Archived New ETL

So I just signed on the proverbial dotted line and start next week. I have spent my career to now in grocery as a Co-Manager at two relatively large chains (small when compared to Target). What do I have to expect? Is the gig similar to most other retailers? Any tips for the training program/what to pay close attention to? Also I have seen a ton of stuff about ETL PG11, 13, etc... What are those? I'm pretty excited about the change and I promise that I'm not one of the terrible managers that are so often described on this site...

PG11, 13, etc. are paygrades. If you're an hourly worker, the higher your paygrade, the higher your wage and earning potential. I'm not certain how the paygrades work for ETLs and above.

Hey @BobtheETL, @Mhugh220, and any others I may have missed - we need a little help here.

@SpotthatTiger keep in mind that many of the alleged terrible managers on this site are the fictions of pissed off team members you'll do great!

Everyone's favorite ETL at our store is very upbeat, positive and makes work enjoyable. She's not afraid to joke with us and even plays some games over the walkies when it's slow (bad decision game - guess the decision the guest was making when abandoning the "chicken nuggets" in the "underwear aisle" or who can find the most out of date ad sign on ad take down night). I think we all work a little harder when she's the LOD because we just appreciate how she treats us. Good luck in your new position!

Yes, I find the ETL's that tend to make competitions or games out on the sales floor from "work" are very enjoyable to work with. At our store and I am sure it's a pretty common practice, whoever finds the oldest dated AD generally gets a wacky soda or some other random thing within reason. There's all kinds of things, sometimes they do whoever finds the most garbage in their zone, most reshop in their zone. Sooo many different ways to approach your new staff members to warm them up to you.

All in all if you were ever a TM yourself remember what it was like if you ever had an ETL that you couldn't stand and try to stay away from becoming what drove you away from them. That goes from any previous retail job experience you may of had though. Stay confident, not cocky... be energetic but not like your ramped up on a case of redbull, remain personable and open minded. Everything will go smoothly, but welcome =]

First of all, @SpotthatTiger - Welcome to Target! Second - I look forward to your perspective on Target's PFresh process. With your background being in grocery, their logistics process and sales could use some insight from a seasoned grocery manager. I say this because Target's yearly sales in grocery is -7% as a company when it has the potential for profitability.

You're already ahead of the game when it comes to expectations of the retail life. You'll work nights, days, weekends and holidays as expected in retail. Target will have similarities to other companies however they are very specific on how business is done. Don't worry about all the acronyms that will be thrown at you, you'll pick them up quickly. ETLs have pay-grades as well. The pay grade doesn't make you any more "in-charge" than another ETL, unless your org chart has ETLs who have ETLs underneath them. For example, an ETL- Sr. Merchant is above ETL-HR and ETL-SL. ETL-Log is over ETL-Replenishment. The org chart of the store you are assigned will explain everything. Pay grades represent a few things or a combo of things. It represents time with Target, steps toward becoming a STL, and/or position held. Typically ETL-Logs, Sr. Merchants, and maybe HR start at a higher paygrade (PG13). These are positions typically held for second assignments or for new hires with high potential.

Business College (your training) will be 6 weeks. During that time you will be at another store training with an ETL. You will learn a little about the ins and outs of a Green process before being let loose with your own team. Usually you don't train at a red or yellow process store so you won't see too many bad habits. If you don't already know, the first day you will be told your position and during the training period you will be told what store you'll be assigned to.

Learn the best practices for your assigned area. Memorize them and know them well. Sometimes they work great, other times you'll have to adjust them to fit the needs of your specific store. Target gives you everything to be successful. They may not give you the resources but they'll show you how it should be done. Most of the thinking is done at the corporate level. They do make mistakes and the ETL/TLs are there to interpret those mistakes as best as possible.

Listen to your TLs, especially if they have years of experience. They will be your greatest asset. Don't go in guns blazing trying to fix a good process. Don't fix what isn't broken. Take it all in for a while and then start making tweaks as needed. Get to know your team by first name. Ask them questions about their life, really get to know them so you better understand their thought process. Get involved, show them that you're not afraid to work. Don't kill yourself either. You won't be able to meet all of the expectations Target has with the payroll they give. Balance leadership and physical work.

Overall Target can be a great place to work or it can be the worst place, depends on your personal experience. Be fair and consistent. Try to improve TMs and build them up to be leaders. Develop new TLs and help promote TLs to ETLs. There's a lot to learn about Target. If I missed anything please ask.

rockchalk said:

Everyone's favorite ETL at our store is very upbeat, positive and makes work enjoyable. She's not afraid to joke with us and even plays some games over the walkies when it's slow (bad decision game - guess the decision the guest was making when abandoning the "chicken nuggets" in the "underwear aisle" or who can find the most out of date ad sign on ad take down night). I think we all work a little harder when she's the LOD because we just appreciate how she treats us. Good luck in your new position!

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This. I love when I read these about ETLs. They need more like these that don't think they are above everyone else. That we are all just humans. AND make coming to work enjoyable. I love my ETL, he's just a pretty good guy and I get along with him very well. He's one of those where you have to work your way up to like him. I didn't like him at first but he grew on me.

i see it from both sides. i get what they're supposed to do, and what they just can't get done, and they are relying on their team.

if you see your scores are low, are you going to talk to the team members, and help them improve? are you going to set them up to succeed? or just tell your tl's you're going to be fired if they don't have proof that they have dealt with the issue?

do you pawn off things that should be handled by you to the tl?

i have an etl that people hate working with because she's strict. i do my shit so i never had any problem with her. people who slack off get called out and call her a bitch.