3 Store Managers Reflect on Spring Hire and Life at Lowe’s (2024)

Lowe’s store managers spend months preparing for spring hire, working overtime to ensure their store is fully equipped to serve customers during home improvement’s busiest season. Hailing from diverse backgrounds and career journeys, they’re a wealth of knowledge for potential applicantsyear-round. Here, three Lowe’s store managers reflect on their careers and share their best tips for seasonal associates.

Buffie Johnson, Oxford, Ala.

Buffie Johnson started her Lowe’s career in 1992 as a temporary cashier during college, where she was studying to become a defense attorney. Fast forward to today, and Buffie has been with the company for nearly 30 years. Before becoming a store manager in 2002, Buffie held roles as a department supervisor and assistant store manager over every department in the store — truly an expert in all things Lowe’s Life.

Buffie offers a few questions to help you expand upon your customer service mindset. “How will you be truly customer-focused? How do you recognize the needs of those around you, and when have you gone out of your way to help someone with a task?"

From the other side of the interview table, Buffie offers the same kind of clarity about working at Lowe’s as a seasonal associate. "Lowe's is a different creature than any other retailer,” she says. “You may be assigned to a department, but at any given time, you might be assigned to another department. We do a lot of cross-training. I want you to know how much multitasking you are going to do!"

Especially for spring hires, who are likely to work at some point in the Garden Center, Buffie stresses the physical nature of the job. “It might be hot, and you might get dirty… but we're going to make sure you stay comfortable and hydrated all day long, with misters, plenty of water and breaks.”

As a final note, Buffie wants every potential applicant to know that their safety is our number one priority, and that Lowe’s provides every associate with daily masks and gloves. No one is expected to buy their own safety gear, and stores follow rigorous cleaning and health protocols.

Cody McGee, Wheeling, W.Va.

Cody McGee joined Lowe’s in 2013 as a seasonal Garden Center associate, planning to work for just the summer between semesters at college. He liked it so much that he stayed on, and eightyears later, Cody is a few months into his tenure as a store manager in Wheeling, W.Va.

With his own career as an example, the number one thing Cody emphasizes with potential associates is the career development available for you at Lowe’s.

"I started with the company eight years ago as seasonal associate," he says."I know a lot of people throughout this company who have done the same thing. We take pride in that. You can make a career out of it and raise a family with Lowe's."

Cody notes that the home improvement industry has grown, not just in size, but in stability as well – creating new opportunities at companies like Lowe's.

"I always like to share that we're a company that really prioritizes development and promoting from within," he says."This doesn't have to be a seasonal job. This can be your home and your career."

Gary McCoy, Charlotte, NC

McCoy joined Lowe’s seven years ago as a weekday part-time associate and worked his way up to his current position as store manager in Charlotte, N.C. McCoy sees seasonal hiring as an excellent opportunity to round out his team for the long term and introduce potential associates to life at Lowe’s.

When asked what he looks for in spring hires, his answer is simple.

"A great attitude," McCoy says."If you come in and smile and you have a hunger for knowledge and a sense of what great customer service is, we can teach you any other skills you need."

McCoy stresses that if you're able and willing to work full-time, passion is your best ally.

"We can flex hours to the maximum to find and adjust fit," McCoy says. "If an employee is doing their job to the maximum and showing great enthusiasm, we'll give them the maximum number of hours."

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If you're ready to see where a seasonal role at Lowe’s could take your career, start your search today.Discoveropportunities near you, and make Lowe’s your home for spring and beyond.