Retail Associate

Southern States Cooperative•Creedmoor, NC

About The Position

The Retail Associate learns and develops skills to perform a specialized role or cross-train in multiple areas. The role relies on teamwork, prioritizing customer needs, and following operating procedures, and is performed under direct supervision. Depending on location, essential functions may include cashiering, merchandising and sales, warehouse work, plant nursery care, and/or delivery driving. The complexity of duties increases with grade level. The associate supports customers by welcoming them, helping locate merchandise, referring customers to senior team members when specialized assistance is needed, answering calls, and communicating information about orders, product availability, sales, promotions, and store events. The role may include replenishing and organizing merchandise, assisting with signage and pricing, processing checkout transactions, filling customer orders, receiving and inspecting shipments, managing inventory, and delivering or loading merchandise. At locations with garden centers, duties may also include maintaining plant material through watering, pruning, deadheading, and rotation. Associates learn and follow standard operating procedures; operate assigned tools and equipment; communicate with co-workers and supervisors; participate in training; monitor entrances and exits for safety and security; maintain a clean facility; and perform work safely in accordance with company policies, PPE requirements, OSHA regulations, and environmental health and safety standards. Work environments may include climate-controlled areas, warehouses subject to seasonal temperature and humidity changes, and outdoor areas exposed to weather. Schedules vary by location and may include extended hours or alternate work schedules. Timely attendance, including in adverse weather, is required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Effective communication skills.
Ability to learn and consistently follow facility guidelines and standard operating procedures.
Ability to learn and apply knowledge of a variety of merchandise.
Ability to learn and use equipment and tools, including forklifts and/or point-of-sale terminals.
Ability to perform arithmetic with whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals, including calculating percentages.
Attention to detail when handling inventory, equipment, tools, or cash transactions.
Ability to demonstrate customer-focused interpersonal skills, teamwork, and flexibility to meet customer and business needs.
Proficient ability to speak, read, and write English.
Ability to work extended hours and/or alternate schedules.
Ability to report to work on time, including in adverse weather conditions.
May be required to safely operate a company motor vehicle and comply with the company motor vehicle safety policy.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, which may include prolonged standing, walking, bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements, and lifting or carrying loads up to 100 pounds, sometimes with assistance.
Ability to speak with co-workers and customers about operations and safety, hear calls, radio communications, equipment and vehicle sounds, and meet specified vision requirements.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with agriculture, plant science, equine, livestock, pet care, or retail and inventory management.

Responsibilities

Welcome customers professionally and provide attentive, customer-focused assistance.
Help customers locate merchandise and connect them with senior team members for specialized assistance.
Replenish, face, and organize merchandise; assist with signage, pricing, and shelf labeling.
Process checkout transactions using point-of-sale equipment and handle cash accurately; perform more complex transactions with assistance as needed.
Fill customer orders, use appropriate equipment and tools, and load customer vehicles as needed.
Receive and inspect warehouse merchandise and paperwork, report errors or damage, unload and store goods, and stage merchandise for restocking, deliveries, or customer pickup.
Assist with physical inventory counts in the showroom and/or warehouse.
Deliver merchandise to customer locations and operate company delivery vehicles according to procedures and government regulations, where required.
Answer incoming calls courteously and communicate information about order status, product availability, sales, promotions, and store events.
Maintain plant material in the garden center through watering, deadheading, pruning, movement, and rotation, where required.
Learn and apply standard operating procedures and develop skills in sales, merchandising, inventory support, and/or facility maintenance.
Learn and safely operate assigned tools and equipment, including point-of-sale terminals, scanners, forklifts, and pallet jacks.
Communicate with co-workers and supervisors about assignments, contribute to department efforts, and provide or request assistance as needed.
Participate in on-the-job training, online courses, classes, and coaching opportunities offered by the employer or required by the supervisor.
Monitor entrances and exits for store safety and security, help minimize merchandise loss, and escalate potential concerns to store leadership.
Perform daily housekeeping duties to maintain a neat, clean, and welcoming environment.
Work safely, use required personal protective equipment, operate equipment according to policy and regulations, and comply with OSHA and company EHS standards and policies.
Perform other job functions as assigned.