Retail Donor Specialist - Materials Handler Associate

Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee•Hendersonville, TN

13d

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 (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 role aligns with Goodwill’s mission of Changing Lives through Education, Training, and Employment and its values of Teamwork, Respect, Uprightness, and Empowerment.

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.
Experience in retail, donation intake, production, warehouse, or customer-facing roles.
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.

Responsibilities

Deliver the GREAT donor experience by greeting donors, offering donation receipts accurately, providing excellent service, assisting donors as needed, and thanking them.
Greet donors courteously 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, and manage donor flow to maintain a safe, efficient, customer-friendly environment.
Handle and move donated merchandise safely and accurately within 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, following 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, or operational issues promptly to leadership.
Support a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement in backroom operations.
Work 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.