Retail Associate

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory • Grand Rapids, MI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Retail Associate at The Salvation Army Thrift Store provides customer service and helps keep the store organized while processing and accepting donations. The role supports a welcoming shopping experience for customers and donors, and helps turn donations into funding for community programs. The position is part-time, scheduled for 25 hours per week, with evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled. The associate must be available for early and late shifts and may be temporarily assigned to other stores as needed. Paid training on register and store procedures, plus ongoing coaching and support from store leadership, is provided.

Requirements

• Ability to provide friendly customer service.
• Ability to process donated merchandise.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Basic communication and teamwork skills.
• Basic math and computer skills.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to stand and walk for most of the shift.
• Ability to bend, reach, and lift or move merchandise throughout the day.
• High school diploma or currently pursuing one.
• Ability to regularly lift and move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and move up to 100 pounds.
• Ability to walk, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, and crouch as needed.
• Ability to work in various weather conditions, including outdoor exposure.

Nice To Haves

• Previous retail, cashier, customer service, or thrift store experience.
• Experience using a point-of-sale system.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a friendly, professional demeanor with customers, donors, co-workers, leadership, and field personnel.
• Provide customer service on the sales floor, at the donation area, and during assigned store activities.
• Operate the point-of-sale system, complete sales transactions, manage an assigned cash drawer, and follow cash-handling policies.
• Implement store opening and closing procedures as assigned.
• Assist donors by providing receipts, collecting required information, tracking donations according to center policy, and courteously explaining when items cannot be accepted.
• Sort, process, hang, tag, price, and prepare donated merchandise according to production goals and assigned timelines.
• Identify and set aside items for eCommerce sales as assigned.
• Stock, straighten, clean, organize, and maintain sales-floor, work, donation, and storage areas.
• Move priced merchandise to the sales floor, display areas, stock areas, or designated shipping locations as assigned.
• Assist with receiving, loading, unloading, sorting, and moving donations or merchandise, including Salvation Army trucks, as assigned.
• Complete bank runs and other assigned duties in accordance with Salvation Army policy.
• Follow policies regarding merchandise handling, pricing, sales, donor service, safety, dress code, and workplace conduct.
• Work a flexible schedule that may include early and late shifts, Saturdays, some holidays, and temporary assignments to other stores.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Paid training on register and store procedures.
• Ongoing coaching and support from store leadership.
• Employee discount.
• Employee Assistance Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED