Store Associate - Part-Time

The Salvation Army is a branch of the Christian Church and the ultimate goal of all programs is spiritual regeneration of all people.

The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer.

SCOPE OF POSITION:

Assist in the operation of the retail store to include: Excellent customer service driven retail sales and showroom standards, completing daily "open" & "close" tasks to prepare cash desk for efficient operation, accurate money handling including ability to accurately process credit card and voucher sales, cashiering (accurately enter correct sales categories in register including taxes, ability to understand register operations and read reports), showroom floor operations including hanging clothes according to size, color and garment type as well as maintain date cycles, understand retail floor zone assignments, ability to stock all categories of inventory from bric/brac to books, cleaning, arranging/visual merchandising, helping load out purchased merchandise and separate load-in donations as received, communication with staff-volunteers-supervisors-customers. Adhere to uniform, cell phone, break and smoking policies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

MAINTENANCE / CUSTODIAL

• The SA will ensure proper safety, cleanliness, care and maintenance of the retail sales floor (Showroom).

• Responsible for reporting areas in need of service or care to lead cashier or supervisor.
• Work as team member to maintain all public areas of retail showroom, restrooms and cash desk for cleanliness

FLOOR STOCK / MERCHANDISING / SALES & PROMOTION

• Ensure customer service standards are at the highest level.
• Communicate with all customers and team members with pleasant demeanor and professional attitude.
• Provide friendly, courteous and respectful customer service to all "guests" (paying &

non-paying store visitors). Work to provide answers when possible, to customer questions and inquiries.

• Ability to communicate basic information about the many Salvation Army programs or ability to provide direction to the appropriate person(s) to answer specifics of social services available in the community.
• The Store Associate will ensure the frequent changing and upgrading of all store displays ensuring that all floor stock is attractively organized and frequently rearranged so as to cultivate customer interest (Visual Merchandising).
• Present ideas for ways to improve and enhance the customer service experience and create an attractive showroom
• Clothing racks and other stock fixtures are to be kept full of current merchandise at all times.
• Understand the retail floor zone assignments, showroom floor operations including hanging clothes according to size, color and garment type, ability to stock all categories of inventory from bric/brac to books. All clothing must maintain date cycles, dated & color-coded tagging and will remain on the sales floor at full and mark-down prices for specific periods. It will be "ragged out" (removed) in a timely manner in general accordance with standard Salvation Army Thrift Store practices.
• The SA is not authorized to reduce or negotiate prices. Items which are normally baled

or recycled such as clothing, linens, books, shoes, purses, belts, etc. will be marked down to a pre-agreed upon sale percentage and frequency with the Manager.

CUSTOMER / COMMUNITY RELATIONS

• The SA is responsible to positively acknowledge and treat all customers in a courteous and professional manner.
• Providing excellent customer service includes an understanding of customer complaints. All issues or concerns will be handled in a courteous, kind and respectful manner by all staff. If the Cashier should personally encounter complaints with regard to the sales floor they must immediately notify the Store Manager or Supervisor and communicate accurately the facts surrounding the complaint and the disposition thereof. Failure to handle complaints promptly and properly may be grounds for disciplinary action.
• All interactions should be immediately documented in an accurate summary, in clear writing, to define the details and facts.

PRODUCTION / RECYCLING:

• Peruse donation areas to identify items for recycling potential.
• Gather recycling donations, placing items in the proper processing areas.
• Maintain a clean work area and secure tools for both recycling and facility improvement operations.
• Empty trash bins as needed.
• Processing of recycling donations, identification, pricing, and sorting.
• Assess best option for electronic donations: eCommerce, recycling, showroom sales. Make repairs to donated or TSA owned property and equipment when possible.
• Mentor and train donation receiving staff/volunteers on items that are donated that have recycling or sales potential.
• Maintain recycling bins, keeping categories well defined.
• Monitor donations for items that can be used as a part of facility improvement plan.

• Must be available to attend all regularly scheduled and mandatory staff meetings regardless of whether they are outside a scheduled shift or standard work day.
• Must perform all other duties as assigned by a supervisor.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

High School degree or equivalent

• Demonstrated knowledge of cash controls and cashier procedures
• Retail experience preferred
• Ability and willingness to learn new methods to improve skills and proficiency

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Detail oriented and attention to detail
• Team player with a spirit of cooperation and work with all supervisors, staff, volunteers and customers towards achieving store goals set by management
• Self-starter, ability to problem solve or seek assistance when needed
• Strong use of the English language in verbal and written communication
• Good organizational skills to support effective time management
• Ability to work with the public in a professional manner that is courteous and respectful
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and maintain poise under pressure
• Customer service mindset
• Strong knowledge of cash controls and cashier procedures including credit card sales, vouchers and ability to operate registers accurately with accountability
• General knowledge of business protocols for safe, efficient operations
• Ability and willingness to keep information confidential
• Must complete and adhere to Protecting the Mission requirements and guidelines

SOFTWARE-RELATED SKILLS:

• Cash register skills preferred
• Ability to use internet for research is helpful

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis
• Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time on a hard floor
• Ability to continuously grasp, push, pull objects and reach overhead
• Ability to repetitively lift 35 to 50 lbs
• Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead for duties such as stocking store shelves
• Ability to operate cash register and telephone
• Ability to understand and produce written information such as research and donation receipts

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in a store and warehouse environment where staff may be subject to physical discomforts associated with changes in weather or discomfort associated with noise, dust, dirt and similar.

Work Schedule / Location:

Work schedules will vary, Monday through Sunday, typically between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM

The Salvation Army reserves the right to reassign, review the job or to require that different or additional tasks be performed based on the organization's need or when circumstances change.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is a reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

THE SALVATION ARMY 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 love for God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in his name without discrimination.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to providing a respectful environment for all applicants and employees that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. Such equal opportunity for employment will apply to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, salaries and other compensation, transfers and layoffs or termination.