Retail Donor Specialist - Materials Handler Associate

Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee•Franklin, TN

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Retail Donor Specialist - Materials Handler Associate supports Goodwill’s donated goods operations by providing a positive donor experience and safely receiving, handling, and moving donated merchandise through backroom operations, including the Donation Express Center. Under store leadership, the role balances donor service, safety, productivity, and accuracy in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. The position operates in alignment with Goodwill’s mission of Changing Lives through Education, Training, and Employment and its values of Teamwork, Respect, Uprightness, and Empowerment. The role includes welcoming donors, receiving donations according to established guidelines, assisting with unloading and questions, and managing donor flow. It also supports material flow for processing, production, and store replenishment; loads, unloads, and stages donations; and maintains clean, organized, safe backroom, staging, equipment, and trailer areas. The associate follows safety procedures and operational standards, reports hazards or concerns, and maintains a flexible schedule based on business needs.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Previous experience in retail, donation intake, production, warehouse, or customer-facing roles is preferred but not required.
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

Experience in fast-paced, high-volume, quota or production, or warehouse environments with service, productivity, accuracy, and quality expectations.
Experience supporting donors or customers in a community-facing role while performing donation processing, material handling, or backroom operations.
Prior nonprofit or mission-based retail experience.
Bilingual language skills.
High school diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Deliver the GREAT donor experience by greeting donors promptly, 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, and questions while ensuring a safe and positive donation experience.
Manage donor flow to maintain safety and efficiency, including during peak periods.
Handle and move donated merchandise safely and accurately through backroom operations and donation areas.
Maintain material flow to support processing, production, and store replenishment.
Load, unload, and stage donated goods, including trailers and trucks, according to safety and operational standards.
Operate forklifts and pallet jacks when trained and authorized.
Keep backroom, staging, equipment, and trailer areas organized, clean, and ready for daily workflow.
Perform routine housekeeping and keep work areas free of hazards.
Follow safety guidelines, housekeeping standards, lifting practices, and operational procedures.
Report safety hazards, equipment concerns, and operational issues promptly 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.