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 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 to meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests if the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

SOFTWARE-RELATED SKILLS:
Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook familiarity preferred. Working knowledge of integrated database applications and ability to use new software programs with basic training.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Must be able to understand, follow, and give both written and oral instructions and be comfortable working with diverse individuals in face-to-face contact and over the telephone. The employee must be able to use speech and hearing for ordinary and telephone conversation.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Must be able to perform simple calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and apply concepts such as ratios and percentages in practical situations.

PERFORMANCE SKILLS:
Must be punctual, organized, self-motivated, flexible, and possess a desire to learn and assist those he/she interacts with.

PROTECT THE MISSION:
Must complete the online course and pass the background checks as required by The Salvation Army for employment.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RELIGIOUS PURPOSES OF THE SALVATION ARMY:
The employee acknowledges that he/she has been informed and understands The Salvation Army’s religious purpose and status as a church. The employee agrees that he/she shall do nothing to his/her relationship with The Salvation Army as an employee to undermine its religious mission. The employee agrees and understands that his/her services are a necessary part of The Army’s religious purposes, and his/her work-related conduct must not conflict with, interfere with, or undermine such religious programs or The Army’s religious purposes.