Apple Stores Getting All-New 'Lead' and 'Schedule Planner' Positions

[MacRumors]

MacRumors has learned that Apple is introducing two all-new Apple Store positions named Lead and Schedule Planner. Apple today informed existing retail employees that applications open Monday, July 24, although it appears that select stores started interviewing candidates as early as a few weeks ago.

Apple says the Lead position will give team members the chance to learn the ins and outs of running an Apple Store firsthand. The majority of a Lead's time will be spent as the Support Leader on the Floor, responsible for managing employee breaks and zoning in the store, and addressing customer concerns.

Support Leader on the Floor also entails communicating daily objectives, reinforcing store policies, and motivating team members by delivering feedback for career development, according to one employee's LinkedIn profile.

Apple says Leads will also support opening and closing, and perform a number of other administrative responsibilities, suggesting these employees could be key holders, count and balance cash, and be able to perform overrides when necessary. These have typically been duties carried out by the Store Manager.

It appears that Store Managers will continue to perform some of those responsibilities, in addition to HR and store development.

Meanwhile, working closely with Store Leaders, Apple says the majority of a Schedule Planner's time will be spent planning and creating the weekly schedule for the entire store. Schedule Planners will also identify trends and make resourcing recommendations to improve team and customer experiences.

Article Link: Apple Stores Getting All-New 'Lead' and 'Schedule Planner' Positions

 

[macduke]

We need more Apple Stores—especially outside of huge cities. There are a lot of gaps.

 

[Osxguy]

SHould be called an intern to a management position. Or it could also be called a carrot with the hope of management or corporate. I’ve seen this before at other now defunct companies. Circuit city being one. The customer service manager position, you did all the work and non of the pay.... good luck.

 

[Tsuchiya]

Formal titles and positions for roles that have existed for some time...

 

[paul4339]

Those Apple employees in that pic look very happy... are they finishing their shift or starting their shift?

 

[44267547]

SHould be called an intern to a management position. Or it could also be called a carrot with the hope of management or corporate. I’ve seen this before at other now defunct companies. Circuit city being one. The customer service manager position, you did all the work and non of the pay.... good luck.

I think you're reading to deep into this. Apple is trying to better the store experience by shifting responsibilities to allow the store and personnel coordinate more efficiently. Companies make changes to configure a smoother operation and divide the responsibilities accordingly. It's not abnormal.

 

[nvmls]

I think you're reading to deep into this. Apple is trying to better the store experience by shifting responsibilities to allow the store and personnel coordinate more efficiently. Companies make changes to configure a smoother operation and divide the responsibilities accordingly. It's not abnormal.

Oh ok, you should apply!

 

[s15119]

From my experience, being a lead is the worst job in the shop. All the responsibility and none of the authority. But it's the stepping stone to manager, so....

 

[44267547]

Oh ok, you should apply!

Thanks for your suggestion. Although I am currently employed full time. But I certainly wouldn't mind working for Apple. I can appreciate their work ethic and customer service relations.

 

[Rocketman]

Obviously influenced by https://www.apple.com/leadership/angela-ahrendts/

 

[Bart Kela]

SHould be called an intern to a management position. Or it could also be called a carrot with the hope of management or corporate. I’ve seen this before at other now defunct companies. Circuit city being one. The customer service manager position, you did all the work and non of the pay.... good luck.

Intern implies short-term, relatively inexperienced and often unpaid.

By using these titles, Apple is creating two assistant manager positions likely without making them official management nor bestowing the "manager" title.

In a different industry, they would be called foremen. Some industries do use "lead" as an adjective.

It might be better off to use these kind of titles. As soon as you slap a manager title on an Apple Retail employee, they will probably start wistfully dreaming about moving to Apple corporate. The chances of that are extremely small, so it's wise not to set unattainably high expectations for upward mobility.

 

[44267547]

Obviously influenced by https://www.apple.com/leadership/angela-ahrendts/

Of course, she is the Senior Vice President of Retail for Apple. Her input and guidance would obviously follow suit in employee changes such as these.

 

[iapplelove]

We need more Apple Stores—especially outside of huge cities. There are a lot of gaps.

I live in the smallest state but lucky enough to have 3 apple stores within an hour. Literally one about 5 minutes away. I always felt bad for those that are not fortunate enough to live close to one. They really do come in handy!

 

[Urban Joe]

Those Apple employees in that pic look very happy... are they finishing their shift or starting their shift?

They prob just got an internal memo stating the iPhone 8 would be months delayed

 

[thisisnotmyname]

SHould be called an intern to a management position. Or it could also be called a carrot with the hope of management or corporate. I’ve seen this before at other now defunct companies. Circuit city being one. The customer service manager position, you did all the work and non of the pay.... good luck.

Well aren't you a ray of sunshine I hope someday you'll move on from your past bad experiences and into a bright new day.

 

[Boatboy24]

OK, for those playing along at home: "Lead" = Assistant Manager; "Schedule Planner" = Assistant to the Assistant Manager; "VP of People" = VP of HR. Got it? Good.

 

[pat500000]

I wonder what's the intellectual level requirement for these position?

 

[britboyj]

Apple says the Lead position will give team members the chance to learn the ins and outs of running an Apple Store firsthand. The majority of a Lead's time will be spent as the Support Leader on the Floor, responsible for managing employee breaks and zoning in the store, and addressing customer concerns.

This sounds like a great way to make people do more work, for less money than the people they're already paying to do it.

Apple tried this a few years ago with the "Apple Store Leader Program" which would guarantee people an assistant store leader gig after a 2 year "internship" at about $50K a year, depending on region. It appears that's been discontinued for some time and replaced by... Well this.

 

[osxpinot]

This is all about $, don't believe any differently. Basic managers at Apple can make $80k/year. Years ago they had a "lead specialist" position that was eliminated and they hired a bunch of managers to replace them. Now they're realizing how expensive managers are, so they'll just hire "Leads" instead.

 

[kkamann]

Those Apple employees in that pic look very happy... are they finishing their shift or starting their shift?

Perhaps they are riding down the escalator on Planet of the Apps...

 

[Blackstick]

This sounds like a great way to make people do more work, for less money than the people they're already paying to do it.

Apple tried this a few years ago with the "Apple Store Leader Program" which would guarantee people an assistant store leader gig after a 2 year "internship" at about $50K a year, depending on region. It appears that's been discontinued for some time and replaced by... Well this.

Was about $41k. Was a genius for several years, store isn't what it used to be. Moved to corporate IT and tripled my salary.

 

[LethalOptical]

Dwight: I'm Assistant Regional Manager. I should know first.
Michael: Assistant TO the Regional Manager.

 

[FelixDerKater]

Right along side VP of People.

 

[Packers1958]

You know you have an important job title when you manage employee breaks.

 

[Tech198]

Lets see were this goes