Retail Sales Specialist, Cornell Retail Services

Cornell University•Ithaca, MI

9d•$23 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

The Retail Sales Specialist at The Cornell Store's Ithaca Commons location plays a key role in creating a welcoming, engaging shopping experience in the heart of Downtown Ithaca. Partnering with the Store Manager, this role supports a fast-paced retail operation generating approximately $1 million in annual sales and serving local residents, Cornell students, alumni, visitors, and tourists from around the world. No two days are the same- from helping customers find the perfect item and sharing product knowledge to keeping the store visually engaging and fully stocked for busy events and seasonal traffic. In this role, you'll actively engage customers through exceptional service and sales support, operate point-of-sale systems with accuracy, maintain attractive visual merchandising displays, and assist with receiving and restocking merchandise. The Retail Sales Specialist also helps train and support student and temporary team members, contributing to a collaborative and positive workplace culture. The ideal candidate enjoys interacting with people, thrives in a dynamic retail environment, can balance multiple priorities, and takes pride in creating memorable customer experiences. While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent with at least one year of experience in a retail environment or an equivalent combination or education and experience.
Competency with computer/systems use.
Ability to occasionally climb ladders and lift and/or move 25-50 pounds as needed.
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage, assist, and build rapport with customers and fellow employees.
Customer service oriented with a proactive, sales-focused mindset.
Great attention to detail and organization in maintaining store appearance and managing merchandise.
Value teamwork and collaboration when supporting coworkers and contributing to store operations.
Adaptable and take initiative when managing changing and competing priorities.

Nice To Haves

College coursework, an Associate's degree or other formal training is preferred.
Additional work experience in business management, hospitality, fashion/design, and/or other related fields.
Prior experience with point-of-sale (POS) systems.

Responsibilities

Actively engage customers through exceptional service and sales support.
Operate point-of-sale systems with accuracy.
Maintain attractive visual merchandising displays.
Assist with receiving and restocking merchandise.
Help train and support student and temporary team members.
Foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.