Retail Lead Store Associate

Curaleaf•Westmont, IL

6d•$20 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

Curaleaf is hiring a full-time Lead Store Associate to help deliver exceptional customer experiences and guide the retail team. The role serves as a brand ambassador and supports store performance while helping maintain a welcoming, compliant, and high-performing retail environment. The position is based at 11 E Odgen Ave, Westmont, Illinois, and requires open availability on weekdays, evenings, weekends, and holidays, with occasional overnight availability. The stated hourly pay range is $19.50–$21.50, plus tips. The Lead Store Associate coaches and supports associates, provides customer guidance and personalized product recommendations, and helps resolve customer concerns. The role also supports store operations, including opening and closing, cash reconciliation, ID verification, POS profile accuracy, inventory control, order fulfillment, audits, and maintaining a clean store. The associate helps achieve sales and KPI goals, trains new hires, provides ongoing feedback, delegates tasks, and acts as a go-to leader when store management is unavailable. The work involves standing and moving for extended periods, routinely walking, talking, hearing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, using hands and fingers, reaching, and lifting up to 25 pounds. Occasional requirements include climbing, balancing, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Close vision is required. The work environment may involve exposure to dust, pollen, and plant pathogens, confined spaces, high stress, and changing conditions.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years old.
High school diploma or GED certificate.
At least 1 year of experience in a customer-facing or sales environment.
At least 1 year of experience using POS systems and handling cash.
At least 6 months of retail leadership experience.
At least 6 months of hands-on retail operations experience, including opening and closing procedures and cash drawer reconciliation.
Curaleaf team members must have at least 6 months of experience as a Store Associate demonstrating consistent performance.
Strong leadership and team-building skills, including the ability to coach and motivate others.
Familiarity with retail standard operating procedures, safety protocols, and loss-prevention practices.
Strong attention to detail, particularly in cash handling and inventory management.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a high-volume, compliance-driven setting.
Availability for a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional overnights.
Ability to multitask and quickly pivot between tasks.
Comfort using technology and learning new operational and customer-interaction tools.
Strong time-management and organizational skills.
Strong de-escalation and conflict-resolution skills, including the ability to redirect upset customers toward a positive experience and handle high-stress situations.
Basic proficiency in mathematics and computer applications.
Solution-driven mindset when working with upset customers.
Ability to support store leadership through initiative and a proactive approach.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of inventory management, systematic merchandise restocking, online and in-store order fulfillment, daily inventory counts, and comprehensive inventory audits.
Sales experience focused on tracking key performance indicators and meeting sales targets.
Previous experience in a regulated retail setting.

Responsibilities

Create a warm, welcoming customer environment and coach associates to provide exceptional service.
Guide associates in building customer relationships through personalized recommendations, product education, active listening, and consultative selling.
Encourage customer enrollment in the rewards program and capture customer insights.
Support associates in resolving customer concerns with empathy and professionalism.
Promote a respectful, inclusive, collaborative, and positive workplace.
Execute opening and closing duties, including daily huddles and cash reconciliation.
Verify customer identification and maintain accurate point-of-sale profiles.
Maintain inventory integrity through accurate transaction processing and order fulfillment.
Lead inventory counts and participate in overnight audits.
Maintain a clean, organized, guest-ready store.
Follow standard operating procedures, safety protocols, and state regulations.
Achieve daily key performance indicator goals through consultative selling and upselling.
Reinforce customer purchase decisions and recommend complementary products.
Stay informed about promotions and product updates.
Guide and support store associates in daily operations and lead by example.
Train new hires and conduct ongoing training sessions.
Provide real-time coaching and feedback to support team performance.
Delegate tasks and act as the go-to leader when store management is absent.
Support conflict resolution and promote a positive workplace culture.
Adapt to a fast-paced environment and take on additional duties as needed.
Work across all store stations according to business needs.