Lead Retail Sales Associate

Sunnyside•Newark, OH

About The Position

The Lead Retail Sales Associate (described in the posting as Lead Wellness Advisor) advises recreational and medicinal customers and caregivers on cannabis product selection, serving as an ambassador for Sunnyside and Cresco Labs. The role sets an example in customer service, product knowledge, and compliance, and assists with onboarding and training Wellness Advisors while upholding company and regulatory requirements. This is a dynamic retail role combining customer service, teamwork, technical skills, and problem solving. The Lead Wellness Advisor supports store operations, including sales-floor and inventory activities, cash and point-of-sale procedures, opening and closing tasks, and maintaining a clean, organized, secure, and compliant dispensary. Dispensaries are typically open seven days a week, and flexibility across opening and closing shifts, weekends, and holidays is valued.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
1–2 years of customer service experience.
Flexibility to work shifts that may include opening, closing, weekends, and holidays.
Excellent customer service skills and ability to engage with customers.
Ability to learn and apply technical and product-related information in a professional, consultative manner.
Ability to learn and understand cannabinoids and how they interact with the human body.
Ability to lift, carry, and balance up to 50 pounds, or 100 pounds with assistance.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Must comply with legal and company regulations for working in the industry.
Must be legally authorized to work permanently in the United States without current or future employment-based visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Cannabis experience is preferred.
Experience leading and managing hourly team members, including recruiting, onboarding, training, employee relations, and coaching.
Knowledge of retail business fundamentals such as scheduling, identifying sales trends, and business writing and reporting.
Skills in conflict resolution, self-discipline, critical thinking, and problem solving.
Skills in interviewing, talent selection, and talent management of hourly team members.

Responsibilities

Assist Wellness Advisors with customer consultations and standard questions or complaints.
Educate customers about cannabis products and their varying effects on the human body to support product selection.
Use selling and cross-selling techniques to build customer baskets.
Verify customer documentation and identification.
Verify orders for accuracy, perform bag and receipt checks, and ensure orders are dispensed promptly.
Label and package customer orders.
Handle cash accurately in the company Point of Sale system and follow Standard Operating Procedures.
Investigate cash, POS, or product discrepancies and escalate or record them appropriately.
Troubleshoot technical issues or glitches in the POS system.
Maintain accurate records of dispensary activity, including customer records, sales, deliveries, and returns, in accordance with regulations and company standards.
Perform routine inventory counts and ensure product stock is organized and compliant.
Assist managers with sales-floor merchandise organization and product displays.
Follow store security measures and safety requirements according to company SOPs.
Help keep the store clean and organized for customers and team members.
Assist with onboarding and training Wellness Advisors and support day-to-day compliance with company policies, procedures, and state and local laws.
Escalate employee relations issues promptly to management.
Perform store opening and closing tasks as needed, including preparing registers, managing morning and closing inventory, and completing inventory reports.
Complete shift checklists.