Retail Associate

MISSION STATEMENT: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

POSITION TITLE: Retail Associate

DEPARTMENT: Retail

REPORTS TO: Assistant Manager/Lead Retail Associate

FLSA STATUS: Part-Time; Non-Exempt / 25 hours per week

SCOPE OF POSITION:
The Retail Associate is responsible for handling cash, making changes, operating cash registers, and charge card machines while maintaining accuracy and efficiency. Safely handles all goods and materials, marking and moving merchandise as part of the Thrift Store’s day-to-day operations. They assist the public with donations of goods and check-out customers in a timely, courteous, pleasant, and efficient manner. Additionally, they ensure the store and donation area are clean and neat, performing basic janitorial duties to maintain safe working conditions. The Retail Associate also helps with handling, pricing, and moving merchandise in daily store operations and prepares and maintains store grounds concerning snow, ice, and trash.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High school graduate or equivalent

2. Previous experience working in a warehouse or retail environment (preferred)

3. Ability to carry out oral and written instructions with a minimum of supervision

4. Some knowledge of inventory control, retail sales, and loss prevention

5. Ability to operate a cash register, credit card machines, and handle monetary transactions

6. Skill in maintaining excellent customer service by giving prompt and courteous assistance to customers and donors

7. Ability to use equipment and systems such as a computer, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel), telephone system, point of sale system, and time clock

8. Demonstrate communication and interpersonal skills as well as able to perform basic reading, writing, and mathematical skills.

9. Knowledge of merchandise pricing

10. Able to work/interact effectively with the public, co-workers, and volunteers

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCITONS:

1. Maintain cash register, ring in sales, issue credit slips, and make corrections and/or voids. Accept money, make change, and verify checks and credit cards accurately and efficiently

2. Respond to telephone inquiries

3. Receive and assist in resolving complaints from customers regarding merchandise

4. Provide for excellent customer relations by giving prompt and courteous assistance to customers

5. Ensuring that all merchandise has been properly priced

6. Stock store, including, but not limited to, sorting, hanging, pricing, merchandising, and discarding of non-usable items. Pull items that are outdated, label and return them back to the warehouse

7. Price inspected goods and prepare them for placement on the sales floor

8. Receive acceptable donated materials and courteously reject materials designated as unacceptable.

9. Sanitize furniture and domestics as required

10.Attend staff meetings as required and stay informed of new policies and directives

11. Assist with the loss prevention program, reporting all incidents of loss to the Store Manager in a timely manner

12. Report safety hazards; assist in the protection of the property and the building, and help to ensure store and warehouse cleanliness inside and out

13. Handle and sort donated materials as well as ensuring the security of the donation area, donation trailer, and trash trailer

14. Assess the condition and value of goods quickly and accurately

15. Maintain a clean and safe work area

16. Perform other related duties as assigned

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed inside and outside the store and warehouse building. Exposure to hot and cold temperatures and inclement weather is a condition of this job. The noise level is generally low to medium. Hearing protection may be worn when working around operating machinery. No hazardous waste, paint, cleaners, stains, poisons, batteries, or oils are allowed to be introduced into the work environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Speaking, sitting, bending, walking, pushing, pulling, standing, kneeling, stooping, reaching, handling, fingering, climbing, and balancing. Maintain the ability to grasp, push, and pull objects such as boxes or furniture, reach overhead, and carry store supplies. Hearing and visual acuity must be within normal limits. Lifting and moving objects weighing up to 50 lbs. Ability to learn and adhere to proper lifting techniques, always wearing a back brace when lifting heavy items. Maintain the ability to operate a computer, telephone, and similar technologies.

Qualified individuals must