Team Leader in Hardware

Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 4 Location: quakertown, pa

I applied for a zone manager job, I had 2 interviews on the first day, waiting for the background check to go through...the only jobs they had available were a csa in lumber and a team leader in hardware....with managment experience I think ill be able to move through the ranks pretty quickly, but I don't know what to expect with the team leader in hardware.....if its a job that is often left for the new guy or what the case is? Any advice would be helpful

Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 4 Location: quakertown, pa

25 views and no replys...come on people!

Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 25

If your aim is management (which I'm guessing since you applied for zone manager), then the team lead position is definitely the way to go. After you've been at Lowe's for six months, you can apply for the EMTP (entry managment training program), which is a class for future department managers. And then, once you've been a department manager for six months, you can apply for MTP (management training program), which is training for future zone managers. I think your store is being smart by starting you as a team leader. It may seem like a waste, but really, I am so tired of outside hire managers who have no idea how Lowe's is run. I know a lot of people think retail management is retail management, but really, if you move up through the ranks, you will build a better foundation for becoming a senior manager and associates will respect you.

Hardware (in my store) is one of the busiest departments. As team lead, you'll be responsible for writing worklists, performing the price audit, downstocking and general maintainance. They don't just throw team lead positions at people, so my guess is they saw potential in you and thought it would be a better fit than lumber CSA.

Anyway, good luck.

Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 4 Location: quakertown, pa

Awesome advice I really appreciate you taking the tike to reply....anyone know of any bonuses as a team leader or anything? I was reading zone managers bonus and spiff and was wondering what the team lead gets if anything other then base pay. The store is the only in a 15 mile raduis in a well populated area so I would imagine quotas are being hit all the time.

Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 25

As a team leader, you will not be eligible for bonus. Department Managers can get an extra $250/month bonus if they surpass their budget.

Specialists also get bonuses, but margin plays a large part in how much they get. I think they can earn up to $500 a month. Not to mention the commissions they earn on Special order sales. Sometimes manufacturers will run their own promotions and offer double commissions, or have contests (a commercial sales specialist at our store won a boat one year). Commissions are not limited to specialists...anyone who is special order certified (there is a test), is eligible for commission.

As team leader in hardware, you won't be selling a lot of SOS, so I think your best bet is to become department manager as soon as you're eligible so you can start earning those bonuses.

I made bonus once as a specialist (a whopping $80) and once as a department manager...and though it is taxed, having a little extra in your paycheck is always nice.

Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 89

There's a tad of sos but not much. Get familar with whitehall product. They sell a bit (the signs that is) that's the main money there. sos knobs you get so little but it's there.

hillman product is a pain. Sort it out before you put it away. It makes it faster. Stainless product sells quickly. Hillman can take a half day maybe a day depending on things.

they might have you rekey locks. Anyone looking for "master" rekeying it's in sos under the m2o. it is EXTREAMLY pricey (lowes probably can't do it because they aren't licensed or bonded)

The metal takes awhile too but there might still be a vendor for it...

get on good relations with the psa.

making keys is easy...just can't copy if it says "do not copy". if a key is chipped electronically can't really do because if it screws up the system can't be held liable

also you'd be covering tools as well......

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 226

Just remember like Dovell said not to make copies of the do not duplicate keys. Doesn't matter the reason the customer tries to give you. Let them know that unfortunately they will not be able to get a copy at our store. This is for their safety as well as wherever they got the key from. Lowe's isn't licensed to duplicate those type of keys.

As far as master keying, let the customer know they need to contact a locksmith to have that service provided.

I've had customers and managers try to demand that I make a "do not duplicate" key and I refused. I stepped aside and told the manager if he wanted to do it and put Lowe's at risk then it's up to him to make the damned key. He turned to the customer and said sorry but we can't copy your key.

Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 21

For sure. No way do I make a "do not duplicate" copy. Master key can be done by SOS through HSI, I believe, but, if something is wrong, it is a pain to fix. Keep your head on your shoulders when you "explode" your first lock. Pins go flying everywhere and you just need to put your following tool in the other end and load the entire lock over again. Sometimes, I have had some problems with Hickory Hardware, getting SOS orders taken care of. Hardware is a blast. For years I have said it is the necessary evil of retail. You don't sell a nice door w/o a lock, vinyl siding w/o hammer, nails, saws, etc. To be a good hardware person, you must know where everything in the whole store is. Just because you don't have it in one place, don't mean it is not in three other places. On your lunch, break, or any spare time, walk the store, see where your dept. j-hooks and sattelite sidestacks may be. Know all you can about the product, I used to get trade mags on for new products, it all works, but most of all, take care of the customer, and they will come to you for whatever they need. This is not a bad thing, either. When they can depend on your word and work, you are not in hardware, you Are hardware.

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