLO stores, On-Site  

Reporting to: Store Manager and Store Learning & Development Trainer 

Start: January 2027, July 2027 

Salary Range*: $80,000 - $82,000 

Duration: approximately 12 months 

Location: U.S. Store Location assigned based on business expansion plans. Relocation, housing costs, and all other benefits listed below are subject to company policy. 

Our UNIQLO Management Candidate (UMC) Program is shaped to prepare you to become an impactful store manager. As a UNIQLO Store Manager you will take on many roles, such as an innovator, talent developer, problem solver, and above all a global business leader. You will join a community of passionate and diverse peers in this training program, which is expected to last approximately twelve months. You will be assigned to work in one of our U.S. stores where you will take on the responsibility of a business owner, overseeing sales & inventory planning, layout and visual merchandising, profit and loss, people management, and customer satisfaction. 

As a member of the Store Management team, you embody Company’s philosophy of “Changing Clothes. Changing Conventional Wisdom. Change the World,” by driving sales and profit with your team and building customer loyalty through excellent customer service. Under the mentorship of your Store Manager/Trainer, you will oversee an engaged, productive store team by leading by example through demonstrating strong leadership and initiative.  

As a UMC, you will be learning from your trainer how to support the store and team in the following areas:  

Store Operations 

• Manage opening, mid-day, and closing store procedures 

• Oversee cleanliness, organization, and visual merchandising standards 

• Execute daily stock replenishment and manage backroom efficiency 

• Support point-of-sale and customer service operations 

Leadership & Management 

• Coach and develop associates through feedback and performance conversations 

• Support recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and retention initiatives 

• Build a positive and inclusive team culture 

• Learn workforce planning and talent management practices 

Sales Planning & Review 

• Understand and manage store profitability 

• Analyze labor, sales, and productivity metrics 

• Develop action plans to achieve business goals 

• Learn strategic decision-making through retail business reviews

Training & Development 

• Engage in hands-on mentorship with Area Managers, Store Managers or Learning & Development Trainer 

• Participate in district and regional business reviews 

• Gain exposure to multi-store leadership and business planning 

Anticipated Career Path: 

After successful completion of the UMC Program, candidates are typically placed into an Assistant Store Manager position. From there, high-performing leaders may progress through the following career path: 

• Store Manager 

• General Manager/Area Manager 

To learn more about Careers at UNIQLO please visit: https://careers-us.uniqlo.com/  

Required Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s Degree (open to all majors) 

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship now and in the future. 

• Available to join in-person orientation at our New York City office and NYC Training store during the first two weeks of the program. 

• Flexibility to relocate to various locations over the course of your career  

• Flexible work schedule, which could include early mornings, late nights, or overnights as well as weekends and holidays 

• Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodations 

• Previous retail, food & beverage, hospitality, or sales leadership experience 

• Strong leadership experience and work ethic  

• Analytical and intuitive mindset to drive innovative processes and compliance with various laws that impact the business  

• Passion for customer service  

• Ability to adapt and multi-task in a fast-changing environment  

• Team player mentality  

• Ability to capture fundamental issues, out of box thinking, and challenging the status-quo 

General Benefits  

• Relocation assistance depending on distance 

• Competitive paid time off package  

• 401K plan  

• Medical, dental, vision coverage  

• Medical flexible spending account  

• Transit flexible spending account  

• Short- and long-term disability  

• Employee assistance program  

• Merchandise discount  

• Relocation assistance may be provided for the first three months of training, depending on distance 

Physical Demands: This position involves constant moving, talking, hearing, reaching, and standing.  Involves standing for at least two consecutive hours. Involves lifting at least 30 lbs. May occasionally involve stooping, kneeling, crouching, and climbing ladders. Vision abilities include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. May involve reaching above eye level. Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodations. 

Next Steps:  

Before being considered for interviews, a pre-screening questionnaire will be given to selected applicants. 

The interview process consists of three rounds of virtual interviews: 

1. Recruiter Interview 

2. Store Manager/Director Interview 

3. Interview Preparation 

4. C-Suite and HR Leader Interview  

Please expect a 4-6 week turnaround time. We will start interviewing around early September (applications may close early if there is an influx of candidates)! 

Salary: 

*The offered salary or salary range is based on several factors, including, but not limited to, overall experience, relevant experience, education level, certifications, applicable skills and expertise, and location of the position. Start dates are subject to change based on business needs. 

NOTICE FOR CALIFORNIA JOB APPLICANTS AND EMPLOYEES: For information regarding how we handle your personal information and to exercise your rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act, please see our Privacy Policy at Uniqlo.com. 

We hope to see you soon!

The Company is committed to equal pay initiatives and will not ask candidates for their current or past salary.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Fast Retailing does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, age, citizenship, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or because of any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state or local law.