Retail Donor Specialist - Materials Handler Associate

Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee•Jackson, TN

12d

About The Position

The Retail Donor Specialist - Materials Handler Associate supports Goodwill’s donated goods operations by delivering an exceptional donor experience and safely receiving, handling, and moving donated merchandise through backroom operations, including the Donation Express Center (DEC). The role includes donor engagement, material handling, trailer loading, and maintaining efficient workflows that support production and store replenishment. Under the direction of store leadership, the associate balances donor service, safety, productivity, and accuracy in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. The position supports Goodwill’s mission of Changing Lives through Education, Training, and Employment and its values of Teamwork, Respect, Uprightness, and Empowerment. The role involves greeting donors, providing donation receipts and information, assisting with unloading and directions, receiving donated goods under established guidelines, and managing donor flow. Backroom duties include loading, unloading, and staging donated goods; operating forklifts and pallet jacks when trained and authorized; maintaining material flow; and keeping work and equipment areas clean, organized, and ready for operations. The associate follows safety policies, lifting practices, and operational procedures, reports hazards or equipment concerns, and supports a safe and productive workplace. A flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, is required based on business needs. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Ability to balance positive donor interactions with operational and backroom responsibilities.
Ability to consistently follow operational standards, workflows, and safety procedures.
Ability to work safely and accurately in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and move donated goods as required.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Previous experience in retail, donation intake, production, warehouse, or customer-facing roles preferred, but not required.
Experience in fast-paced, high-volume, quota or production, or warehouse environments with service, productivity, accuracy, and quality expectations preferred.
Experience supporting donors or customers in a community-facing role while performing donation processing, material handling, or backroom operations preferred.
Prior nonprofit or mission-based retail experience is a plus.
Bilingual language skills preferred.

Responsibilities

Deliver the GREAT donor experience by greeting donors, offering accurate donation receipts, providing excellent service, assisting donors, and thanking them.
Greet donors professionally and create a welcoming first impression at the donation site.
Receive donated goods in accordance with donation acceptance, safety, and operational guidelines.
Provide basic information about donation procedures and Goodwill’s mission impact.
Assist donors with unloading, directions, or questions and manage donor flow safely and efficiently.
Handle and move donated merchandise safely and accurately to support processing, production, and store replenishment.
Load, unload, and stage donated goods, including trailers and trucks.
Operate forklifts and pallet jacks when trained and authorized.
Keep backroom, staging, equipment, and trailer areas organized, clean, and operationally ready.
Perform routine housekeeping and keep work areas free of hazards.
Follow safety policies, proper lifting techniques, housekeeping standards, and operational procedures.
Monitor surroundings and promptly report safety hazards, equipment concerns, or operational issues to leadership.
Support a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Maintain a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on business needs.
Perform other duties as assigned to support donor experience, backroom operations, and store performance.